United Airlines Earnings Preview: Analyst Upgrades and Insights

Author: Thomas Cooper Updated: 10-14-2025 08:48 AM

United Airlines Earnings Report Overview

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: UAL) is on the brink of announcing its third-quarter earnings results. Investors and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating these numbers, especially as the company is projected to report a decrease in earnings per share compared to the previous year.

Expected Earnings Decline

Analysts expect United Airlines to report earnings of $2.68 per share, which reflects a significant decline from $3.33 per share in the same quarter last year. Despite this dip in profits, the airline's projected quarterly revenue shows some positive growth, with estimates indicating $15.29 billion, up from $14.84 billion previously.

Partnership with Maplebear Inc.

In a move that could attract more customers, United Airlines has recently partnered with Maplebear Inc. (NASDAQ: CART), operating under the Instacart brand. This collaboration allows MileagePlus members to earn rewards and take advantage of new shopping perks while using Instacart's services.

Stock Market Performance

As anticipation builds for the company's earnings report, United Airlines shares have seen a modest increase, closing at $99.25. This reflects a 2.7% uptick as investors remain optimistic about the airline's performance, despite the expected earnings drop.

Analyst Ratings and Insights

Recent Analyst Upgrades

Analyst sentiment towards United Airlines has been generally positive, with several firms revising their price targets upward:

Christopher Stathoulopoulos from Susquehanna has maintained a Positive rating and increased the price target to $115.
Barclays' Brandon Oglenski holds an Overweight rating, raising the target to $115 as well.
Sheila Kahyaoglu from Jefferies has a Buy rating, elevating her price target from $115 to $125.
UBS's Thomas Wadewitz kept a Buy rating and increased the target to $131.
Jamie Baker of JP Morgan maintained an Overweight rating, significantly raising the target from $122 to $149.

Overall Analyst Sentiment

With these upgraded ratings, analysts express confidence in United Airlines' potential long-term growth, despite short-term earnings challenges. The airline's strategies to enhance customer loyalty and incremental revenue avenues suggest a proactive approach to future market trends.

Considerations for Investors

For those contemplating the purchase of UAL stock, it’s essential to weigh the current analyst opinions alongside the forthcoming earnings results. A mixed bag of earnings expectations and positive market sentiment could present both risks and opportunities for current and prospective investors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the expected earnings per share for United Airlines?

The expected earnings per share for United Airlines is $2.68.

How does this earnings expectation compare to last year?

This represents a decline from $3.33 per share reported in the same quarter last year.

What major partnership has United Airlines recently formed?

United Airlines has partnered with Maplebear Inc., allowing MileagePlus members to earn rewards through Instacart.

What is the current stock price of United Airlines?

The current stock price is $99.25, showing a 2.7% increase recently.

How are analysts rating United Airlines stock?

Analysts have been generally positive, with multiple upgrades to price targets, signaling confidence in the airline's future performance.

About The Author

Hello, I'm Thomas Cooper, a financial expert and writer passionate about helping people understand and navigate the financial world. Having a solid financial background and a lot of experience, my area of expertise is simplifying difficult financial ideas into useful, understandable guidance. My goal with my writings and blog entries is to provide you the information and resources you need to make wise financial choices.

I am thrilled to contribute my ideas and engage with a lively investor community at Investors Hangout, where I recently joined the team. My mission is to make finance interesting and approachable so you may take charge of your financial future. I appreciate you coming along on this path to success and financial knowledge.

Contact Thomas Cooper privately here. Or send an email with ATTN: Thomas Cooper as the subject to contact@investorshangout.com.

About Investors Hangout

Investors Hangout is a leading online stock forum for financial discussion and learning, offering a wide range of free tools and resources. It draws in traders of all levels, who exchange market knowledge, investigate trading tactics, and keep an eye on industry developments in real time. Featuring financial articles, stock message boards, quotes, charts, company profiles, and live news updates. Through cooperative learning and a wealth of informational resources, it helps users from novices creating their first portfolios to experts honing their techniques. Join Investors Hangout today: https://investorshangout.com/

The content of this article is based on factual, publicly available information and does not represent legal, financial, or investment advice. Investors Hangout does not offer financial advice, and the author is not a licensed financial advisor. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial or investment decisions based on this article. This article should not be considered advice to purchase, sell, or hold any securities or other investments. If any of the material provided here is inaccurate, please contact us for corrections.