Why Are Airline Stocks Struggling?


Crypto Whales Are Loading Up — Are You?

New research shows the biggest crypto buyers are back. And this time? They could hold for the possibility that Bitcoin will surpass $100,000 in 2024. You don’t want to miss the next massive crypto bull run like we saw in 2020 and 2021. To know exactly what’s going on and what to buy… Get Access To Benzinga’s Best Crypto Research and Investments For Only $1.


In the past three months, airline stocks have severely lagged the S&P 500. In fact, since the beginning of March, the U.S. Global Jets ETF (NYSE: JETS) has delivered a 12.5 percent loss while the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE: SPY) is up 2.8 percent.

The airliner underperformance has accelerated this week. According to Morgan Stanley analyst Rajeev Lawani, the weakness is all about skeletons in the closet for the airline industry.

“While our fundamental work indicates that airliners should post meaningful profitability vis-à-vis past downturns (with double-digit industry operating margins) and even manage break-even to modestly positive free cash flow, we do acknowledge the interim downside as these concepts are proven to the market and valuation reflects such,” Lawani explains.

Related Link: What's Going On With The VIX?

Airliners have witnessed profits fall deep into negative territory during past cyclical downturns in the U.S. economy, and Morgan Stanley believes that the market doesn’t trust that the next downturn will be different.

Lawani expects carriers with the highest operating margins, such as Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) and Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK), are best-positioned to weather the next economic downturn. American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL) and United Continental Holdings Inc (NYSE: UAL) have the lowest operating margins under Morgan Stanley’s airline coverage.

The firm maintains Overweight ratings on American, Alaska Air, Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE: DAL) and United.

Disclosure: the author holds no position in the stocks mentioned.


Crypto Whales Are Loading Up — Are You?

New research shows the biggest crypto buyers are back. And this time? They could hold for the possibility that Bitcoin will surpass $100,000 in 2024. You don’t want to miss the next massive crypto bull run like we saw in 2020 and 2021. To know exactly what’s going on and what to buy… Get Access To Benzinga’s Best Crypto Research and Investments For Only $1.


ENTER TO WIN $500 IN STOCK OR CRYPTO

Enter your email and you'll also get Benzinga's ultimate morning update AND a free $30 gift card and more!

Posted In: Analyst ColorSpecialty ETFsAnalyst RatingsETFs