LATAM Airlines Group S.A. (NYSE:LTM) is one of the best affordable stocks with good earnings growth for 2026. Barclays reaffirmed a Buy rating on LATAM Airlines Group S.A. (NYSE:LTM) on December 10 and set a price target of $60.00. The rating update came after the company reported its preliminary monthly statistics for November 2025 on December 8, reporting that it transported 7.4 million passengers, reflecting a 4.9% year-over-year growth. Furthermore, it transported 79.6 million passengers between Januar ...

Core Insights - The transportation sector in 2025 has faced challenges due to tariff issues, supply-chain crises, and low freight demand, compounded by geopolitical tensions and a prolonged U.S. government shutdown. However, declining oil prices and cost-cutting measures have positively impacted profitability [1]. Industry Overview - Oil prices are expected to remain low in 2026, benefiting transportation stocks as fuel costs are a significant expense for these companies. The average price of West Texas Intermediate crude is projected at $65.32 per barrel in 2026, down from $76.60 in 2025. Jet fuel costs are also expected to decrease to $88 per barrel in 2026 from $90 in 2025, with the total fuel bill anticipated to be $252 billion in 2026 [2][3]. Macroeconomic Factors - The macroeconomic environment is showing signs of improvement as inflation in the U.S. is declining, despite remaining above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. The Fed has implemented three rate cuts in 2025, which may support the transportation sector [4]. Shipping Industry Insights - The shipping industry is expected to benefit from a supportive macro backdrop, with capsize bulk carriers positioned well due to strong demand for iron ore and bauxite. The recent increase in dry bulk rates is likely to continue into the next year [5]. Cost Control and E-commerce - Ongoing cost-control efforts amid soft freight demand are expected to enhance profitability. The strength of e-commerce continues to be a significant tailwind for the sector, while steady air travel demand is encouraging for airlines despite economic headwinds [6]. Stock Recommendations - Three transportation stocks are highlighted for potential investment: Expeditors International of Washington (EXPD), Global Ship Lease (GSL), and LATAM Airlines (LTM). These stocks carry Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and are expected to deliver healthy returns [6]. Company Performance - Expeditors is benefiting from cost cuts and e-commerce strength, with a 7.6% EPS estimate increase for 2026. The company has a strong earnings surprise history, with an average surprise of 13.9% over the last four quarters [9][11]. - Global Ship Lease has a diversified fleet and has consistently outperformed earnings estimates, with a 16.8% average earnings beat and a 3.1% upward revision to its 2026 EPS view [9][12]. - LATAM Airlines is experiencing growth due to its lean cost structure and improved air travel demand, with a 4.5% upward revision to its 2026 EPS estimates and an average earnings surprise of 29.8% over the last four quarters [9][14].

LATAM Airlines Group ( LTM ), like a phoenix, has risen from the ashes of the post-pandemic and Chapter 11 period as a company that is structurally different from what the market used toEquity Research Analyst at DM Martins Research.The best opportunities often don’t scream for attention. I cover stocks that are often undercovered, focusing primarily on Brazil and Latin America — but I also occasionally write about global large caps. My work can also be found on TipRanks, where I contribute regularly, and o ...

In this article, we will look at the 7 Affordable Stocks With Good Earnings Growth for 2026.On December 29, Jeremy Siegel, professor emeritus of finance at the University of Pennsylvania and chief economist at WisdomTree, appeared on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” to talk about the outlook for 2026. He stated that there are a few potential bumps in January, including the Supreme Court perhaps announcing its decision on tariffs, another potential government shutdown, and a potential announcement from President Trump ab ...

Core Viewpoint - LATAM Airlines Group (LTM) has shown strong performance over the past year and is expected to maintain this momentum in the future, making it an attractive investment opportunity [1]. Performance Overview - LATAM Airlines shares have increased by 34.5% over the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Airline industry's growth of 28.2% [2][8]. - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of A, indicating strong investment potential [6]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter 2025 earnings has increased by 3.05% in the last 60 days, while the current year's earnings estimate has been revised upward by 4.23% [7][9]. - Earnings for fourth-quarter 2025 are projected to grow by 50% year over year, with expected improvements of 52.63% and 17.77% for 2025 and 2026, respectively [12][13]. Earnings Surprise History - LATAM Airlines has consistently surpassed earnings estimates, achieving an average earnings surprise of 29.84% over the last four quarters [11][12]. Growth Factors - The company benefits from a lean cost structure, expanding operations, and strategic partnerships, which enhance operational efficiency and competitive pricing [13]. - The normalization of air travel demand post-pandemic is expected to positively impact LATAM's revenue growth and profit margins [13].

Core Insights - Allegiant Travel Company (ALGT) reported a 10% increase in scheduled traffic for November 2025 compared to November 2024, with capacity rising by 9.5% year over year, resulting in a load factor increase to 80.5% from 80.2% [1][10] Group 1: Allegiant Travel Company Performance - Scheduled traffic, measured in revenue passenger miles, increased by 10% year over year in November 2025 [1] - Capacity, measured in available seat miles, rose by 9.5% compared to the previous year [1] - The load factor improved to 80.5%, indicating that traffic growth outpaced capacity expansion [1][10] - Total departures for scheduled services grew by 9.8% year over year in November 2025 [2] - The average stage length fell by 1.7% year over year [2] - Allegiant carried 10.4% more passengers in November 2025 compared to the same month last year [2][10] - System-wide capacity improved by 9.1% in October 2025 on a year-over-year basis [2] - Estimated fuel price per gallon in November 2025 was $2.76 [2] Group 2: Other Airline Companies Performance - Copa Holdings reported a 10% increase in available seat miles and a 10.2% increase in revenue passenger miles for November 2025 [5][6] - Copa's load factor rose to 86.2% from 86.1% year over year [6] - LATAM Airlines reported a 4.6% year-over-year increase in consolidated capacity and a 3.6% increase in consolidated traffic [8][9] - LATAM Airlines Brazil's domestic market saw a 12.1% year-over-year growth in traffic [9] - Ryanair transported 13.8 million passengers in November 2025, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase, with a load factor of 92% remaining flat [12]

