United Airlines Holdings Inc logo

United Airlines Holdings Inc(UAL)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
3-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$103.43
10/28/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
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Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for UAL

10/28/2026: UAL (3-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. is a major U.S. airline that operates an extensive global network and a well-recognized loyalty program. The company benefits from its strategic hub locations and a significant focus on premium cabin experiences to drive revenue. While it has a leading position in international travel, the stock faces risks from cyclical demand, fuel cost volatility, and intense competition from low-cost carriers. It is a capital-intensive business, often suitable for investors comfortable with cyclical volatility rather than dividend income. Key developments for investors to monitor include capacity management, the progress of the 'United Next' modernization strategy, and overall corporate travel demand trends.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitThe company offers exposure to travel recovery trends but is subject to cyclical industry volatility.
Momentum investorStrong fit while signal remains positiveInvestors may find interest during periods of strong industry-wide travel demand growth.
Value investorMixed fitValuation is often tied to cyclical economic indicators rather than consistent long-term earnings growth.
Dividend investorWeak fitThe company does not currently prioritize dividend payments to shareholders.
Low-risk investorWeak fitThe airline industry is characterized by high operational and financial risk profile.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighAirline stocks are sensitive to fuel costs, economic cycles, and sudden shifts in consumer sentiment.
Valuation riskMediumMarket pricing often shifts based on macroeconomic sentiment and projected travel demand.
Competition risk (Airlines)HighIntense competition from low-cost and legacy carriers limits pricing power.
Business qualityMediumThe company operates a complex, asset-heavy business model with high fixed costs.
Dividend incomeLow / noneThe company does not provide a regular dividend stream.
Execution riskMedium / highOperational disruptions, labor relations, and fleet integration pose significant risks.

Price Behavior

Rolling Over
PRICE PATH

Rolling Over

The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.

Moderately Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Moderately Choppy

The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 77.12%
Avg. Invested days 43
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 4.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/28/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
UAL receives a 4-star rating, supported by strong analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
UAL has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, moderate earnings growth (+6.5%) is partially offset by soft cash generation (FCF margin 4.3%), moderate revenue growth (+3.5%), soft profitability (net margin 5.7%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
UAL's financial health is supported by strong cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation of $2.6B (4.3% of revenue). Liquidity is moderate (3 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Earnings growth is UAL's strongest growth driver at +6.5% FY2025 versus FY2024 (moderate, 3 stars). By comparison, while free-cash-flow growth (-33.2%, negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 91.0% and approximately 99.3% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.58%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 6.91%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 6.47%
FMR Inc 5.99%
PRIMECAP Management Company 5.07%
Sanders Capital, LLC 4.63%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
UAL generates approximately $641 of gross profit, $80 of operating income, and $43 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Moderate margins and soft cash conversion support a 3-star rating, while capital efficiency is soft.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 22.13%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
UAL has a large-cap, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while elevated volatility.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedHigh VolatilityLarge / Mega Cap StabilityShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 34.02B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 9.59
1Y Target Price 150.09
Price to earnings Ratio 9.59
1Y Target Price 150.09
Volume (30-day avg) 4.8M shares
Beta 1.3
52 Weeks Range 84.64 - 138.77
Updated Date 10/28/2026
52 Weeks Range 84.64 - 138.77
Updated Date 10/28/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) 10.92

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Passenger RevenueTicket sales for mainline and regional flights across domestic and international markets.The primary way United makes money is by selling seats to travelers.
Ancillary & LoyaltyMileagePlus program revenue, baggage fees, and onboard services.Additional fees and loyalty program sales provide high-margin revenue streams.
CargoFreight and mail transportation services.Cargo adds extra revenue using space already available on passenger planes.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-10-20
When After Market
Estimate 2.6
Actual 2.54

Profitability

Profit Margin 5.46%
Operating Margin (TTM) 7.03%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 3.31%
Return on Equity (TTM) 22.31%

Valuation

Trailing PE 9.59
Forward PE 8.27
Enterprise Value 52.35B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.52
Enterprise Value 52.35B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.52
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.8
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 9.24
Shares Outstanding 324.89M
Shares Floating 322.49M
Shares Outstanding 324.89M
Shares Floating 322.49M
Percent Insiders 0.58
Percent Institutions 91.05

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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