High Fuel Costs Erode Profitability: American Airlines (AAL.US) Q2 Results Beat Expectations but Full-Year Profit Guidance Lowered Again
Due to persistently high fuel prices caused by the Middle East war, American Airlines has lowered its 2026 earnings guidance for the second time this year. This further hinders the company's efforts to narrow the performance gap with its two major competitors.
According to Zhihui Finance APP, due to persistently high fuel prices caused by the Middle East war, American Airlines (AAL.US) has lowered its 2026 earnings guidance for the second time this year, further hindering the American carrier's efforts to narrow the performance gap with its two major competitors. As of press time, American Airlines' shares were down more than 4% in pre-market trading on Thursday.
The financial report shows that American Airlines' second quarter operating revenue reached $16.74 billion, up 16.3% year-on-year and basically in line with analysts' expectations; adjusted net profit was $99 million; adjusted earnings per share were $0.15, far lower than $0.95 in the same period last year, but higher than analysts' expectations of $0.027. The company's fuel expenses for the second quarter increased by more than $2.2 billion, up 83% year-on-year.
American Airlines has been trying to regain growth momentum by strengthening its premium air services and loyalty membership business. Compared with basic economy class ticket prices, these two areas are more resilient to price fluctuations. The company said it offset nearly 50% of the impact of rising fuel costs in the second quarter by raising ticket prices.
American Airlines stated that due to higher fuel costs, it expects third quarter fuel spending to increase by $1.7 billion year-on-year. On top of the $2.2 billion in additional fuel costs already incurred so far this year, cost pressures have further intensified. The company expects an adjusted loss of $0.10 to $0.70 per share in the third quarter, while analysts had expected earnings of $0.28 per share.
American Airlines also said that for the full year of 2026, its adjusted loss could be as much as $0.65 per share, worse than the $0.41 per share loss it forecast in April; in the most optimistic scenario, the company expects full-year earnings of $0.65 per share, higher than analysts’ previous estimate of $0.61 per share. In its first quarter results this year, the company expected full-year adjusted earnings per share of -$0.40 to $1.10.
This more pessimistic performance outlook has put greater pressure on CEO Robert Isom. So far this year, American Airlines’ stock price performance has been weak, and the company also faces a potential merger proposal from United Airlines (UAL.US), which Isom has previously rejected.
While American Airlines announced these results, its main competitors are showing some resilience and benefiting from strong demand for high-priced tickets. This month, Delta Air Lines (DAL.US) reaffirmed its full-year profit guidance, and United Airlines also issued a more optimistic outlook.
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
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