American Airlines Stock Is Down 28% in 2025 But Billionaire David Tepper Is Betting on a Turnaround

Core Viewpoint - American Airlines (AAL) stock has declined over 28% in 2025, underperforming the broader market, yet billionaire hedge fund manager David Tepper has increased his stake by 9.25 million shares in Q3, indicating a contrarian investment approach in a challenging macroeconomic environment [1][2]. Company Performance - American Airlines reported Q3 results that exceeded expectations, with revenue of $13.69 billion and an adjusted loss of $0.17 per share, compared to estimates of $13.63 billion and a loss of $0.28 per share [4]. - For the current quarter, AAL forecasts adjusted earnings per share between $0.45 and $0.75, surpassing the Wall Street estimate of $0.31. At the midpoint, this would result in earnings of $0.80 per share for 2025, significantly above the consensus estimate of $0.43 per share [5]. Industry Trends - The airline industry is experiencing a shift in travel patterns, with a decline in profitability during the summer months as travelers now prefer fall or winter trips to avoid crowded destinations [6]. - In 2025, the industry faces challenges due to an oversupply of domestic flights and weak customer demand, influenced by economic uncertainty and changing tariff policies, leading airlines to cut growth plans and capacity to avoid unprofitable routes [7][8].