United Airlines Reports Q4 Earnings Beat Despite Challenges
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 16 2024
0mins
Should l Buy UAL?
Source: MarketWatch
United Airlines' stock fell 3.03% and hit a 20-day low amid broader market gains, with the Nasdaq-100 up 0.91% and the S&P 500 up 0.45%.
The company reported a Q4 2025 earnings beat, achieving profitability despite a $250 million pretax headwind. This performance reflects effective cost management strategies and may enhance United's competitive positioning in the aviation sector, potentially attracting more customers and boosting investor confidence.
This earnings performance signals a positive outlook for United Airlines, suggesting that the company is well-positioned for future growth and may continue to invest in expansion and service quality improvements.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy UAL?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on UAL
Wall Street analysts forecast UAL stock price to rise
16 Analyst Rating
15 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 114.020
Low
115.00
Averages
139.07
High
156.00
Current: 114.020
Low
115.00
Averages
139.07
High
156.00
About UAL
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. is a holding company. The Company transports people and cargo throughout North America and to destinations in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Pacific, the Middle East and Latin America. The Company, through United Airlines, Inc., and its regional carriers, operates across six continents, with hubs at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Denver International Airport (DEN), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and A.B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM). Its hub and spoke system allow it to transport passengers between a large number of destinations with frequent services. The Company has contractual relationships with various regional carriers to provide regional aircraft service branded as United Express. It provides freight and mail transportation services (Air Cargo).
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
U.S. Stocks Close Mixed, Apple Shares Rise on Product Launch News
- Market Performance Fluctuates: On Tuesday, the S&P 500 rose by 0.10%, the Dow Jones increased by 0.07%, while the Nasdaq 100 fell by 0.13%, indicating a mixed market recovery from early losses, with the Nasdaq 100 hitting a 2.75-month low, reflecting investor caution towards tech stocks.
- Apple Product Launch Boost: Apple shares surged over 3% after announcing a product launch on March 4, with several new devices expected in the coming weeks, which not only boosted Apple's market performance but also generated positive sentiment across the tech sector.
- Airline Stocks Rally: Airline stocks showed strong performance on Tuesday, led by a 6% increase in Southwest Airlines after UBS upgraded its rating from neutral to buy with a price target of $73, which not only enhanced the overall performance of airline stocks but also contributed to a more optimistic market outlook.
- Mixed Economic Data: The U.S. February NAHB housing market index unexpectedly fell to a 5-month low of 36, below the expected 38, while the February Empire manufacturing survey slightly declined to 7.1, indicating uncertainty in economic recovery, as the market remains focused on upcoming corporate earnings and economic news.
See More
Impact of Weight-Loss Drugs on Airline Stocks
- Impact of Weight-Loss Drugs: Analysts suggest that the rising popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs could lead to lighter passengers and significant fuel savings for airlines, although this overly optimistic view may inflate investor expectations for airline stocks.
- Food Stocks Market Reaction: Despite significant declines in food stocks due to fears surrounding GLP-1, analysts note that while dividends may be attractive, the lack of growth potential limits rebound opportunities, as seen with Conagra Brands.
- AI Market Influence: Comments from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei have sparked widespread discussions about the future of AI, although the justification for the company's $350 billion valuation is questioned, and the impact on companies like Adobe, Workday, and Salesforce may lead to declining valuations.
- Challenges in Data Center Construction: Analysts emphasize that the cost of building data centers must decrease and power supply must be reliable to achieve profitability in the coming years, although they remain optimistic about the long-term prospects for companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet.
See More
United Airlines Secures Major Deal with GE Aerospace for GEnx Engines
- Engine Procurement Agreement: United Airlines has secured a deal with GE Aerospace for 300 GEnx engines to power its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, enhancing fleet capabilities and operational efficiency, which may boost investor confidence.
- Largest Operator Status: This agreement positions United as the largest GEnx operator globally, further solidifying its long-standing relationship with GE Aerospace and demonstrating the airline's commitment to fleet modernization.
- Starlink Partnership Expansion: United announced the expansion of its partnership with Elon Musk's Starlink, now available on over 300 planes, nearly covering its entire regional fleet, thereby enhancing customer experience.
- Optimistic Financial Outlook: The upcoming financial update on April 14, 2026, is expected to show an EPS estimate of $1.33 and revenue of $14.14 billion, indicating strong performance in terms of value and growth potential.
See More
United Airlines Selects GE GEnx Engines for Boeing 787
- Large Order Size: United Airlines has selected 300 GEnx engines to power its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, bringing its GEnx-powered fleet to over 200 aircraft, solidifying its position as the largest GEnx operator globally.
- Long-Term Partnership: GE Aerospace's relationship with United Airlines dates back to 1968, and this deal further deepens their collaboration, showcasing GE's technological prowess and market influence in the aerospace engine sector.
- Significant Technical Advantages: The GEnx engine features advanced materials and cutting-edge technologies, delivering greater durability and reliability, with a 99.98% dispatch rate that meets airlines' demands for high-performance engines.
- Impressive Future Deliveries: This order brings GE Aerospace's future GEnx deliveries to nearly 1,800 engines plus spares, indicating strong demand and growth potential in the global aviation market.
See More
United Airlines Selects GE GEnx Engines for 787 Dreamliners
- Large Order Size: United Airlines has selected 300 GEnx engines for its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, increasing its fleet of GEnx-powered 787s to over 200, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the global market.
- World's Largest Operator: This agreement positions United Airlines as the largest operator of GEnx engines globally, highlighting the decades-long partnership between GE Aerospace and United, which is expected to drive future business growth for both parties.
