What is Zacks Research’s Forecast for AAL Q1 Earnings?

American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for American Airlines Group in a research note issued on Monday, February 16th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the airline will earn ($0.33) per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of ($0.39). The consensus estimate for American Airlines Group’s current full-year earnings is $2.42 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for American Airlines Group’s Q2 2026 earnings at $0.90 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.29 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.98 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $1.85 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.98 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.62 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $0.46 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.42 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $2.49 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $3.51 EPS.

American Airlines Group (NASDAQ:AAL) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The airline reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.38 by ($0.22). American Airlines Group had a negative return on equity of 5.90% and a net margin of 0.20%.The company had revenue of $14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $14.12 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.86 EPS. American Airlines Group’s quarterly revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. American Airlines Group has set its Q1 2026 guidance at -0.500–0.100 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 1.700-2.700 EPS.

Several other research firms have also recently commented on AAL. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of American Airlines Group in a research note on Monday, December 29th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a “market perform” rating and set a $17.00 price objective on shares of American Airlines Group in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. TD Cowen dropped their target price on shares of American Airlines Group from $19.00 to $17.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Argus upgraded American Airlines Group to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price objective on American Airlines Group from $15.00 to $17.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, American Airlines Group currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $17.19.

American Airlines Group Stock Performance

Shares of AAL opened at $13.59 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $8.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 79.94, a P/E/G ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 1.25. American Airlines Group has a one year low of $8.50 and a one year high of $16.50. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $14.93 and a 200 day moving average price of $13.56.

Institutional Trading of American Airlines Group

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in American Airlines Group during the second quarter worth about $418,000. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. acquired a new position in shares of American Airlines Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $143,000. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al bought a new stake in shares of American Airlines Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,327,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of American Airlines Group by 9.5% in the 2nd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 20,443 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $229,000 after buying an additional 1,773 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC grew its stake in shares of American Airlines Group by 11.2% in the second quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 15,135 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $170,000 after buying an additional 1,527 shares in the last quarter. 52.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting American Airlines Group

Here are the key news stories impacting American Airlines Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised several medium‑ and longer‑term estimates (FY2026, FY2027, FY2028 and multiple quarterly lifts), signaling improved analyst earnings expectations that can support the share price. MarketBeat AAL report
• Positive Sentiment: Positive PR for CEO Robert Isom — a Yale professor publicly backing him — may ease investor concerns around management and labor tensions. American Airlines CEO Can’t Catch A Break, Even When Yale Praises Him
• Neutral Sentiment: Short‑interest entries show 0 shares and NaN changes — likely a data/reporting artifact rather than a true surge in shorting, so no clear signal to drive price. (Data timestamped Feb. 19–20)
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst comparison pieces continue to favor peers (Delta) over AAL, highlighting relative underperformance but not an immediate catalyst. This keeps AAL in a competitive spotlight. DAL vs. AAL: Which Airline Stock Is a Stronger Play Now?
• Negative Sentiment: Rising crude/fuel costs are an immediate margin risk and were cited as a reason for a recent share decline; investors are also parsing the company’s 10‑K and an upcoming safety‑related vote — all near‑term negatives that can pressure the stock. Stock Market Today, Feb. 19: American Airlines Falls as Rising Fuel Costs Test 2026 Earnings Outlook

About American Airlines Group

American Airlines Group Inc is a leading global airline holding company headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Formed in December 2013 through the merger of AMR Corporation (parent of American Airlines) and US Airways Group, the company operates one of the world’s largest passenger and cargo networks. Its subsidiaries include American Airlines, which provides mainline service, and American Eagle, a network of regional carriers operating short- and medium-haul routes on behalf of the mainline carrier.

The company offers scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 350 destinations in over 50 countries.