United forecasts improved Q4 performance

United Tuesday raised its Q4 passenger unit revenue guidance to an expected decline of between 1.25% and 1.75% from 3% to 4%, pushing up its expected pre-tax profit margin compared to Q4 of 2015. United credited its improved outlook to strengthened last-minute bookings and ticket yields in November and December. Business demand was stronger than expected in the two weeks leading up to Christmas, the company said, and the winter holidays brought better-than-expected demand for leisure travel. The carrier now expects its profit margin to be between 9.25% and 9.75%, up from its earlier prediction of between 7.5% and 8.5%. <br/>