J.P. Morgan’s Huge Upward Revisions on Airline Price Targets

In a new report, the airline team at J.P. Morgan pinpoints one major reason for the airlines huge leap in profits. Managements that were very ready to engage in airline fare wars and horrible capital decisions are now competing with one another in terms of buyback schemes and dividends. This is a huge plus for investors.

J.P. Morgan only rates four stocks at Overweight due to valuation increases, but two have their price targets pushed up dramatically. With top names still having some nice upside, and the potential for fuel costs to drop, investors may want to add one of these top stocks to a growth portfolio. All four of these stocks held up very well in Thursday’s brutal sell-off.

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American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL) leads off the list, and it has been absolutely on fire this year, up more than 50%. It is the holding company for American Airlines and U.S. Airways. Together with wholly owned and third-party regional carriers operating as American Eagle and U.S. Airways Express, the airlines operate an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to 339 destinations in 54 countries. Despite high fuel prices and the cost of the merger and emerging from the bankruptcy, the stock continues to draw followers. The J.P. Morgan price target for the stock is slightly lowered to $55.50. The Thomson First Call target is $52.78. The stock closed Thursday at $38.85.

Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) was named the 2014 Airline of the Year by Air Transport World magazine and was named to Fortune magazine’s 50 Most Admired Companies, in addition to being named the most admired airline for the third time in four years. The company posted solid earnings last week, and the rest of the year could even prove to better, especially if jet fuel prices subside. Investors are paid a tiny 0.6% dividend. J.P. Morgan keeps their price target at $54.50. The consensus target for the airline is $50.28. Shares ended Thursday at $37.46.

JetBlue Airways Corp. (NASDAQ: JBLU) may be a touch richer than the others, but it also may have big upside. The company has a very high short interest percentage at almost 21% of the free float. JetBlue is also adding high dollar premium seating to long-haul flights, including New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco routes. Importantly, the stock trades at a low 0.6 price-to-earnings growth number, implying good corporate growth ahead. The analysts see a new CEO on the horizon, and the company has instituted luggage fees. The J.P. Morgan price target takes a huge 35% jump from $10 to $13.50. The consensus target is $11.98. JetBlue closed Thursday at $10.72.

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United Continental Holdings Inc. (NYSE: UAL) has been a show-me story for many investors as the merger with Continental has not been smooth, and customers have experienced numerous computer glitches that have snarled traffic over the past two years. With some of the problems starting to recede, the company does have earnings growth prospects that could outshine some of their major competition. Increased Asian traffic could be the wildcard for the stock. The J.P. Morgan price target takes a huge leap, almost 40% leap, from $43.50 to $60.50. The consensus target is $52.84. Shares closed Thursday at $46.39.