6 Reasons Why You Should Add Ryanair Stock to Your Portfolio

Core Viewpoint - Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY) is experiencing a recovery in traffic following the pandemic, supported by fleet expansion and debt reduction efforts, making it an attractive investment option [2]. Group 1: Stock Performance - RYAAY shares have increased by 60.9% over the past year, significantly outperforming the Zacks Airline industry's 14.7% gain [3][8]. - The company holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of A, indicating strong investment potential [6]. Group 2: Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RYAAY's fourth-quarter 2025 earnings has risen by 33.33% in the last 60 days, with upward revisions of 2.54% and 2.81% for 2025 and 2026, respectively [7][9]. - RYAAY's earnings are projected to grow by 55.13% in 2025 and 13.58% in 2026, reflecting positive market sentiment [10]. Group 3: Traffic and Growth Factors - RYAAY expects to exceed 207 million passengers in fiscal 2026, driven by strong demand and fleet expansion [8][11]. - The airline carried over 200 million passengers in the fiscal year ending March 2025, marking a significant milestone as the first European carrier to achieve this [11]. Group 4: Financial Health - RYAAY ended the second quarter of fiscal 2026 with $3.58 billion in cash and cash equivalents, compared to a debt level of $1.40 billion, indicating a strong balance sheet [13]. - The company has made €1.2 billion in debt repayments as of September 30, 2025, allowing for shareholder rewards through buybacks and dividends [14].