-- Stifel Canada trimmed its price target on Air Canada (AC.TO) shares to $25.50 from $28.00 while maintaining its buy rating ahead of the company reporting its first-quarter results after market close on April 30.
Analyst Daryl Young expects the results to be relatively strong, despite challenges related to winter storms, Cuba fuel crises, Mexico safety disruptions, and the Middle East conflict. "However, the key focus will be the durability of demand and pace of fuel price pass-through heading into the peak Q3 period (traditionally >40% of EBITDA)."
Young believes demand has remained resilient. Air Canada is also well-positioned versus smaller Canadian peers given its scale, flexible fleet, and segmented offering, he points out.
"We expect AC to lower its full-year 2026 guidance alongside Q1/26 results or possibly withdraw it altogether, in favour of quarter-to-quarter guidance pending fuel price stability."
Price: $18.30, Change: $-0.22, Percent Change: -1.19%