Tag: hurt

American Airlines (AAL) Hurt by Low Travel Demand & High Debt

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We recently issued an updated report on American Airlines Group Inc. AAL.

Sharp drop in air-travel demand is hurting passenger revenues, which contribute majorly to the top line. The carrier incurred a loss in each of the first three quarters of 2020, mainly due to the 64.2% drop in passenger revenues in the first nine months of 2020.

Long-haul international capacity is estimated to be down nearly 75% in the final quarter of 2020. Moreover, with the spike in coronavirus cases in the United States, the company witnessed further softness in demand.

The company’s total debt-to-total capital ratio stood at 1.2 at the end of the third quarter, higher than its reading of 1.11 at the end of the June quarter. This implies that a company is highly leveraged with more risk of insolvency.

Nevertheless, low fuel prices are helping American Airlines partly offset the adversities. Evidently, average fuel cost per gallon (on a consolidated basis: including taxes) declined 25.4% to $1.55 in the first nine months of 2020. With major part of the fleet remaining grounded/under-utilized, fuel gallons consumed declined 49% in the first nine months of 2020, thereby driving the bottom line.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

American Airlines currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Some better-ranked stocks in the broader Zacks Transportation sector are Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. KNX, FedEx Corporation FDX and Herc Holdings Inc. HRI. All the stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Long-term expected earnings per share (three to five years) growth rate for Knight-Swift, FedEx and Herc Holdings is pegged at 15%, 12% and 12.6%, respectively.

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FedEx Corporation (FDX): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Herc Holdings Inc. (HRI): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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Zacks Investment Research

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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Scotland travel to Serbia longing to end 22 years of hurt

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Scotland have the chance to qualify for a first major tournament in 22 years when they travel to Serbia for a Euro 2020 playoff final on Thursday.

Not since the World Cup in 1998 when the Tartan Army descended on France have Scottish fans had the chance to see their nation on the biggest stage.

“I’ve never experienced Scotland qualifying for a tournament so every single campaign that comes around I dream of that feeling when it’s finally clinched,” said Laura Brannan a self-confessed “proud but tortured” member of the Tartan Army. “It would mean everything to get over the line and be invited to the party for once.”

A huge hurdle remains in Belgrade against a Serbia side ranked 15 places above Scotland in the FIFA rankings and boasting a side containing the likes of Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Ajax’s Dusan Tadic.

However, an eight-game unbeaten run over the past year has restored hope among Scotland fans that a talented squad, filled with proven Premier League performers such as Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney and Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn, can end the long wait.

“That dream is always there when you start out a campaign, you think this is going to be the one,” said Scotland manager Steve Clarke.

Clarke’s often dour demeanour in public belies a spirit of belief he has harnessed since taking charge after the wreckage of a 3-0 defeat in Kazakhstan in March 2019.

“Maybe before we were looking after ourselves,” said Ryan Fraser, who will miss Thursday’s clash through injury, after scoring the winner against the Czech Republic in the Nations League last month.

“Now we’ve got that morale and togetherness that if someone makes a mistake you bail them out because they will bail you out next time.

“There’s no cliques or little groups. Everyone is smiling again and everyone wants to come away and play for Scotland.”

‘Just our luck’

There have been brief moments to saviour amid Scotland’s largely torturous two decades of failure.

Famous victories home and away against France were still not enough to reach Euro 2008 with world champions Italy also in a devilishly difficult group.

England and the Netherlands were also beaten in playoffs for Euro 2000 and 2004 but Scotland were defeated over two legs.

Yet embarrassing defeats were more common. Twice in Tbilisi to Georgia, in Macedonia and the debacle of Kazakhstan, plus draws in Moldova and the Faroe Islands.

Of UEFA’s 55 nations, only 19 have failed to reach a major tournament since Scotland last did.

“There is a whole generation who have just never experienced a major tournament and what it’s like,” said Anthony Joseph, Sky Sports journalist and member of the Portlethen Tartan Army.

The carrot for qualification is even greater as Scotland would host two of their three group games at Hampden should they reach Euro 2020 and the tournament proceed as planned in 12 countries across the continent.

Yet, there is also regret that

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