Why American Airlines Shares Are Surging On Friday

by | Feb 6, 2026 | General

American Airlines Group Inc. (NYSE:AAL) shares are jumping higher on Friday. The airline stock’s upward movement came as the S&P 500 climbed 1.68% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 2.16%, suggesting American Airlines benefited from improved overall market sentiment rather than company-specific catalysts.

• American Airlines Group shares are powering higher. What’s fueling AAL momentum?

Recent Performance Challenges

Despite Friday’s rally, American Airlines has struggled over the past year, posting a 12-month decline of 11.02%. The stock is now trading closer to its 52-week high of $17.40 than its low of $8.50, indicating some recovery from earlier weakness.

The carrier recently reported a fourth-quarter earnings miss on Jan. 27, with adjusted earnings of 16 cents per share falling short of the 30-cent consensus estimate.

According to Goldman Sachs analyst Catherine O’Brien, the company faced a $325 million revenue headwind from the U.S. government shutdown.

Weather Disruptions Loom

American Airlines guided to 2026 earnings of $1.70-$2.70 per share, with the midpoint exceeding consensus expectations of $1.97 per share.

However, management warned that Winter Storm Fern is expected to have a “material impact” on first-quarter results, with estimated revenue losses of $150 million to $200 million.

AAL’s Technical Indicators Mixed

The stock is trading 3.3% above its 20-day simple moving average (SMA) and 11.2% above its 100-day SMA, demonstrating some short-term strength while remaining above key longer-term averages.

The RSI is at 45.92, indicating neutral territory, while the MACD is below its signal line, suggesting bearish pressure on the stock. The combination of neutral RSI and bearish MACD indicates mixed momentum, which traders should monitor closely.

  • Key Resistance: $16.50
  • Key Support: $12.50

Earnings Forecast and Analyst Views

Investors are looking ahead to the next earnings report on April 23, 2026.

  • EPS Estimate: Loss of 29 cents (Up from Loss of 59 cents year-over-year)
  • Revenue Estimate: $13.60 billion (Up from $12.55 billion YoY)
  • Valuation: P/E of 83.3x (Indicates premium valuation)

AAL Price Action

American Airlines Group shares were up 7.17% at $15.18 at the time of publication on Friday, according to Benzinga Pro data.

Photo by Markus Mainka via Shutterstock