Is the Flight Centre share price on a runway to growth in FY23?

Is Flight Centre preparing for take-off in FY23?

| More on:
An aeroplane at an airport taxiing down the runway symbolising the improving Flight Centre share price

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

Key points

  • Flight Centre shares have struggled to break their trend, moving in a sideways channel of late
  • A couple of analysts are predicting a slight price upswing for the share in FY23, as the travel industry recovers from COVID-19 and combats other macroenvironmental factors
  • In the past 12 months, the Flight Centre share price is up almost 17%

Shares in Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) continued to wobble throughout FY22.

After hitting a 52-week low of $13.67 following the COVID-19 outbreak in Australia, the ASX travel share rebounded strongly.

In fact, its shares rocketed to a post-COVID high of $25.28 on 5 October.

However, this was short-lived as Flight Centre shares erased their strong gains to trade sideways for the remainder of FY22.

Nonetheless, we take a look at what some industry experts think the Flight Centre share price will do in FY23.

What's in store for Flight Centre shares?

Turning to FY23, Goldman Sachs analysts believe the medium-term view will be largely unchanged for the Flight Centre share price.

The team acknowledged Flight Centre's positive trading update in which the company reported "very strong activity levels in March 2022".

However, external factors impacting the current economic climate, such as extreme inflationary movements, could hit the company's earnings.

Higher airfares would likely drive potential holidaymakers away as the cost of living soars.

Furthermore, the emergence of new COVID-19 strains, increased competition in the corporate segment, and geopolitical tensions may disrupt operations and thus, potential revenue.

Goldman Sachs expects Flight Centre to report total EBITDA of $434.9 million, up 0.3% from previous forecasts.

As such, the broker maintained a neutral rating with a 12-month price target of $20.40 per share.

Based on Monday's closing price of $17.37, this implies an upside of around 17.5% for investors.

The broker Macquarie has a similar view on Flight Centre shares. Its analysts raised their price target by 16% to $21.95 apiece.

Key upside risks include a faster-than-expected recovery as well as significant market-share gains in the online channel and travel bubble routes.

In the past 12 months, the Flight Centre share price has risen 16.9%, but is down 1.4% year-to-date.

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Travel Shares

airline crew stands on tarmac under aircraft
Travel Shares

Qantas shares lower on $120m profit hit

The airline operator is being made to pay for decisions it took during the pandemic.

Read more »

Man waiting for his flight and looking at his phone.
Travel Shares

One ASX 200 stock down 50% since July this fund just bought

The fund managers saw value in the ASX 200 stock following a 50% share price plunge.

Read more »

A smiling boy holds a toy plane aloft while a girl watches on from a car near an airport runway.
Travel Shares

Would Warren Buffett buy Qantas shares in December 2024?

Is this airline stock an appealing investment today?

Read more »

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

Buying Qantas shares? You'll need to know this

Qantas shares have been soaring higher in 2024.

Read more »

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

Qantas share price hits turbulence as engineers down tools

Qantas’ engineers are displeased with the results of pay negotiations.

Read more »

A woman ponders a question as she puts money into a piggy bank with a model plane and suitcase nearby.
Travel Shares

Will the Qantas share price take off again in 2025?

The Flying Kangaroo has smashed the market this year. Could it do the same in 2025?

Read more »

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

Why the soaring Qantas share price could be 'difficult to sustain'

The Qantas share price has been a stellar performer in 2024, up 68.7% since 2 January.

Read more »

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

Why the Qantas share price can keep flying to new highs

Qantas shares' new record highs are forecast to be broken in 2025 by this top broker.

Read more »