American Airlines Group (NASDAQ:AAL) Issues Q1 2026 Earnings Guidance
by Mitch Edgeman · The Markets DailyAmerican Airlines Group (NASDAQ:AAL – Get Free Report) updated its first quarter 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided EPS guidance of -0.500–0.500 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of -0.370. The company issued revenue guidance of $13.8B-, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $13.6 billion.
Analyst Ratings Changes
A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on shares of American Airlines Group from $15.00 to $12.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 12th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of American Airlines Group from $12.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Raymond James Financial reissued a “market perform” rating on shares of American Airlines Group in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and issued a $17.00 price target on shares of American Airlines Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of American Airlines Group from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $14.97.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on American Airlines Group
American Airlines Group Price Performance
NASDAQ:AAL traded down $0.04 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $11.37. The stock had a trading volume of 36,686,105 shares, compared to its average volume of 65,700,969. The business’s 50 day moving average is $12.30 and its 200 day moving average is $13.24. American Airlines Group has a fifty-two week low of $8.96 and a fifty-two week high of $16.50. The stock has a market cap of $7.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 66.88 and a beta of 1.25.
American Airlines Group (NASDAQ:AAL – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The airline reported $0.16 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.38 by ($0.22). American Airlines Group had a negative return on equity of 5.90% and a net margin of 0.20%.The firm had revenue of $14 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.12 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.86 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. American Airlines Group has set its Q1 2026 guidance at -0.500–0.100 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 1.700-2.700 EPS. Equities analysts expect that American Airlines Group will post 2.42 EPS for the current year.
Key Stories Impacting American Airlines Group
Here are the key news stories impacting American Airlines Group this week:
- Positive Sentiment: A market note says AAL could be a recovery winner if tensions with Iran ease and oil falls — implying upside if the recent ceasefire persists. 1 Stock To Buy And 1 To Sell If The War In Iran Ends
- Positive Sentiment: American raised checked-bag fees (about $10 more for first and second bags; higher third‑bag fees and bigger increases for basic economy), which should boost ancillary revenue to help offset high jet fuel costs. American Airlines to raise checked bag fees
- Positive Sentiment: American is part of a win for Infinium’s Project Atlas in a SABA SAF procurement — AAL will take delivery/use of eSAF, supporting long-term fuel strategy, sustainability branding and potential fuel-cost mitigation. Infinium’s Project Atlas Named Winner
- Positive Sentiment: Sector momentum: airline stocks jumped after a reported two‑week suspension of military action in Iran and strong peer results (Delta), which earlier lifted AAL shares. American Airlines and United Airlines Stocks Trade Up
- Neutral Sentiment: AAL scheduled a webcast for its Q1 2026 results conference call on April 23 — a liquidity event where management will provide detail on guidance, fuel outlook and cost actions. Webcast of first-quarter 2026 financial results
- Negative Sentiment: AAL updated Q1 2026 EPS guidance to -0.500 to -0.500, below the consensus of -0.370 — a direct near-term hit to expectations that helps explain today’s downward pressure on the stock.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Airlines Group
Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its holdings in American Airlines Group by 208.2% in the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 3,282 shares of the airline’s stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 2,217 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new position in American Airlines Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $57,000. EFG International AG acquired a new position in American Airlines Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $98,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in American Airlines Group by 144.9% during the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 7,961 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $122,000 after purchasing an additional 4,710 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in American Airlines Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $141,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.44% of the company’s stock.
About American Airlines Group
American Airlines Group Inc is a leading global airline holding company headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Formed in December 2013 through the merger of AMR Corporation (parent of American Airlines) and US Airways Group, the company operates one of the world’s largest passenger and cargo networks. Its subsidiaries include American Airlines, which provides mainline service, and American Eagle, a network of regional carriers operating short- and medium-haul routes on behalf of the mainline carrier.
The company offers scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 350 destinations in over 50 countries.