Bernstein analyst David Vernon initiated coverage of the U.S. airline sector, saying that he is "bullish on the sector" and asserting that it has "favorable..dynamics." He expects the sector's stocks to have "higher average highs and higher average lows over time," driven partly by its investments in return enhancing programs, revenue enhancing initiatives, and "a stronger outlook for longer term capital return" which isn't reflected in valuation, according to the analyst. Vernon recommends owning airlines that have "less financial and operating leverage." He says that he is "favorably disposed" to Southwest (LUV) and Delta Air Lines (DAL), which he says have high returns and low leverage, and is less upbeat on United Continental (UAL), which he says has higher operating leverage and execution risk. He is bearish on American Airlines (AAL), as he thinks that its capacity growth and financial leverage create significant risk. The analyst started coverage of Southwest with an Outperform rating and a $51 price target. He initiated coverage of Delta and United Continental with Market Perform ratings and $43 and $55 price targets, respectively. He launched American with a $31 price target and Underperform rating.

Says saw nice acceleration in managed business revenues in Q1. Says continued streak of "solid" operations performance in Q1. Says eliminating service in Syracuse, Cozumel, Bellingham, and Houston. Says reducing flights in Atlanta and Chicago. Comments taken from Q1 earnings conference call.

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American CFO Devon May said on the company's Q1 call: "Aircraft delivery delays are impacting the entire industry, but they are not having the same impact on American as other carriers since we are not as dependent on new aircraft deliveries as most of our peers. We have modest aircraft CapEx requirements this decade due to our previous refleeting efforts. We now expect our 2024 aircraft CapEx to be approximately $2.2B, our total CapEx to be approximately $3.1B. We continue to expect aircraft CapEx to be approximately $3B to $3.5B per year from 2025 through 2030."

Strengthening the balance sheet remains a top priority for American. In the first quarter, the company reduced total debt by nearly $950 million and has now achieved more than $12 billion, or over 80%, of its goal of reducing total debt by $15 billion by the end of 2025.

The company said, :American is running the best operation in its history because of a steadfast commitment to operational excellence and strong collaboration across the entire airline. The company produced its best-ever first-quarter completion factor and improved its mishandled baggage rate year over year. American achieved these results despite air traffic control challenges and significant weather events across its network during the quarter."

Reports Q1 revenue $12.6B, consensus $12.6B. "The American Airlines team continues to build a reliable, efficient and resilient airline," said American's CEO Robert Isom. "While we aren't satisfied with our first-quarter financial results, we have a strong foundation in place, and we remain on track to deliver on our full-year financial targets. Our team is running a fantastic operation, driving revenue through our commercial initiatives, efficiently managing costs, and producing free cash flow to further strengthen our balance sheet."

Notable companies reporting before tomorrow's open, with earnings consensus, include Merck (MRK), consensus $1.87... Caterpillar (CAT), consensus $5.14... Comcast (CMSCA), consensus 99c... Honeywell (HON), consensus $2.17... Bristol-Myers (BMY), consensus ($4.44)... Altria (MO), consensus $1.15... Keurig Dr. Pepper (KDP), consensus 35c... GE Vernova (GEV), consensus (37c)... Royal Caribbean (RCL), consensus $1.33... Tractor Supply (TSCO), consensus $1.72... Mobileye (MBLY), consensus (6c)... Textron (TXT), consensus $1.23... LabCorp (LH), consensus $3.48... Southwest Airlines (LUV), consensus (34c)... American Airlines (AAL), consensus (29c)... Harley-Davidson (HOG), consensus $1.51.