American Airlines Stock Drops Due to Rising Fuel Prices
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 06 2026
0mins
Source: Benzinga
- Fuel Price Shock: American Airlines is under pressure from soaring fuel prices, with jet fuel costs rising from $2 per gallon in 2025 to over $4, significantly increasing operating expenses and impacting profitability.
- Earnings Sensitivity: Analysts indicate that every 10-cent increase in fuel costs can reduce American Airlines' earnings per share by approximately 25%, making the company particularly vulnerable in the current fuel price environment.
- Technical Indicators: The stock is currently positioned below all major moving averages, trading 17.2% below its 20-day SMA and 22% below its 50-day SMA, indicating a bearish trend that warrants caution from investors.
- Long-term Performance: Over the past 12 months, American Airlines' stock has declined by 14.60%, currently trading at 35.0% of its 52-week range, suggesting potential undervaluation but also highlighting the risks associated with a continued downtrend.
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Analyst Views on AAL
Wall Street analysts forecast AAL stock price to rise
15 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
7 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 14.650
Low
11.00
Averages
17.93
High
22.00
Current: 14.650
Low
11.00
Averages
17.93
High
22.00
About AAL
American Airlines Group Inc. is a holding company. Its primary business activity is the operation of a major network air carrier, providing scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo through its hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. and partner gateways, including in London, Doha, Madrid, Seattle/Tacoma, Sydney and Tokyo, among others. Together with its regional airline subsidiaries and third-party regional carriers operating as American Eagle. Its cargo division provides a wide range of freight and mail services, with facilities and interline connections available across the globe. It operates approximately 977 mainline aircraft supported by its regional airline subsidiaries and third-party regional carriers, which together operate an additional 585 regional aircraft. Its subsidiaries include American Airlines, Inc., Envoy Aviation Group Inc., PSA Airlines, Inc. and Piedmont Airlines, Inc.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Customer Experience Improvement: While good internet service won't solve all of American Airlines' issues, this upgrade could help attract higher-paying customers as consumers become increasingly sensitive to passenger experience, thereby enhancing customer loyalty.
- Need for Strategic Transformation: Although the introduction of Starlink is a significant step towards modernization, analysts believe it is not enough to bring American Airlines on par with competitors like Delta and United, indicating that the company must invest further in technology to keep pace with consumer demands.
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- Initial Strategic Shift: This technological upgrade is seen as an important step for American Airlines in enhancing customer loyalty and attracting higher-paying customers, although further investment is needed to keep pace with industry modernization.
See More
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- Industry Opposition: Major airline, hotel, and tourism groups warned that cutting immigration and customs processing at U.S. airports would have a 'devastating' impact on the industry and travelers, particularly at Newark Liberty International Airport, a hub for United Airlines.
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- Strong Stock Market Performance: Despite rising geopolitical tensions, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at record highs, primarily driven by a surge in AI-related stocks, indicating strong market confidence in the technology sector.
- Oil Price Warning: ExxonMobil has warned that oil inventories are on track to reach dangerously low levels in the coming weeks, forcing prices to spike and curbing demand, reflecting market concerns over energy supply.
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See More
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- Policy Impact: Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin mentioned in an interview that his department is considering pulling Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents from airports in these cities, potentially affecting cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Boston.
- Industry Response: The U.S. Travel Association confirmed that such a move would have 'devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities that depend on international visitation,' as discussed in a recent meeting with Mullin.
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See More
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- Policy Impact: Homeland Security Secretary Mark Mullin indicated that the government is considering stopping international flight processing in cities with lenient immigration policies, raising concerns about severe impacts on international flights, especially in major hubs like New York and Los Angeles.
- Operational Disruption Risk: Airlines for America warned that reducing Customs and Border Protection staffing at major airports would significantly disrupt airline and tourism operations, affecting traveler flow and international cargo transport, potentially leading to higher costs and inconveniences for airlines and travelers.
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