CHICAGO – United Airlines is making money after a slow start to the year.
The airline's net income in the second quarter hit $789 million, topping Wall Street expectations and marking a turnaround from the first quarter when United was the only major U.S. carrier to report a loss.
Shares are up more than 5 percent before the opening bell.
The company also said Thursday that it will buy back up to $1 billion in shares over the next three years.
United says that excluding special items, it would have earned $2.34 per share. Analysts surveyed by FactSet were expecting $2.19.
Revenue is up 3.3 percent to $10.33 billion, slightly higher than Wall Street forecasts.
Shares of United Continental Holdings Inc. rose $1.18 to $46 in premarket trading.
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