Could Flight Centre shares still be a buy after hitting another 52-week high?

Shares in the travel company can't stop climbing. Is it too late to buy?

| More on:
Young man smiles while on phone in front of plane.

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

Well, it's another week, and another 52-week high for the Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX FLT) share price. It was only last Thursday that we were discussing what was then a new 52-week high for Flight Centre shares. Back then, this ASX 200 travel stock hit a new high of $22.80.

Today, the investors decided that that wasn't good enough. Flight Centre shares closed on Monday a decent 0.65% higher at $23.36 a share. You might notice that this current level already exceeds last week's new high watermark. But earlier this morning, Flight Centre rose as high as $23.50 a share. That's the latest 52-week high.

It puts the company's 2023 gain so far at an impressive 62.4%:

After this latest chapter in what has been a rare epic 2023 run, many Flight Centre investors might be wondering whether this travel stock is still a buy today.

Are Flight Centre shares still a buy after a new 52-week high?

Luckily for them, there are a few ASX brokers who still reckon this stock has further to run.

As we covered earlier this month, ASX broker Ord Minnet upgraded its outlook on Flight Centre. The broker gave the company a buy rating, alongside a 12-month share price target of $26.75. If realised, that would see Flight Centre shares gain another 14.4% from where they currently stand.

But Ord Minnet isn't the only broker currently eyeing off Flight Centre. Wilsons is another broker that has given the company a buy rating. Wilsons isn't quite as optimistic as Ord Minnet, but still has a 12-month share price target of $26.40 on the travel company.

Both brokers were mightily impressed with Flight Centre's recent earnings guidance upgrade. This saw Flight Centre's management up its underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) estimate for FY2023 from a range of $270 million and $290 million to a range of $295 million and $305 million.

So no doubt this news will be welcomed by shareholders. But we'll just have to wait and see if the next 12 months are as rosy as these brokers are anticipating.

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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 recommended Flight Centre Travel Group. 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 »