United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL)
United Airlines is a major global carrier that connects passengers and cargo across the world through its extensive network of flight hubs.
Is United Airlines Holdings, Inc. a good stock for a UK beginner?
The honest version: There's no rating here and nothing for sale. In its favour: Strong revenue growth compared to the previous year. Worth weighing: Thin profit margins make the business sensitive to cost increases. Below, we lay out what it does, what its numbers mean, and the honest risks, so you can decide for yourself.
Over about 2 years to 2026-07-31. This is the share price only; any dividends would add to it. And it's the USD return - as a UK investor your actual £ return also moves with the exchange rate. Past performance is not a guide to the future, and it could just as easily have fallen.
How much has United Airlines Holdings, Inc. actually fallen?
Over the last 2 years of daily prices, United Airlines Holdings, Inc. fell as much as −49% from a high to a later low. Drops of this size are a normal part of owning a share - worth knowing in advance, so a dip doesn't come as a shock.
Worst peak-to-trough fall in the daily closing price over the period we hold. Past falls are not a forecast - it can fall further, or recover.
Based on beta - how much the price swings versus the whole market. Bumpier isn't bad; it just means a rougher ride, which matters more the sooner you might need the money.
Prices move on results, news and the mood of the whole market - no single headline explains a day, and a quiet week is usually just noise, not a signal.
Long-term shift toward premium travel services drives higher margins.
Major regulatory changes or long-term shifts in travel habits.
What does United Airlines Holdings, Inc. do?
United Airlines makes its money by selling tickets to travellers and shipping cargo on its fleet of aircraft. It operates a massive hub-and-spoke system, meaning it funnels passengers through major airports to reach destinations globally. Watch how they balance costs like fuel and staff wages against the fluctuating demand for air travel.
On our factor screen it looks strongest on value and momentum, and weakest on income.
- !Pays no dividend - the whole return rides on the share price
- ✓Growing - revenue up about 16% over the year
- ·Low P/E of 11 vs last year's earnings
- !Carries a lot of debt - roughly 2.0x its equity
- ✓Strong return on shareholder money (ROE 23%)
- Value screens high (71/100)
- Momentum screens high (70/100)
- Strong revenue growth compared to the previous year
- High return on equity suggests efficient use of shareholder capital
- Extensive global network provides a competitive advantage
- Income screens low (16/100)
- Rising fuel costs can quickly eat into profits
- Global events or health crises can ground flights and halt revenue
- Heavy reliance on the health of the global economy and consumer spending
What do United Airlines Holdings, Inc.'s numbers mean?
How much money does United Airlines Holdings, Inc. make?
Revenue and profit by quarter, and how much of each sale turns into profit.
Does United Airlines Holdings, Inc. pay a dividend?
No - United Airlines Holdings, Inc. doesn't currently pay a dividend, so the whole return would rest on the share price. Plenty of growing companies reinvest their profits instead of paying them out - neither approach is better or worse, they're just different.
When does United Airlines Holdings, Inc. report earnings, and how did recent quarters go?
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. is next scheduled to report on about 2026-10-21 - dates can move, and we don't predict results; this just tells you when to look.
Each quarter a company reports its results against what analysts expected. ‘Beating’ or ‘missing’ is about that expectation, not whether the business is doing well in absolute terms.
| Reported | Expected EPS: The earnings per share analysts expected for the quarter - the average of their forecasts. 'Beating' or 'missing' is measured against this number. | Actual EPS | vs expected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-15 | $1.85 | $1.99 | Beat +8% |
| 2026-04-21 | $1.08 | $1.19 | Beat +10% |
| 2026-01-20 | $2.94 | $3.10 | Beat +5% |
| 2025-10-15 | $2.68 | $2.78 | Beat +4% |
| 2025-07-16 | $3.81 | $3.87 | Beat +1% |
| 2025-04-15 | $0.74 | $0.91 | Beat +24% |
Across the last 6 quarters here, United Airlines Holdings, Inc. came in ahead of what analysts expected 6 times. One quarter is noise, not a trend.
See who else reports over the next two weeks →
Reported vs expected earnings per share (EPS) from published results; the expectation is the analyst consensus, not our view. Report dates are estimates that can move.
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Southwest Airlines Co.What are the scenarios for United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
An illustrative range for the year ahead, with the assumption behind each case — not a prediction or a price target.
What are the pros and cons of United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
How many points the write-up makes each way — a balance check, not a score or verdict.
- Strong revenue growth: How fast the company's sales grew versus a year ago. compared to the previous year
- High return on equity: How much profit the company makes for each £1 shareholders have put in. Higher usually means a more efficient business. suggests efficient use of shareholder capital
- Extensive global network provides a competitive advantage
- Thin profit margins make the business sensitive to cost increases
- No dividend payments for those looking for regular income
- High beta indicates the share price can be quite a bumpy ride
- Rising fuel costs can quickly eat into profits
- Global events or health crises can ground flights and halt revenue
- Heavy reliance on the health of the global economy and consumer spending
The write-up's own warning lights — if these start happening, the case above changes.
- A sustained, significant drop in global air travel demand
- A permanent, drastic increase in the cost of jet fuel
Built from public filings & market prices, checked for an education-only tone, and never a price target. How we make these →
This plain-English summary was auto-generated on 2026-08-02 from public data and checked for an education-only, no-advice tone (the figures above carry their own, usually fresher, 'as of' date). It's information, never a recommendation.