Updated: Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025 (post-close / extended-hours)
American Airlines Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL) finished Christmas Eve’s shortened trading session modestly higher, with little movement in extended hours as investors largely stayed on the sidelines during one of the quietest trading windows of the year. The bigger question for shareholders now isn’t “what happened after the bell,” but what could move AAL next—especially with U.S. markets closed on Christmas Day and reopening on Friday, Dec. 26. [1]
AAL stock: the after-the-bell snapshot (Dec. 24, 2025)
In the holiday-shortened session, AAL closed at $15.68, up about 0.5%, after trading in a relatively tight intraday range. Extended-hours trading was essentially flat around the close, consistent with low liquidity into the holiday. [2]
Here are the key numbers investors were watching after the bell:
- Close (early close):$15.68 (+0.51%) [3]
- Day range:$15.49 – $15.74 [4]
- Volume: about 15.8M shares (lighter than normal, typical for a holiday-shortened session) [5]
- After-hours: around $15.68 (no meaningful change) [6]
For context, AAL was coming off a volatile prior session: on Tuesday, Dec. 23, the stock closed at $15.60 after a sharp move and heavy volume relative to Dec. 24. [7]
Why American Airlines stock moved today (and why it didn’t move much)
1) Christmas Eve trading was shortened—and that tends to mute big moves
Both the NYSE and Nasdaq closed early at 1:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 24, and markets are closed on Dec. 25. That means fewer institutional participants, lighter volume, and often “drift” trading rather than conviction positioning. [8]
2) Airline peers also posted modest gains
Airline stocks generally leaned positive today. In a MarketWatch recap focused on United’s outperformance, American (AAL) was also cited as posting a modest gain alongside Delta. [9]
3) The broader market was steady-to-higher
The tone of the market matters for cyclical names like airlines. U.S. benchmarks finished the shortened session higher, supporting a mild risk-on backdrop even without major company-specific catalysts. [10]
Bottom line: today looked more like stabilization than a new trend for AAL—an incremental bounce in a low-news, low-liquidity window.
The most important “today” developments tied to AAL
There weren’t major, verified “earnings-style” headlines from American Airlines on Dec. 24. But a few market-relevant items from today still matter:
New February 2026 options began trading
Nasdaq highlighted that February 2026 options started trading for a group of stocks including American Airlines (AAL). New expirations can increase hedging activity and sometimes affect short-term positioning—especially around holiday-thin liquidity. [11]
Today’s session was part of a holiday market schedule that investors can’t ignore
Several outlets reiterated that Christmas Eve was an early close and Christmas Day is a full market closure, with trading resuming Friday, Dec. 26. [12]
What to know before the market “opens tomorrow” (important schedule note)
Because today is Dec. 24, 2025, “tomorrow” is Thursday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day)—and U.S. stock markets will be closed. Trading resumes on Friday, Dec. 26. [13]
Two additional calendar details matter more than usual this year:
1) Markets reopen Dec. 26 even though federal agencies are closed
A recent Reuters report noted that major U.S. exchanges planned to follow their normal schedules (early close on the 24th; open on the 26th) even after a federal closure directive. [14]
2) SEC EDGAR is closed Dec. 24–26 (unusual, and relevant for news flow)
The SEC announced its EDGAR filing system is closed on Dec. 24, 25, and 26, resuming on Monday, Dec. 29. That means no SEC filings will be accepted during the window—even though markets reopen Friday. Investors should understand this can delay certain regulatory filings and concentrate filings when EDGAR reopens. [15]
Analyst forecasts: where Wall Street stands on AAL heading into 2026
Analyst views on American Airlines remain mixed—typical for an airline with high operating leverage and sensitivity to fuel, labor costs, and pricing cycles.
- MarketBeat’s summary shows an average 12‑month price target around $16.46 (with a wide range from $10 to $24). [16]
- StockAnalysis lists a more cautious consensus picture with a “Hold”-leaning stance and an average target around the mid-$15 area (their compilation reflects fewer analysts). [17]
Recent rating actions that still frame sentiment (even if not posted today)
In December, several notes helped shape the narrative around 2026 for U.S. airlines, including:
- A report that Citi initiated coverage with a Buy on American Airlines earlier in December, pointing to a more favorable 2026 industry setup for “supermajor” carriers. [18]
- Nasdaq coverage indicating UBS upgraded AAL (with published commentary and targets varying by compilation source). [19]
How to read the targets: The dispersion between low-end and high-end targets reflects two competing realities:
- Airlines can see rapid earnings power swings when demand holds and capacity is disciplined.
- Airlines can also face fast margin compression when fuel rises, disruptions spike, or price competition returns.
The fundamental story investors should keep in mind going into the next session
Even on a “quiet tape” day like Dec. 24, AAL remains a headline-sensitive name. Here are the key storylines that can reassert themselves quickly when liquidity returns.
