Why this top broker is bullish on the Qantas (ASX:QAN) share price

Analysts see a long growth runway for Qantas shares.

| More on:
A pilot stands in an empty passenger cabin smiling with his arms crossed looking excited

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) share price is slightly higher this morning, up 0.54% and changing hands at $5.58 in early trade.

Zooming out, Qantas shares have rallied 2.76% in the past month as the broader travel industry gets ready for the impending restart of domestic and international travel penned in for later this year.

What's been fuelling the Qantas share price lately?

Qantas shares popped back in August after the company revealed it is planning to restart international flights from December.

Around that time, some destinations including Singapore, the US, UK, Japan and Canada will be reachable by air for the first time since COVID-19 forced the closure of the Australian international border.

The airline carrier is wagering that Australia will reach its 80% double-vaccination target set by the National Cabinet earlier this year.

According to the Department of Health, 64.4% of all eligible people have now been immunised against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Investors appear bullish on Qantas shares in a "reopening play" that is gaining steam as vaccination numbers creep up.

As this momentum builds, one leading broker has weighed in and presented their outlook for the Qantas share price.

Can Qantas continue its recovery?

Investment banking giant Citibank certainly believes so and likes the timing of the company's capital expenditure cycle and the restarting of long-haul international flight routes.

The broker reckons that Qantas' capital expenditure cycle will eventually peak in FY24, judging by the timing of incoming plane deliveries and the airline's intention to start non-stop flights to the US in 2022.

Curiously, Citi also believes that Qantas may benefit from more favourable pricing from aircraft manufacturers Boeing (NYSE: BE) who are on the quest to regain both market share and credibility after a few horror years.

City says Boeing may tighten its pricing to become more competitive, thereby helping Qantas' operating profit margins.

Not only that, the bank likes Qantas' financial health, and reckons it will only need to make periodic payments to service liabilities on its incoming aircraft, hence avoiding the need to raise more capital and dilute investors' shareholdings.

Given this view, Citi is bullish on Qantas shares and maintains its buy rating and a $5.93 price target. This implies an upside potential of 7.4% on the current share price.

Fellow broker JP Morgan is also bullish on Qantas shares and recently increased its price target by 10 cents to $5.80.

The Qantas share price has managed to claw back some of its 2020 losses and is 13.75% in the green since January 1.

The Qantas share price is up 32.6% over the past 12 months.

Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Travel Shares

Man sitting in a plane looking through a window and working on a laptop.
Travel Shares

What does Macquarie think Web Travel Group shares are worth?

Is the broker bullish or bearish? Let's find out.

Read more »

A woman looks up at a plane flying in the sky with arms outstretched as the Flight Centre share price surges
Earnings Results

Web Travel share price rockets 13% on market leading full-year growth

Investors are sending Web Travel shares soaring today. Here’s why.

Read more »

Man sitting in a plane seat works on his laptop.
Travel Shares

$10,000 invested in Qantas shares 5 years ago is now worth

Let's see what happened if you were brave and bought the Flying Kangaroo's shares in 2020.

Read more »

Woman on a tablet waiting in for her flight in an airport and looking through a window.
Travel Shares

Why have Qantas shares outperformed Flight Centre shares by more than 100% over the past 12 months?

The two share prices are travelling in opposite directions.

Read more »

Man sitting in a plane seat works on his laptop.
Travel Shares

Qantas share price slips amid looming $121 million fine

Qantas continues to face legal issues stemming from the Covid pandemic years.

Read more »

A woman looks up at a plane flying in the sky with arms outstretched as the Flight Centre share price surges
Earnings Results

Up 78% since April, why is the Webjet share price taking off again today?

Webjet shares have soared 78% since 4 April and are lifting off again today. But why?

Read more »

a young woman looks at here phone as she strides out in an airport dragging her wheelie bag behind her and smiling widely.
Travel Shares

Would I buy Qantas shares right now?

This ASX travel share has flown higher. Is it a buy?

Read more »

a woman drawing image on wall of big fish about to eat a small fish
Mergers & Acquisitions

Guess which ASX All Ords stock just received a takeover offer

A private equity firm has its eyes on this stock.

Read more »