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Air Canada (TSE:AC)
TSX:AC

Air Canada (AC) AI Stock Analysis

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Air Canada

(TSX:AC)

68Neutral
Air Canada's overall stock score reflects a balance of strong revenue performance and operational improvements against the backdrop of financial challenges such as high leverage and declining profit margins. The stock appears undervalued, but technical indicators suggest caution.
Positive Factors
Financial Performance
Air Canada is on track to retire 14% of its fully diluted shares, indicating a strong financial position and ability to distribute excess cash to shareholders.
Market Position
Air Canada is expected to shift focus from network restoration to network optimization over the coming years.
Revenue Performance
Air Canada reported better than expected Q4/24 results, driven by stronger than expected passenger revenue per available seat mile, highlighting a healthy demand environment.
Negative Factors
Bookings Decline
Bookings for transborder flights are tracking down 10% across the industry for the 2025 peak season.
Tariff Concerns
The risk to Air Canada's 2025 outlook has increased due to a potentially escalating trade war with the US.
Trade Uncertainty
Transborder demand reaction in certain leisure destinations is negatively impacted due to US-Canada trade uncertainty.

Air Canada (AC) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

Air Canada Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAir Canada provides domestic, U.S. transborder, and international airline services. It offers scheduled passenger services under the Air Canada Vacations and Air Canada Rouge brand name in the Canadian market, the Canada-U.S. transborder market, and in the international market to and from Canada, as well as through capacity purchase agreements on other regional carriers. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated a fleet of 175 aircraft under the Air Canada mainline brand name comprising 97 Boeing and Airbus narrow-body aircraft, and 78 Boeing and Airbus wide-body aircraft; 123 aircraft under the Air Canada Express brand name, including 50 Mitsubishi regional jets, 48 De Havilland Dash-8 turboprop aircraft and 25 Embraer 175 aircraft; and 39 aircraft under the Air Canada Rouge brand name consisting of 14 Airbus A321 aircraft, 5 Airbus A320 aircraft, and 20 Airbus A319 aircraft. It also provides air cargo services in domestic and U.S. transborder routes, as well as on international routes between Canada and markets in Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia. In addition, the company operates, develops, markets, and distributes vacation travel packages in the Caribbean, Mexico, the United States, Europe, Central and South America, South Pacific, Australia, and Asia; offers cruise packages in North America, Europe, and the Caribbean; and provides travel loyalty programs. Air Canada was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Saint-Laurent, Canada.
How the Company Makes MoneyAir Canada generates revenue primarily through passenger air transportation services, which account for the majority of its income. This includes ticket sales for both domestic and international flights. Additionally, the company earns money from cargo services, transporting goods across its extensive flight network. Ancillary services, such as seat upgrades, in-flight purchases, and baggage fees, also contribute to its revenue streams. Air Canada's loyalty program, Aeroplan, provides further income through partnerships with other airlines and retail partners, allowing members to earn and redeem points. The company benefits from strategic partnerships and code-sharing agreements with other airlines within the Star Alliance, enhancing its network reach and customer base.

Air Canada Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Air Canada's financial performance shows a mix of strengths and weaknesses. While revenue growth and an improved equity position are positive, declining profit margins and high leverage pose significant risks. The reduction in free cash flow also highlights potential challenges in sustaining growth.
Income Statement
72
Positive
The company's income statement shows a mixed performance. The gross profit margin for 2024 is 24.5%, indicating efficient cost management. However, the net profit margin has decreased from 10.42% in 2023 to 7.73% in 2024, showing a decline in profitability. Revenue growth from 2023 to 2024 was modest at 1.93%. EBIT and EBITDA margins have also decreased, pointing to increased operational expenses or reduced efficiency.
Balance Sheet
64
Positive
The balance sheet reveals potential risks with a high debt-to-equity ratio of 5.31 in 2024, suggesting significant leverage and potential financial risk. However, the equity ratio improved from 2.63% in 2023 to 7.65% in 2024, indicating better equity standing. Return on equity is high at 72.00%, but this is influenced by low equity levels.
Cash Flow
68
Positive
Cash flow statements indicate challenges with free cash flow declining significantly from 2023 to 2024, with a growth rate of -53.04%. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 2.29, suggesting strong cash generation relative to net income. However, the decrease in free cash flow to net income ratio from 1.21 in 2023 to 0.75 in 2024 reflects reduced cash available for expansion or debt repayment.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
22.25B21.83B16.56B6.40B5.83B
Gross Profit
5.46B6.15B2.80B-1.62B-2.31B
EBIT
1.26B2.28B-187.00M-3.05B-3.78B
EBITDA
3.04B4.83B1.00B-1.65B-2.39B
Net Income Common Stockholders
1.72B2.28B-1.70B-3.60B-4.65B
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
6.98B8.55B7.99B8.80B7.50B
Total Assets
31.21B30.20B29.51B30.61B28.91B
Total Debt
12.67B13.86B16.31B16.52B12.99B
Net Debt
10.15B11.04B13.61B12.28B9.33B
Total Liabilities
28.82B29.40B31.06B30.61B27.20B
Stockholders Equity
2.39B796.00M-1.55B9.00M1.72B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
1.29B2.76B796.00M-2.64B-3.56B
Operating Cash Flow
3.93B4.32B2.37B-1.56B-2.35B
Investing Cash Flow
-1.36B-1.83B-2.50B-1.87B-733.00M
Financing Cash Flow
-2.87B-2.37B-1.61B4.01B4.70B

