United stock rises after beats on Q4 earnings and guidance, sees strong 'revenue momentum' in 2026

United Airlines (UAL) banal roseate aboriginal Wednesday aft the hose posted a 4th fourth net beat, a week aft rival Delta (DAL) saw premium and concern travelers boost its results.

Chicago-based United posted grounds operating gross of $15.4 cardinal aft the doorbell connected Tuesday, compared with estimates of $15.37 billion, per Bloomberg consensus. That was somewhat higher than successful Q3 and up astir 5% compared to a twelvemonth ago.

United reported adjusted net per stock of $3.10 vs. $2.92 expected, with disposable spot miles coming successful astatine 83.37 billion.

In presumption of guidance, United sees 2026 adjusted net per stock (EPS) successful a scope of $12 to $14, compared to estimates of $13.04 and adjusted superior expenditures of beneath $8 billion.

United shares climbed astir 4% successful premarket trading.

Read more: Live sum of firm earnings

"Our results are built connected winning much and much brand-loyal customers — it's wide they get the astir worth flying United," CEO Scott Kirby said successful a statement. "This was the highest-revenue 4th successful United's past and the highest quarterly RASM [revenue per disposable spot mile] of the twelvemonth providing beardown gross momentum that is continuing into 2026."

United said premium gross was up 9% for the 4th fourth twelvemonth implicit twelvemonth and 11% for the afloat year, with loyalty gross up 10% for the 4th fourth and up 9% for the afloat year. Revenue for United's manager class, oregon Basic Economy, grew 7% for the 4th fourth and was up 5% for the afloat year.

A week ago, United rival Delta projected full-year adjusted EPS of $6.50 to $7.50, representing a whopping 20% year-over-year leap astatine the midpoint. Delta said maturation volition beryllium driven by accrued concern from its higher-net-income clients successful lieu of fund and system travelers.

Read more: Best question recognition cards for January 2026: Earn escaped flights, edifice stays, and more

Despite the growth, operational issues coming from the authorities shutdown earlier successful the 4th were expected to wounded Q4 results, and United said the shutdown led to an astir $250 cardinal deed to pre-tax earnings. Delta besides said it mislaid astir $200 cardinal successful profits owed to the shutdown, oregon astir $0.25 successful mislaid net per share, with much than 2,000 flights canceled.

The shutdown effect follows the different large operational contented affecting United this twelvemonth — disruptions it faced astatine Newark Airport successful New Jersey, 1 of United’s important hubs.

Last spring, Newark suffered done staffing shortages and aerial postulation power issues that caused superior delays and, successful immoderate cases, led to implicit outages of the aerial postulation power strategy for little periods of time.