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AAL vs. SKYW: Which Airline Stock is a Stronger Play Now?
ZACKS· 2025-05-28 14:40
Core Viewpoint - The article compares American Airlines (AAL) and SkyWest (SKYW) to determine which airline presents a better investment opportunity amid current economic uncertainties and industry challenges [3][20]. Group 1: American Airlines (AAL) - AAL projected earnings per share for Q2 2025 to be between $0.50 and $1, but withdrew its 2025 financial guidance due to tariff-induced economic uncertainties [4]. - AAL reported a narrower-than-expected loss in Q1 2025, maintaining an earnings surprise record for the last four quarters, despite facing a slowdown in domestic air travel demand [5]. - AAL's long-term debt was $24.7 billion at the end of Q1 2025, resulting in a debt-to-capitalization ratio exceeding 100%, significantly higher than the sub-industry average of 70.4% [6]. - Labor costs increased by 9.2% year-over-year in Q1 2025, primarily due to a deal with pilots, negatively impacting AAL's profitability [8]. - Fuel expenses decreased by 13.2% to $2.6 billion in Q1 2025, with average fuel prices dropping from $2.86 to $2.48 per gallon, providing some cost relief [9]. Group 2: SkyWest (SKYW) - SKYW has a strong track record of meeting the requirements of major airline partners, leading to impressive revenues from flying agreements [12]. - The current production delays at Boeing have benefited SKYW by improving its pilot-staffing situation, as major airlines have slowed down pilot hiring [13]. - SKYW's board approved a $250 million increase to its share repurchase plan, indicating a shareholder-friendly approach and lower leverage compared to AAL [14]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SKYW's 2025 and 2026 sales implies year-over-year increases of 10.5% and 4.2%, respectively, with EPS estimates showing increases of 19.4% and 6.4% for the same periods [19]. Group 3: Comparative Analysis - AAL is facing headwinds from high debt and labor costs, while SKYW's focus on domestic routes and lower debt levels positions it more favorably amid tariff-induced uncertainties [21]. - The article concludes that SKYW appears to be a better investment choice than AAL at this time, with SKYW holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) compared to AAL's 5 (Strong Sell) [22].
Devon Energy vs. Occidental: Which Energy Stock Has More Growth Ahead?
ZACKS· 2025-04-30 16:50
The oil and gas industry plays a vital role in the global economy, supplying the primary energy source for transportation, manufacturing, power generation and more. It involves the exploration, extraction, refining, transport, and sale of petroleum products. While the shift to renewables is accelerating, oil and gas remain indispensable due to their high energy density and established infrastructure. Devon Energy Corporation (DVN) and Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) are major U.S. oil and gas produce ...