1) The next major catalyst is earnings—estimated late January
Multiple market calendars currently peg American Airlines’ next earnings report for Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026 (timing can change; some calendars note it as estimated). [20]
What investors will likely focus on then:
- Unit revenue and pricing momentum
- Cost trajectory (fuel and non-fuel)
- Operational reliability metrics during peak periods
- Any updated 2026 capacity and margin framing
2) Last company guidance still matters: Q4 EPS view from October
In its third-quarter 2025 report, American outlined expectations including Q4 adjusted EPS of $0.45–$0.75 and full‑year adjusted EPS of $0.65–$0.95 (as of that October update). The Jan. 2026 earnings report will effectively be the market’s first chance to see how those expectations landed. [21]
3) Strategic pivot toward premium is a multi-quarter swing factor
Reuters reported last week that American is pushing a premium overhaul—newer aircraft, upgraded cabins, and loyalty enhancements—aiming to close the gap with Delta and United. The same report underscored the challenge: American’s profitability has lagged peers in 2025, and the turnaround is expected to be expensive and gradual. [22]
4) Loyalty program headlines can move perception quickly
One customer-facing change that continues to ripple through media coverage: American has said basic economy tickets purchased on or after Dec. 17, 2025 no longer earn AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points, a shift that aligns with a broader industry trend toward restricting perks on the lowest fares. [23]
This may not drive near-term revenue by itself, but it can influence:
- Brand sentiment
- Mix shift (basic economy vs. main cabin)
- Loyalty engagement metrics over time
5) Operational risk is elevated during holiday peaks (and the industry expects record volume)
The Financial Times cited OAG data forecasting record holiday travel volumes globally (Dec. 15–Jan. 4), while warning that high loads can amplify delays and cancellations—especially with winter weather. For airlines, these operational outcomes can affect costs and customer satisfaction in a visible way. [24]
What to watch specifically before markets reopen on Friday, Dec. 26
Here’s the practical checklist for AAL watchers over the next 24–48 hours:
Holiday schedule and liquidity
- No U.S. stock-market session on Dec. 25
- Expect thin liquidity when markets reopen on Dec. 26; moves can be sharper than usual due to holiday positioning. [25]
Macro drivers that airline stocks react to fast
- Oil and rates: Airlines often trade as a function of fuel expectations and demand outlook. Market briefings today highlighted investors watching oil and yields into year-end. [26]
- Economic calendar: With the holiday, the U.S. data calendar is lighter; MarketWatch’s calendar notes “none scheduled” around the Christmas holiday, with focus returning afterward. [27]
News flow may be “headline-y” rather than filing-driven
- SEC EDGAR is closed through Dec. 26, so don’t expect the usual cadence of SEC filings even though markets are open Friday. [28]
Watch for any operational or regulatory updates
American has faced heightened scrutiny in 2025 on the customer experience and operational side, including a U.S. Department of Transportation order requiring spending on disability-related equipment and systems. Any additional regulatory headlines can change sentiment quickly. [29]
Separately, legal headlines tied to aviation incidents can also affect risk perception; Reuters reported recently on litigation dynamics involving a fatal D.C.-area collision case. [30]
The bottom line for AAL after the bell on Dec. 24
American Airlines stock ended the shortened Christmas Eve session slightly higher and stayed flat after-hours, suggesting investors were not repositioning aggressively into the holiday. [31]
Going into the next trading session (Friday, Dec. 26), the most important “know before you trade” points are:
- Markets are closed Dec. 25 and reopen Dec. 26
- EDGAR is closed Dec. 24–26, potentially delaying SEC-filed updates
- The next major fundamental catalyst is earnings (estimated Jan. 22, 2026)
- Near-term sentiment will still hinge on holiday operational performance, fuel/rates, and any incremental strategy or loyalty headlines
This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice.
References
1. www.nasdaq.com, 2. www.nasdaq.com, 3. www.nasdaq.com, 4. finance.yahoo.com, 5. finance.yahoo.com, 6. www.nasdaq.com, 7. finance.yahoo.com, 8. www.marketwatch.com, 9. www.marketwatch.com, 10. www.marketwatch.com, 11. www.nasdaq.com, 12. www.marketwatch.com, 13. www.marketwatch.com, 14. www.reuters.com, 15. www.sec.gov, 16. www.marketbeat.com, 17. stockanalysis.com, 18. www.investors.com, 19. www.nasdaq.com, 20. finance.yahoo.com, 21. news.aa.com, 22. www.reuters.com, 23. www.cbsnews.com, 24. www.ft.com, 25. www.marketwatch.com, 26. www.investopedia.com, 27. www.marketwatch.com, 28. www.sec.gov, 29. www.transportation.gov, 30. www.reuters.com, 31. www.nasdaq.com
