United Airlines (UAL) shares plummeted 5.10% in intraday trading on Thursday following the release of its third-quarter financial results. The sharp decline came as the airline reported mixed quarterly results, with revenue falling short of analysts' expectations.
According to the company's earnings report, United Airlines posted revenue of $15.2 billion for the third quarter, slightly lower than the $15.3 billion analysts had anticipated. This marks the third consecutive quarter where the airline's revenue has missed expectations, raising concerns among investors about the company's growth trajectory.
Despite the revenue shortfall, United Airlines did manage to beat earnings estimates. The carrier reported adjusted earnings per share that surpassed Wall Street's forecasts, demonstrating some resilience in its cost management efforts. However, the market's focus on the top-line miss overshadowed this positive aspect of the report.
The negative sentiment was evident even before the market opened, with United Airlines shares trading lower in pre-market activity. As trading progressed, the selling pressure intensified, leading to the significant intraday decline. The drop in share price reflects investors' disappointment with the company's performance and possibly concerns about the broader airline industry's challenges.