British Airways owner gets hefty upgrade but rating unchanged

British Airways owner International Airlines Group (LON:ICAG) is only a hold for Deutsche Bank (ETR:DBKGn), even though earnings forecasts this year have increased substantially after the strong second quarter.

Underlying profits (EBIT) for the full year are now expected to be 17% higher at €3.38bn, up from €2.88bn forecast previously.

Deutsche Bank adds that its numbers are sensitive on the upside to seat yields coming in better than forecast and on the downside from higher fuel costs.

“Each $50/mt increase in the fuel bill takes around €292 million off EBIT, while 1% higher RASK (average revenue per seat yield) adds €265 million.”

For 2024, Deutsche Bank has raised its profit forecast by 12% to €2.3 billion from €2.05 billion.

The target price rises to 200p from 165p but the rating remains ‘hold’.