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Key Takeaways
- American Airlines beat profit and sales forecasts for the fourth quarter as it benefited from higher demand for air travel.
- The largest U.S. carrier also predicted full-year 2024 earnings per share above analysts’ estimates.
- American cut its debt by more than $500 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, and $3.2 billion for the full year.
- American Airlines stock was up more than 10% in early-afternoon trading.
American Airlines Group (AAL) shares flew higher as the biggest U.S. carrier posted earnings that handily beat analysts’ expectations and gave better-than-expected guidance as demand for air travel has jumped.
American reported fourth-quarter earnings per share (EPS), excluding special items, of $0.29, nearly triple what analysts had been looking for. Revenue was $13.1 billion, and its load factor, a measure of seating capacity filled by passengers, was 83.6%. Both of those also beat forecasts.
The airline said the results were “driven by continued strong demand for American’s product, record revenue from its travel rewards program, strong operational performance and effective cost control.”
The company noted that over the holiday travel period it had its best-ever completion factor and on-time departures, as well as the lowest mishandled baggage rate.
American added that it slashed its debt by more than half a billion dollars in the quarter, and $3.2 billion in 2023. That made its goal of reducing total debt by $15 billion by the end of 2025 more than 75% complete.
The carrier anticipates full-year EPS of between $2.25 and $3.25, ahead of analysts’ predictions.
American shares were up 10.6% at $15.41 at around 1:00 p.m. ET. Despite the big gains Thursday, the stock is still in negative territory over the past year.
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