Goldman Sachs downgrades American Airlines: Neutral → Sell
-Industry-wide demand outlook revised lower for Q1 and beyond
-AAL’s high leverage and weak financial structure seen as key vulnerabilities
Seat capacity cuts across carriers may help cushion demand shocks in H2
Opinion
Goldman Sachs sees American Airlines as one of the most vulnerable names in the airline space due to its elevated fixed cost base and financial fragility. The firm expects weak demand to persist through 2025, with geopolitical risk adding further downside pressure.
Core Sell Point
American Airlines faces amplified downside risk due to its high fixed costs and weak balance sheet, making it one of the least defensible airline stocks in a downturn.
Goldman Sachs has downgraded its investment rating on American Airlines (AAL) from Neutral to Sell, citing deteriorating demand and rising economic uncertainty across the airline industry.
The firm lowered its industry-wide demand forecast as of the end of Q1 and expects weakness to persist throughout the remainder of the year. American Airlines, in particular, was flagged for its high operating leverage and fragile balance sheet, which leave it especially exposed to cyclical downturns.
One mitigating factor, according to Goldman, is that many carriers have begun cutting seat capacity, which could help soften the blow of weaker demand in the second half of the year. Still, the firm warned that elevated geopolitical risks and macro headwinds warrant a more defensive investment approach across the airline sector.
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