United Airlines Set to Reveal Q3 Earnings Amid Mixed Forecasts
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL) is poised to announce its fiscal third-quarter earnings on October 15, 2025, with analysts projecting a profit of $2.63 per share on a diluted basis. This figure marks a 21% decline from $3.33 per share reported in the same quarter last year. The Chicago-based airline, which boasts a market capitalization of $30.2 billion, plays a significant role in global passenger and cargo transport, as well as offering ancillary services like catering and maintenance.
In recent financial reports, United Airlines has consistently outperformed Wall Street’s earnings per share (EPS) estimates. For the fiscal year 2025, analysts anticipate an EPS of $10.26, slightly down from $10.61 in fiscal 2024. Looking ahead, projections suggest a rebound with an expected EPS of $12.49 in fiscal 2026, representing a year-over-year growth of 21.7%.
Stock Performance and Market Sentiment
Over the past year, UAL’s stock has seen a remarkable increase of 70.1%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 Index, which gained 12.6%, and the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund, which rose 20.5%. This strong performance highlights investor confidence in the airline’s future prospects.
Despite this positive momentum, UAL faced challenges recently. On September 22, shares fell by over 1% after aviation analytics firm Cirium revealed a slowdown in transatlantic demand. Data showed that planned bookings from Europe to the United States for the fall season dropped by 11% compared to the previous year. This decline poses potential hurdles for major U.S. airlines, particularly for United, which relies heavily on profitable international routes.
Market sentiment surrounding UAL remains optimistic, with a consensus rating of “Strong Buy” from analysts. Out of 22 analysts covering the stock, 18 recommend a “Strong Buy,” while two suggest a “Moderate Buy” and another two rate it as a “Hold.” The average price target for UAL stands at $117.60, indicating a potential upside of 24% from current levels.
As United Airlines prepares to release its earnings report, investors and analysts will closely monitor the company’s performance amidst fluctuating market conditions. The upcoming announcement will provide further insights into how the airline navigates challenges while capitalizing on growth opportunities in the aviation sector.