- Significant Technical Advantages: The GEnx engine features advanced materials and cutting-edge technologies that provide greater durability and reliability, with a 99.98% dispatch rate, giving it a significant competitive edge in the aviation market to meet customer demands for high performance.
- Substantial Future Deliveries: This order brings GE Aerospace's future GEnx engine deliveries to nearly 1,800 engines, plus spares, further enhancing GE's leadership position in the aircraft engine market and is expected to generate substantial revenue growth for the company.
See More
United Airlines Chooses 300 GE GenX Engines for Boeing 787 Dreamliners
- United Airlines Engine Selection: United Airlines has chosen 300 GE9X engines for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
- Significance of the Deal: This selection marks a significant step in United's efforts to enhance its aircraft performance and efficiency.
See More
U.S. Stocks Close Mixed, Apple Shares Rise on Product Launch News
- Market Performance Fluctuates: On Tuesday, the S&P 500 rose by 0.10%, the Dow Jones increased by 0.07%, while the Nasdaq 100 fell by 0.13%, indicating a mixed market recovery from early losses, with the Nasdaq 100 hitting a 2.75-month low, reflecting investor caution towards tech stocks.
- Apple Product Launch Boost: Apple shares surged over 3% after announcing a product launch on March 4, with several new devices expected in the coming weeks, which not only boosted Apple's market performance but also generated positive sentiment across the tech sector.
- Airline Stocks Rally: Airline stocks showed strong performance on Tuesday, led by a 6% increase in Southwest Airlines after UBS upgraded its rating from neutral to buy with a price target of $73, which not only enhanced the overall performance of airline stocks but also contributed to a more optimistic market outlook.
- Mixed Economic Data: The U.S. February NAHB housing market index unexpectedly fell to a 5-month low of 36, below the expected 38, while the February Empire manufacturing survey slightly declined to 7.1, indicating uncertainty in economic recovery, as the market remains focused on upcoming corporate earnings and economic news.
See More
Impact of Weight-Loss Drugs on Airline Stocks
- Impact of Weight-Loss Drugs: Analysts suggest that the rising popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs could lead to lighter passengers and significant fuel savings for airlines, although this overly optimistic view may inflate investor expectations for airline stocks.
- Food Stocks Market Reaction: Despite significant declines in food stocks due to fears surrounding GLP-1, analysts note that while dividends may be attractive, the lack of growth potential limits rebound opportunities, as seen with Conagra Brands.
- AI Market Influence: Comments from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei have sparked widespread discussions about the future of AI, although the justification for the company's $350 billion valuation is questioned, and the impact on companies like Adobe, Workday, and Salesforce may lead to declining valuations.
- Challenges in Data Center Construction: Analysts emphasize that the cost of building data centers must decrease and power supply must be reliable to achieve profitability in the coming years, although they remain optimistic about the long-term prospects for companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet.
See More
United Airlines Secures Major Deal with GE Aerospace for GEnx Engines
- Engine Procurement Agreement: United Airlines has secured a deal with GE Aerospace for 300 GEnx engines to power its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, enhancing fleet capabilities and operational efficiency, which may boost investor confidence.
- Largest Operator Status: This agreement positions United as the largest GEnx operator globally, further solidifying its long-standing relationship with GE Aerospace and demonstrating the airline's commitment to fleet modernization.
- Starlink Partnership Expansion: United announced the expansion of its partnership with Elon Musk's Starlink, now available on over 300 planes, nearly covering its entire regional fleet, thereby enhancing customer experience.
- Optimistic Financial Outlook: The upcoming financial update on April 14, 2026, is expected to show an EPS estimate of $1.33 and revenue of $14.14 billion, indicating strong performance in terms of value and growth potential.
See More
United Airlines Selects GE GEnx Engines for Boeing 787
- Large Order Size: United Airlines has selected 300 GEnx engines to power its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, bringing its GEnx-powered fleet to over 200 aircraft, solidifying its position as the largest GEnx operator globally.
- Long-Term Partnership: GE Aerospace's relationship with United Airlines dates back to 1968, and this deal further deepens their collaboration, showcasing GE's technological prowess and market influence in the aerospace engine sector.
- Significant Technical Advantages: The GEnx engine features advanced materials and cutting-edge technologies, delivering greater durability and reliability, with a 99.98% dispatch rate that meets airlines' demands for high-performance engines.
- Impressive Future Deliveries: This order brings GE Aerospace's future GEnx deliveries to nearly 1,800 engines plus spares, indicating strong demand and growth potential in the global aviation market.
See More
United Airlines Selects GE GEnx Engines for 787 Dreamliners
- Large Order Size: United Airlines has selected 300 GEnx engines for its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, increasing its fleet of GEnx-powered 787s to over 200, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the global market.
- World's Largest Operator: This agreement positions United Airlines as the largest operator of GEnx engines globally, highlighting the decades-long partnership between GE Aerospace and United, which is expected to drive future business growth for both parties.
- Significant Technical Advantages: The GEnx engine features advanced materials and cutting-edge technologies that provide greater durability and reliability, with a 99.98% dispatch rate, giving it a significant competitive edge in the aviation market to meet customer demands for high performance.
- Substantial Future Deliveries: This order brings GE Aerospace's future GEnx engine deliveries to nearly 1,800 engines, plus spares, further enhancing GE's leadership position in the aircraft engine market and is expected to generate substantial revenue growth for the company.
See More
United Airlines Chooses 300 GE GenX Engines for Boeing 787 Dreamliners
- United Airlines Engine Selection: United Airlines has chosen 300 GE9X engines for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
- Significance of the Deal: This selection marks a significant step in United's efforts to enhance its aircraft performance and efficiency.
See More
