United Airlines shares dropped about 3% after the carrier issued full-year and third-quarter 2026 profit guidance below Wall Street expectations, despite reporting second-quarter earnings and revenue that beat estimates. The company now expects full-year 2026 adjusted earnings of $9 to $11 per share, implying a midpoint of $10, below the consensus estimate of $10.46, and forecast third-quarter adjusted earnings of $2.50 to $3.50 per share, missing market expectations. The weaker outlook reflects higher fuel costs, with the airline now expecting its fuel bill to reach about $6 billion this year after second-quarter fuel expenses increased 84% from a year earlier. Management said it expects to offset much of the higher fuel expense through stronger ticket pricing and operating efficiencies over the remainder of 2026, but investors focused on the softer earnings outlook.
United Airlines Holdings IncFull-year and Q3 2026 profit guidance below consensus, despite Q2 beat.