United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Shares Gap Up – Still a Buy?

Shares of United Airlines Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:UAL) gapped up prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $95.03, but opened at $102.88. United Airlines shares last traded at $104.8150, with a volume of 3,375,697 shares.

Key Stories Impacting United Airlines

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

• Positive Sentiment: Big decline in oil prices eases a major cost headwind for United (fuel costs fall materially, improving margins and near‑term earnings visibility). United Airlines Stock Surges As Oil Prices Collapse
• Positive Sentiment: Geopolitical de‑escalation (Iran said the Strait of Hormuz would remain open) helped push U.S. indexes to highs and lifted airline sentiment generally, supporting UAL’s rally. S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite Scale Peaks as Trump Sets Stage for Iran Deal Over Weekend
• Positive Sentiment: Sector commentary: airline stocks jumped as oil eased and the Strait reopening reduced disruption risk — reinforcing the same fuel/sentiment drivers behind UAL’s move. Airline stocks jump as oil eases, Strait of Hormuz reopening boosts sentiment
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts have slightly trimmed United’s formal fair value (to about $130.17), reflecting a balanced view: confidence in premium demand but caution on fuel, capacity and guidance risk. This is a modest shift rather than a large downgrade. How The Evolving Investment Story Could Reshape United Airlines Holdings (UAL) Fair Value
• Neutral Sentiment: Q1 earnings are imminent and analyst focus on key metrics (load factor, PRASM, fuel per ASM) means the stock remains sensitive to the actual print and guidance — outcome could reinforce or reverse today’s move. United (UAL) Q1 Earnings on the Horizon: Analysts’ Insights on Key Performance Measures
• Negative Sentiment: FAA imposed a summer flight cap at Chicago O’Hare, curbing United’s planned capacity increases at a major hub and potentially limiting revenue upside for peak travel months. FAA clamps down on airline turf war at Chicago O’Hare with summer flight cap
• Negative Sentiment: Report that United’s CEO discussed a possible tie‑up with American introduces a speculative strategic angle — such a combination would face heavy regulatory scrutiny and could be a near‑term distraction or source of uncertainty. United CEO Pitched Trump on Possible Tie-Up With American

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on UAL. Susquehanna boosted their price target on shares of United Airlines from $117.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a report on Friday, January 9th. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $136.00 price objective on shares of United Airlines in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Barclays boosted their target price on United Airlines from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Citigroup cut their price target on United Airlines from $155.00 to $132.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 20th. Finally, TD Cowen upgraded United Airlines from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $131.19.

United Airlines Stock Up 7.1%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $99.19 and a 200-day simple moving average of $102.40. The stock has a market cap of $33.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.96, a PEG ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.28.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 20th. The transportation company reported $3.10 EPS 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 25.13%. The company had revenue of $15.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.35 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.26 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. 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. Analysts expect that United Airlines Holdings Inc will post 12.96 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, President Brett J. Hart sold 19,000 shares of United Airlines stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.45, for a total value of $2,022,550.00. Following the transaction, the president owned 264,638 shares in the company, valued at $28,170,715.10. This trade represents a 6.70% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.71% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Airlines

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bison Wealth LLC bought a new position in United Airlines in the 4th quarter worth approximately $246,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its position in shares of United Airlines by 24.0% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 39,872 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,753,000 after acquiring an additional 7,713 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth boosted its position in shares of United Airlines by 92.7% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 12,349 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $853,000 after acquiring an additional 5,939 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of United Airlines by 23.5% in the second quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 292,580 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $23,298,000 after acquiring an additional 55,728 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cresset Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of United Airlines by 73.5% in the second quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 9,410 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $749,000 after acquiring an additional 3,987 shares during the last quarter. 69.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.