United Airlines stock rating reiterated at Buy by UBS despite mixed Q3

Published 16/10/2025, 15:10
© Reuters.

Investing.com - UBS has reiterated its Buy rating and $131.00 price target on United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL), currently trading at $101.55, despite the airline reporting mixed third-quarter results. According to InvestingPro data, six analysts have recently revised their earnings estimates upward for the upcoming period, with analyst targets ranging from $43 to $149.

The carrier’s third-quarter revenue available seat mile (RASM) declined 4.3%, falling short of UBS’s estimate of -3.6% and consensus expectations of -2.9%. United’s revenue growth reached 2.6%, below the consensus forecast of 3.3%. The company maintains strong fundamentals with trailing twelve-month revenue of $58 billion and an EBITDA of $8.3 billion. Get deeper insights into United’s financial health with a comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively on InvestingPro.

UBS believes Newark Liberty International Airport operations likely created at least a 1% drag on United’s third-quarter RASM performance, contributing to the revenue shortfall.

Despite these challenges, United Airlines demonstrated better-than-expected cost management during the quarter, which partially offset the revenue disappointment.

UBS maintains its positive outlook on United Airlines based on the carrier’s fourth-quarter guidance, which suggests strong revenue acceleration despite difficult year-over-year comparisons, indicating robust demand from United’s customer base heading into 2026. The market’s confidence is reflected in the stock’s impressive 55% surge over the past six months, though InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock may be currently trading above its Fair Value.

In other recent news, United Airlines has received positive analyst ratings, with TD Cowen reiterating its Buy rating and setting a price target of $127.00. Similarly, Bernstein SocGen Group maintained an Outperform rating for United Airlines, highlighting the company’s "solid" results with a price target of $121.00. These developments come in the wake of United’s fourth quarter 2025 guidance, which has bolstered analyst confidence. Meanwhile, the ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown has not significantly impacted airline operations, despite concerns about air traffic control staffing. Although some airports, like Hollywood Burbank Airport, have experienced delays, there have been no widespread disruptions. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted a slight increase in sick calls among air traffic controllers, which could potentially lead to delays. Additionally, the Essential Air Service program, which aids flights to small and rural communities, is at risk of losing funding if the shutdown continues, potentially affecting over 170 communities.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.