Airline stocks are finishing 2024 strong
The top 10 travel days in the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) long history all came in 2024, according to the US Department of Transportation. With travel booming and Delta Air Lines in the spotlight to start 2025, let's check in on three airline stocks all fresh off recent highs.
Upgrade Potential for AAL, LUV
Despite a system outage and ground stop on Christmas Eve, American Airlines Group Inc (NASDAQ:AAL) stock is heading toward a 2.7% weekly win. The shares are 26.2% higher in 2024, and a chip shot away from their Dec. 10 annual high of $18.20.
Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE:LUV) stock is down 0.2% to trade at $34.11, also not too far from its Dec. 5 annual high of $36.12. The shares' 40-day moving average has helped LUV carve a channel of higher highs and an 18.3% year-to-date lead.
Both stocks are underappreciated by brokerages, leaving room for upgrades and/or price-target hikes that could keep the wind at AAL, LUV's back.
The Leader of the Pack
The best airline stock of the bunch is United Airlines Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:UAL) last seen off by 0.8% to trade at $100.11. After topping triple digits on Dec. 5 on the way to a record high of $105.49, the shares have tested and reclaimed $100 in the subsequent weeks. Year-to-date, UAL is up 143%, thanks in large part to a 75% quarterly gain.
There's some short squeeze potential to monitor. Short interest is up 10.8% in the most recent reporting period, and the 19.96 million shares sold short now account for 6.1% of UAL's total available float.