United Airlines Holdings (NASDAQ:UAL) reported a notable insider transaction this month as President Brett J. Hart sold 19,000 shares of common stock on February 2, 2026. The shares were disposed of at a weighted average price between $106.41 and $106.598, producing proceeds of approximately $2.02 million. Following the sale, Hart's direct ownership in the carrier stands at 264,638 shares.
Market quotes show United's stock trading at $109.48, modestly above the price range at which Hart executed the sale. Data from InvestingPro indicates that United Airlines is considered fairly valued on its Fair Value assessment. Additional InvestingPro metrics note a market capitalization of $35.44 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.75, alongside a financial health score rated as "GOOD."
The insider activity did not end with the sale. On February 3, Hart donated 5,695 shares to charity, a separate disposition that reduces his overall direct holdings beyond the sale. Despite the recent insider selling, consensus among analysts remains favorable toward United, reflected in a strong buy recommendation across the analyst community cited by InvestingPro. The service also flags more than eight additional insights about UAL, including commentary on its profitability position and its standing within the airline industry in a Pro Research Report.
Operational and financial momentum for United was reinforced by the carrier's fourth-quarter 2025 performance. The airline reported adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.10 for the quarter, a result that exceeded street estimates by 6%. Revenue growth was mixed by product line but broadly positive - loyalty revenues rose 10%, premium services increased 9%, and Basic Economy climbed 7%, all outpacing the company's total revenue growth of roughly 5% for the period.
Those results have prompted several research firms to lift their price targets for United. Bernstein raised its target to $136 while maintaining an Outperform rating. BofA Securities increased its target to $145, pointing to robust premium revenue and improving demand trends. UBS also nudged its target higher to $147, citing management guidance for the first quarter and full year 2026 as aligned with investor expectations.
On the operational front, United announced plans to expand service at Chicago O'Hare International Airport to 750 flights daily, which the company says will provide nonstop service to 222 destinations by 2026. The combination of refreshed capacity plans, better-than-expected quarterly earnings, and analyst price-target revisions frames the backdrop for the recent insider sale and charitable donation.
Hart's sale and donation, the firm's valuation and financial metrics, and the recent earnings and capacity disclosures together provide a multifaceted snapshot of United's current position in the market. Investors and market watchers should consider both the insider activity and the company's reported performance when assessing UAL's near-term outlook.