United Airlines Holdings Inc (UAL) experienced a price increase of 3.01%, reaching a 20-day high. This movement occurred in the context of a slight decline in the broader market, with the Nasdaq-100 down 0.05% and the S&P 500 down 0.24%.
The stock's rise can be attributed to sector rotation, as United Airlines has shown strong performance compared to the overall market. Recent insights indicate that UAL outperformed the S&P 500, with an 11.32% increase over the past month, despite the upcoming earnings report projecting a decline in earnings per share to $3.03. Analysts have noted a neutral outlook with a Zacks Rank of #3, suggesting that while there are challenges ahead, the stock remains attractive relative to its peers.
This positive movement reflects investor confidence in United Airlines' operational strategies and market positioning, particularly as the airline industry continues to recover from previous downturns. The stock's performance indicates a potential shift in investor sentiment towards airlines, especially in light of recent developments in the sector.
Wall Street analysts forecast UAL stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for UAL is 139.07 USD with a low forecast of 115.00 USD and a high forecast of 156.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
16 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast UAL stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for UAL is 139.07 USD with a low forecast of 115.00 USD and a high forecast of 156.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
15 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 104.910
Low
115.00
Averages
139.07
High
156.00
Current: 104.910
Low
115.00
Averages
139.07
High
156.00
Bernstein
Outperform
maintain
$129 -> $136
2026-01-27
New
Reason
Bernstein
Price Target
$129 -> $136
AI Analysis
2026-01-27
New
maintain
Outperform
Reason
Bernstein raised the firm's price target on United Airlines to $136 from $129 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm notes the company delivered a solid Q4 2025 beat, Q1 2026 raise, and in-line FY26 guide with bullish commentary implying the guide is quite conservative. Bernstein expects to see United coming in at the high-end of the guide.
BofA
Andrew Didora
Buy
maintain
$130 -> $145
2026-01-23
Reason
BofA
Andrew Didora
Price Target
$130 -> $145
2026-01-23
maintain
Buy
Reason
BofA analyst Andrew Didora raised the firm's price target on United Airlines (UAL) to $145 from $130 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. Q4 results and the call "echoed similar themes" to Delta (DAL) last week, with premium revenues leading, demand trends improving, and guidance remaining conservative given last year's industry volatility, the analyst tells investors. The firm raised its Q1 EPS view to $1.30 from $1.08, just above the $1.25 guidance midpoint, while its 2026 EPS estimate is raised to $13.25 from $13.08 with a strong demand start to 2026.
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BMO Capital
Outperform
maintain
$125
2026-01-22
Reason
BMO Capital
Price Target
$125
2026-01-22
maintain
Outperform
Reason
BMO Capital raised the firm's price target on United Airlines to $132.50 from $125 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares after its Q4 earnings beat. The company's FY26 guidance could prove conservative should January momentum persist, and the firm is also encouraged by results with continued runway for United Airlines on a number of fronts, including gauge, loyalty/co-brand credit card, merchandising, and Kinective Media, the analyst tells investors in a research note.
TD Cowen
Buy
maintain
$138 -> $140
2026-01-22
Reason
TD Cowen
Price Target
$138 -> $140
2026-01-22
maintain
Buy
Reason
TD Cowen raised the firm's price target on United Airlines to $140 from $138 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm says early demand indicators are "very favorable" for United against tough January compares. It believes United Airlines is the "name to own amidst industry gentrification."
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.