Air Canada Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price14.14
Price Trends
50DMA
16.29
Negative
100DMA
19.58
Negative
200DMA
18.40
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.79
Positive
RSI
22.54
Positive
STOCH
11.19
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:AC, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 14.14 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 14.59, below the 50-day MA of 16.29, and below the 200-day MA of 18.40, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.79 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 22.54 is Positive, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 11.19 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for TSE:AC.

Air Canada Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
TSFTG
73
Outperform
C$181.25M15.8917.82%18.03%-6.83%
TSAC
68
Neutral
$4.42B2.68112.28%1.93%-24.67%
62
Neutral
$7.67B13.253.04%3.47%3.63%-13.99%
56
Neutral
C$6.69B17.393.54%0.45%-17.78%-41.13%
TSCHR
46
Neutral
C$513.73M-1.28%-12.40%-529.26%
TSTRZ
45
Neutral
C$62.27M12.83%5.10%-484.90%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:AC
Air Canada
13.22
-5.82
-30.57%
CAE
CAE
22.26
2.59
13.17%
TSE:CHR
Chorus Aviation
19.07
3.95
26.12%
TSE:FTG
Firan Tech
7.46
1.82
32.27%
TSE:ONEX
ONEX Corporation
87.25
-10.22
-10.49%
TSE:TRZ
Transat AT V & VV
1.50
-2.02
-57.39%

Air Canada Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Feb 14, 2025 | % Change Since: -22.39% | Next Earnings Date: May 7, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
Air Canada reported a record revenue year with strong EBITDA and operational improvements, despite facing challenges in the Atlantic market and concerns over fuel price volatility. The successful pilot agreement and cargo revenue growth were significant highlights, contributing positively to overall performance.
Highlights
Record Full Year Revenue
Air Canada reported a record full year revenue of $22.3 billion, marking a 2% increase on a 5% increase in capacity.
Strong Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow
The company finished the year with $3.6 billion of adjusted EBITDA, slightly above their guidance, and generated $1.3 billion in free cash flow.
Operational Improvements
Air Canada achieved an 8-point gain in on-time performance over 2023, highlighting pronounced operational improvements.
Successful Pilot Agreement
A new agreement with pilots was secured, avoiding significant operational disruptions.
Cargo Revenue Growth
Q4 cargo revenues increased 20% year-over-year, and full year cargo revenues grew by 7% to nearly $1 billion.
Lowlights
Atlantic Market Challenges
The Atlantic market faced challenges due to overcapacity and geopolitical instability, impacting traffic and yields.
Geopolitical and Economic Uncertainties
The company experienced challenges from geopolitical disruptions, inflation impacts, and lingering supply chain issues.
Jet Fuel Price Volatility
Concerns over jet fuel price volatility remain, with fuel prices being higher than initial assumptions.
Company Guidance
During the Air Canada Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Earnings Conference Call, the company reported a strong revenue performance with a record full-year revenue of $22.3 billion, marking a 2% year-over-year increase on a 5% capacity growth. Adjusted EBITDA also reached $3.6 billion, marginally surpassing their guidance. Key achievements highlighted by Michael Rousseau included securing a new agreement with pilots to avoid operational disruptions, and an 8-point improvement in on-time performance compared to 2023. Additionally, Air Canada successfully completed a share buyback program, repurchasing over 35 million shares. Looking forward, the company plans to achieve $30 billion in operating revenues by 2028, targeting at least a 17% adjusted EBITDA margin and a 5% free cash flow margin. The company remains focused on strategic growth and operational adjustments to maintain agility in response to market conditions.
Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.