Will Air Canada Stock Take Flight in June 2021?

Investing in recovery stocks such as Air Canada carries significant risks. However, investors might also beat the broader indexes if market conditions turn favourable.

| More on:
An airplace on a runway

Image source: Getty Images.

The accelerated rollout of vaccinations in most developed countries might lead to an improvement in growth rates of these economies. It means the time is ripe to invest in recovery stocks such as Air Canada (TSX:AC) that were decimated amid COVID-19. As most global economies imposed lockdowns and shut their borders, domestic and international air traffic came to a screeching halt.

Multiple sectors were decimated including retail, energy, and tourism. But few were hit as hard as the capital-intensive airline industry. For example, Air Canada’s revenue in the last four quarters stood at $2.84 billion compared to its record revenue of $19.1 billion in 2019.

But as countries are set to reopen in the second half of 2021, does it make sense to hold Air Canada stock right now?

Air Canada continues to focus on cost efficiencies

In Q1 of 2021, Air Canada reported operating revenue of $729 million, which was a decline of 80% year over year. It reported a negative EBITDA of $763 million compared to EBITDA of $71 million in the prior-year period.

Air Canada’s operating loss was over a billion dollars in Q1 compared to an operating loss of $433 million in the year ago period. The company burnt $1.274 billion in Q1, indicating average daily cash burn of $14 million. However, it also ended Q1 with $6.682 billion in unrestricted liquidity.

During its earnings release, Air Canada emphasized, “During the quarter, Air Canada’s cash burn rate progressively improved, albeit moderately given the ongoing impact of the pandemic on advance ticket sales. Air Canada had almost $6.6 billion in liquidity at the quarter’s end and we subsequently finalized a financial package with the Government of Canada (primarily comprised of repayable loans) to provide access of up to $5.9 billion more in liquidity. Beyond serving as a layer of insurance, this makes available, if required, the resources necessary to rebuild and compete in the post-pandemic world.”

Due to lower air traffic, Air Canada managed to reduce its operating costs by a significant margin. In Q1, the company reported $1.77 billion in total operating expenses compared to its prior-year figure of $4.15 billion.

What’s next for investors?

Air Canada is expected to increase sales by 8.9% to $6.35 billion in 2021 and its top-line growth might accelerate by 123% to $14.15 billion in 2022. However, we can see that the airline traffic might not reach pre-COVID-19 levels for another two years. Further, the shift towards remote work might negatively impact the recovery in the high-margin business travel verticals going forward.

Last year, Warren Buffett explained that Berkshire Hathaway made a mistake by investing in airline stocks, as it is a highly cyclical industry. The Oracle of Omaha also vowed never to enter this space again, as a sustainable competitive advantage has been elusive for several decades.

Bay Street has a 12-month average price target of $28 for Air Canada stock, which is marginally higher compared to its current trading price of $27.25.

Air Canada stock might gain momentum this month if the outlook for airline companies improves. Alternatively, it might also fall from current levels if COVID-19 infections continue to spread all around the world.

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.

The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Berkshire Hathaway (B shares) and recommends the following options: short June 2021 $240 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), short January 2023 $200 puts on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), and long January 2023 $200 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares). Fool contributor Aditya Raghunath has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Investing

Nuclear power station cooling tower
Metals and Mining Stocks

If You’d Invested $1,000 in Cameco Stock 5 Years Ago, This Is How Much You’d Have Now

Cameco (TSX:CCO) stock still looks undervalued, despite a 258% rally. Can the uranium miner deliver more capital gains to shareholders?

Read more »

Businessman holding tablet and showing a growing virtual hologram of statistics, graph and chart with arrow up on dark background. Stock market. Business growth, planning and strategy concept
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Magic: Earn Enormous Passive Income That the CRA Can’t Touch

If you're seeking out passive income, with zero taxes involved, then get on board with a TFSA and this portfolio…

Read more »

Man with no money. Businessman holding empty wallet
Dividend Stocks

2 Stocks Under $50 New Investors Can Confidently Buy

There are some great stocks under $50 that every investor needs to know about. Here’s a look at two great…

Read more »

potted green plant grows up in arrow shape
Stocks for Beginners

3 Growth Stocks I’m Buying in April

These three growth stocks are up in the last year, and that is likely to continue on as we keep…

Read more »

clock time
Tech Stocks

Long-Term Investing: 3 Top Canadian Stocks You Can Buy for Under $20 a Share

These three under-$20 stocks offer excellent buying opportunities for long-term investors.

Read more »

Arrowings ascending on a chalkboard
Energy Stocks

Beat the TSX With This Cash-Gushing Dividend Stock

Canadian Natural Resources stock is well set up to beat the TSX as it continues to generate strong cash flows…

Read more »

think thought consider
Dividend Stocks

Down 10.88%: Is ATD Stock a Good Buy After Earnings?

Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX:ATD) stock might not be the easy buy-case it once was. Here’s a look at what happened.

Read more »

money cash dividends
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Dividend Stocks: Earn $1,200/Year Tax-Free

Canadian stocks like Fortis are a must-have in your portfolio to earn tax-free yields for decades.

Read more »