TD Cowen Issues Positive Forecast for United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Stock Price

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) had its price target increased by analysts at TD Cowen from $138.00 to $140.00 in a report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “buy” rating on the transportation company’s stock. TD Cowen’s price target would indicate a potential upside of 23.85% from the stock’s previous close.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on United Airlines from $115.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of United Airlines from $149.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Argus lowered their price target on shares of United Airlines from $140.00 to $135.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Weiss Ratings cut United Airlines from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on United Airlines from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Fifteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $135.62.

United Airlines Price Performance

NASDAQ:UAL traded up $2.08 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $113.04. 2,826,981 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,843,346. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.61. The company has a market capitalization of $36.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.05, a P/E/G ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.31. The business has a 50 day moving average of $107.58 and a 200 day moving average of $100.77. United Airlines has a 1-year low of $52.00 and a 1-year high of $119.21.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 20th. The transportation company reported $3.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.13. United Airlines had a net margin of 5.68% and a return on equity of 26.00%. The firm had revenue of $15.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.35 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.26 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. United Airlines has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.000-1.500 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 12.000-14.000 EPS. Research analysts forecast that United Airlines will post 12.96 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Airlines

In other United Airlines news, CEO J Scott Kirby sold 120,000 shares of United Airlines stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.86, for a total transaction of $12,943,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 666,535 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $71,892,465.10. The trade was a 15.26% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of United Airlines

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Consulate Inc. acquired a new stake in United Airlines during the third quarter worth $29,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in United Airlines in the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Airlines during the third quarter worth about $34,000. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in United Airlines by 51.4% in the 4th quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 318 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the period. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of United Airlines by 1,304.3% during the 4th quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 323 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. 69.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key United Airlines News

Here are the key news stories impacting United Airlines this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat and outlook — United posted Q4 revenue of $15.4B and adjusted EPS of $3.10 (above estimates) and updated FY?2026 guidance to $12.00–$14.00 EPS (midpoint $13), supporting higher earnings expectations. PR Newswire: UAL Q4 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Demand momentum — management and the CEO cited record bookings and strong 2026 demand, with premium cabins and corporate travel driving higher yields and revenue momentum. This commentary supports continued profit expansion. MSN: CEO flags record bookings
• Positive Sentiment: Loyalty and premium mix — loyalty revenue grew ~10% in Q4 (9% for FY?2025), and premium/corporate demand outpaced overall sales, underpinning margin resilience and higher ancillary revenue per passenger. PYMNTS: Loyalty revenue growth
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst target update — Argus trimmed its price target from $140 to $135 but kept a “buy” rating (still implying meaningful upside). The cut is modest and the rating remains positive, so impact is mixed. The Fly: Argus target lowered
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor caution — analysis such as Seeking Alpha notes UAL still faces structural and external headwinds (including a ~$250M hit from the government shutdown) and may need a re?rating to reflect sustained multiple expansion. Seeking Alpha: Still waiting for a rerating
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive/operational risk — escalating network competition at hubs (e.g., Chicago O’Hare dispute with American) could pressure yields or require defensive capacity/marketing decisions that weigh on near?term margins. MSN: O’Hare competition

About United Airlines

United Airlines Holdings, Inc operates United Airlines, a major U.S. full-service passenger carrier providing scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo. The company offers a comprehensive route network that covers domestic markets across the United States as well as extensive international service to Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific. United operates a mixed fleet of narrow- and wide-body aircraft on point-to-point and hub-and-spoke routes, and supports corporate and leisure travel through offerings such as premium cabins, basic economy, and ancillary services including baggage, seat selection and in-flight amenities.

In addition to passenger operations, United provides cargo services through United Cargo, handling freight, mail and specialized shipments.