American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL - Free Report) has an impressive Growth Score of B. This style score condenses all the essential metrics from the company’s financial statements to get a true sense of quality and sustainability of its growth. For 2021 and 2022, earnings are expected to grow at a rate of 65.4% and 114.7%, respectively, on a year-over-year basis.
The stock has rallied 47% in the past year compared with 25.5% growth of the industry it belongs to.
Key Growth Drivers
Owing to rise in leisure demand for air travel, American Airlines’ top line surged more than 100% year over year in the June quarter. The upside can be attributed to a massive jump in passenger revenues, which accounted for bulk of the top line (87.5%). Passenger revenues increased to $6545 million from $1,108 million reported in the second quarter of 2021. Driven by improvement in air-travel demand, American Airlines succeeded in turning its daily cash burn rate to positive for the second quarter. During the quarter, cash build rate was approximately $1 million per day. CEO Doug Parker believes that the recovery will continue with overall business likely to reach 90% of 2019 levels in the final quarter of 2021.
With air-travel demand improving, American Airlines is constantly looking to add routes and broaden its network. As part of the expansion drive, the carrier will begin service to Chetumal, Mexico and San Andres Island, Colombia from Miami International Airport this December. In response to the pandemic-led challenge, the carrier has simplified its fleet and made its cost structure more efficient. Owing to the efficient cost structure, consolidated operating costs per available seat mile (CASM: excluding fuel and special items) declined 17% year over year in first-half 2021 to 14.18 cents.
Primary Concern
Rise in fuel costs does not bode well for the airline. During the second quarter, average fuel price per gallon (including related taxes) rose to $1.91 from $1.13 a year ago as oil prices move north. The metric is expected to be in the $2.10-$2.15 band in the September quarter. Fuel gallons consumed increased to $844 million in the June quarter from $205 million a year ago. Fuel gallon consumption is expected to be $964 million in the September quarter.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
American Airlines’ currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the broader Zacks Transportation sector are Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (KNX - Free Report) , Landstar System, Inc. (LSTR - Free Report) and Herc Holdings Inc. (HRI - Free Report) . Knight-Swift and Landstar carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), while Herc Holdings sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Long-term expected earnings per share (three to five years) growth rate for Knight-Swift, Landstar and Herc Holdings is pegged at 15%, 12% and 49.2%, respectively.
Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and Sells
We're not kidding.
Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent.
Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators,and more, that closed 228 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2023 alone.
See Stocks Now >>
American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL - Free Report) has an impressive Growth Score of B. This style score condenses all the essential metrics from the company’s financial statements to get a true sense of quality and sustainability of its growth. For 2021 and 2022, earnings are expected to grow at a rate of 65.4% and 114.7%, respectively, on a year-over-year basis.
The stock has rallied 47% in the past year compared with 25.5% growth of the industry it belongs to.
Key Growth Drivers
Owing to rise in leisure demand for air travel, American Airlines’ top line surged more than 100% year over year in the June quarter. The upside can be attributed to a massive jump in passenger revenues, which accounted for bulk of the top line (87.5%). Passenger revenues increased to $6545 million from $1,108 million reported in the second quarter of 2021. Driven by improvement in air-travel demand, American Airlines succeeded in turning its daily cash burn rate to positive for the second quarter. During the quarter, cash build rate was approximately $1 million per day. CEO Doug Parker believes that the recovery will continue with overall business likely to reach 90% of 2019 levels in the final quarter of 2021.
With air-travel demand improving, American Airlines is constantly looking to add routes and broaden its network. As part of the expansion drive, the carrier will begin service to Chetumal, Mexico and San Andres Island, Colombia from Miami International Airport this December. In response to the pandemic-led challenge, the carrier has simplified its fleet and made its cost structure more efficient. Owing to the efficient cost structure, consolidated operating costs per available seat mile (CASM: excluding fuel and special items) declined 17% year over year in first-half 2021 to 14.18 cents.
Primary Concern
Rise in fuel costs does not bode well for the airline. During the second quarter, average fuel price per gallon (including related taxes) rose to $1.91 from $1.13 a year ago as oil prices move north. The metric is expected to be in the $2.10-$2.15 band in the September quarter. Fuel gallons consumed increased to $844 million in the June quarter from $205 million a year ago. Fuel gallon consumption is expected to be $964 million in the September quarter.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
American Airlines’ currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the broader Zacks Transportation sector are Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (KNX - Free Report) , Landstar System, Inc. (LSTR - Free Report) and Herc Holdings Inc. (HRI - Free Report) . Knight-Swift and Landstar carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), while Herc Holdings sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Long-term expected earnings per share (three to five years) growth rate for Knight-Swift, Landstar and Herc Holdings is pegged at 15%, 12% and 49.2%, respectively.
Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and Sells
We're not kidding.
Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent.
Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators,and more, that closed 228 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2023 alone.
See Stocks Now >>
Get the latest research report on KNX - FREE
Get the latest research report on AAL - FREE
Get the latest research report on LSTR - FREE
Get the latest research report on HRI - FREE