Why Did Air Canada (TSX:AC) Stock Surge 30% in 30 Days?

Air Canada (TSX:AC) stock was crushed during the pandemic, but shares are surging. What’s the cause, and is there still time for you to profit?

| More on:
little girl in pilot costume playing and dreaming of flying over the sky

Image source: Getty Images

If you owned Air Canada (TSX:AC) shares in the past month, you’re likely very pleased. They’ve risen 30% in just 30 days.

For many, the rise makes sense. We’re vaccinating the world rapidly, and pent-up demand for air travel will fuel summer sales. Others are more skeptical. We may be years away from a full rebound in passenger traffic.

Why did shares pop recently? Can you still profit?

Know these numbers now

Every business must generate profits in order to stay in business long term. The market will only subsidize losses for so long. There are rare companies like Amazon that investors are willing to back for decades without accounting profits, but everyone knows that breakneck growth rates more than compensate.

With Air Canada, you have neither high growth rates nor underlying profits. Last year, the company lost nearly $1 billion every 90 days. While that’s not a sustainable business model, the company plugged the gap by selling more debt and issuing more shares. The grand bargain with the market was reached: investors will subsidize losses as long as there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Even after a difficult year, Air Canada remains in a strong financial position.

“We ended the year with $8 billion of unrestricted liquidity,” said company CEO Calvin Rovinescu last month. Just don’t think we’re out of the woods yet.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, net cash burn of $1.4 billion or approximately $15 million per day on average was in line with our expectations,” concluded Rovinescu. That number was in line with expectations, but it still paints an ugly picture.

Looking at remaining liquidity, the airline may have only six quarters of operational flexibility left. The clock is ticking.

Can you profit with Air Canada stock?

Betting on airlines right now is difficult, but the potential for profit is very high. If Air Canada stock returned to its pre-pandemic levels, there would be nearly 100% in upside.

What are the odds that AC stock surges higher yet again? Recent conditions need to not only persist, but improve.

Consider the last 30 days. We had positive vaccine news from around the world. Passenger traffic is rebounding strongly from historical lows. It looks like we’re in the midst of a strong recovery for air travel.

The only question left is this: Will conditions continue to improve? This question is stumping even the most expert investors, like Warren Buffett, who refuses to jump back into airlines given the extreme uncertainty.

“The world has changed for the airlines. And I don’t know how it’s changed and I hope it corrects itself in a reasonably prompt way,” he told CNBC after selling his airline stakes. “I don’t know if Americans have now changed their habits or will change their habits because of the extended period.”

It’s not just Americans. The market is uncertain what the world’s flying habits will be post-pandemic.

This is essentially the bet. Will sales spike higher than ever before due to pent-up demand? Or, will they remain depressed for years, forcing airlines to chase fewer passengers with the same supply of planes?

Your answer to this question will dictate your next investing move.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. David Gardner owns shares of Amazon. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon and recommends the following options: long January 2022 $1920 calls on Amazon and short January 2022 $1940 calls on Amazon. Fool contributor Ryan Vanzo has no position in any stocks mentioned.

More on Coronavirus

Aircraft wing plane
Coronavirus

1 TSX Stock Down 60% That Could Bounce Back Stronger

Air Canada (TSX:AC) stock got severely beaten down in the March 2020 COVID crash. Here's why it's probably not going…

Read more »

A bull and bear face off.
Stocks for Beginners

Down 30% in 3 Months, Is AC Stock a Buy Today?

Air Canada stock (TSX:AC) climbed this year and is still up 10% in the last year, but down 30% in…

Read more »

Airport and plane
Stocks for Beginners

This Bargain Stock Is the Cheapest It’s Been in Years

This top stock still trades below $25 per share, despite much positive movement. A strong opportunity could be in the…

Read more »

Hands holding trophy cup on sky background
Stocks for Beginners

Here’s Why Shopify Stock Can Be a Long-term Winner

Shopify stock (TSX:SHOP) is still lightyears away from where it was at all-time highs, but those prices could be reached…

Read more »

Coworkers standing near a wall
Stocks for Beginners

Everyone Is Talking About This Stock: Is It a Good Long-term Option?

NFI stock (TSX:NFI) reported record earnings this week, with a huge backlog and production ramp up. So why did shares…

Read more »

stock market
Tech Stocks

A Bull Market Could Be Here: 3 Reasons to Buy WELL Stock

WELL stock (TSX:WELL) may have crashed since the lifting of pandemic restrictions, but after 18 record quarters, it's time to…

Read more »

Airport and plane
Stocks for Beginners

Afraid You Missed Your Chance With This High-Flying Stock? Think Again

Bombardier stock (TSX:BBD.B) continues to experience major demand for its business jets, which is why now is the time to…

Read more »

Coronavirus

Stocks With Stamina: 3 Plays That Stayed Healthy Even During COVID

COVID was a good litmus test to differentiate resilient stocks from the rest. These stocks might be viable options, even…

Read more »