Core Insights - Inflationary pressures are moderating, leading to a return of price stability in markets, which is beneficial for many companies as they face lower input costs and improving profit margins heading into 2026 [1][2] Sector Analysis Consumer Staples - The consumer staples sector is poised for growth as key commodity input costs related to agricultural products, such as dairy, sugar, vegetable oils, and grains, decline [3] - Food processors and packaged-goods manufacturers are regaining margins that were previously compressed due to high input inflation [4] Capital Goods and Manufacturing - Capital goods and manufacturing companies are expected to benefit from easing inflation, particularly those that consume energy and commodities, such as chemical and heavy machinery producers [5] - Lower prices for petroleum-based inputs and industrial metals are reducing project costs and improving returns on new capital investments [5] Airlines and Logistics - Airlines and logistics companies are classic beneficiaries of easing price pressures, as fuel costs, a major operating expense, are declining [6] - Companies like Delta Air Lines and FedEx are well-positioned for margin expansion as economic activity normalizes, with fuel savings directly impacting their bottom lines [7] Company Highlights United Natural Foods (UNFI) - UNFI is regaining margins as inflation cools, with a projected revenue increase of 1% and a significant EPS increase of 187.3% for fiscal 2026 compared to the previous year [10] - The company has improved its gross margin by approximately 20 basis points year over year due to better procurement conditions [9] FedEx Corp. (FDX) - FedEx is undergoing a cost realignment initiative that resulted in $2.2 billion in annual cost savings, positioning it for margin recovery as inflation pressures fade [11] - The company is expected to see a revenue increase of 4.6% for fiscal 2026, with operating margin expansion driven by lower fuel expenses and structural cost reductions [12] LATAM Airlines Group (LTM) - LATAM Airlines is benefiting from a lean cost structure and improved air travel demand, with a projected revenue increase of 10.1% and EPS increase of 17.8% for 2026 [16] - The company achieved an adjusted operating margin of 18.1% in Q3 2025, supported by a decline in jet fuel expenses [15] Conclusion - The analysis indicates that companies in consumer staples, logistics, and transportation sectors are well-positioned to leverage declining input costs to restore margins and enhance financial performance as inflation eases [19]

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The Transportation group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Has Expeditors International (EXPD) been one of those stocks this year? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Transportation peers, we might be able to answer that question.Expeditors International is one of 122 companies in the Transportation group. The Transportation group currently sits at #6 within the Zacks Sector Rank. The ...

Core Viewpoint - The Zacks Transportation - Airline industry has faced significant challenges due to the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, which lasted 43 days, leading to flight cancellations and operational disruptions. Despite these challenges, certain companies are expected to show resilience through growth strategies and operational efficiency [1][2]. Industry Overview - The Zacks Airline industry involves transporting passengers and cargo globally, with operators maintaining a fleet of mainline jets and regional planes. The industry includes both legacy carriers and low-cost airlines, and its performance is closely tied to the overall economy. Following the pandemic, air travel demand has improved, and there is a focus on boosting cargo revenues [3]. Factors Affecting Industry Performance - The recent government shutdown caused significant operational strain, with Delta Air Lines estimating a reduction in pre-tax profitability of nearly $200 million, or about 25 cents per share, for the December quarter due to the shutdown [4]. - Despite the shutdown, passenger volumes peaked during the Thanksgiving holiday, with a record 3.13 million passengers screened on a single day, indicating a positive trend for holiday travel [5]. - Labor costs have increased, with Delta reporting a 7% year-over-year rise in salaries and related costs in the first nine months of 2025, which is limiting bottom-line growth due to labor shortages and increased bargaining power of labor groups [6]. Industry Ranking and Earnings Outlook - The Zacks Airline industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 150, placing it in the bottom 38% of 243 Zacks industries, indicating a negative earnings outlook for the group [7][9]. - Earnings estimates for the industry have declined, with a 21.6% decrease for 2025 and an 8.3% decrease for 2026 over the past year, reflecting analysts' pessimism about earnings growth potential [10]. Market Performance - Over the past year, the Zacks Transportation - Airline industry has gained 8.2%, underperforming the S&P 500's rise of 14.6%, while the broader sector has declined by 6.8% [11]. Valuation Metrics - The industry has a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 0.54X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 5.3X and the sector's 1.31X. Historically, the industry has traded between 0.31X and 1.09X over the past five years [14]. Notable Companies to Watch - LATAM Airlines is benefiting from a lean cost structure and strategic partnerships, with an impressive earnings surprise history, averaging a 29.8% surprise over the last four quarters [16][17]. - SkyWest operates as a regional airline and has seen a 3.6% stock gain over the past six months, with a 7.2% upward revision in earnings estimates for 2026 [20][21]. - Delta has consistently surpassed earnings estimates, with an average beat of 8.9% over the last four quarters, and has gained 30% in stock value over the past six months [23][26].