Zacks Research Cuts Earnings Estimates for JetBlue Airways

Key Points

• Zacks Research cut JetBlue’s FY2026 EPS forecast to a loss of $2.77 per share from a projected loss of $2.42, below the $2.68-per-share consensus estimate.
• JetBlue’s latest quarter missed expectations, posting a $0.60-per-share loss versus the expected $0.55 loss and revenue of $2.81 billion versus $2.83 billion expected. Revenue was up 21.1% year over year.
• Analyst sentiment remains cautious: MarketBeat reports a consensus “Reduce” rating and an average price target of $4.98, with one Buy, nine Hold, and four Sell ratings.

JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ:JBLU - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Zacks Research decreased their FY2026 earnings per share estimates for JetBlue Airways in a note issued to investors on Monday, November 9th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the transportation company will post earnings per share of ($2.77) for the year, down from their prior forecast of ($2.42). The consensus estimate for JetBlue Airways' current full-year earnings is ($2.68) per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for JetBlue Airways' Q4 2026 earnings at ($0.64) EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at ($0.55) EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at ($0.20) EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at ($0.29) EPS, FY2027 earnings at ($0.96) EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $0.09 EPS and Q3 2028 earnings at $0.09 EPS.

JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ:JBLU - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 26th. The transportation company reported ($0.60) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.55) by ($0.05). The firm had revenue of $2.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.83 billion. JetBlue Airways had a negative return on equity of 56.96% and a negative net margin of 10.01%. JetBlue Airways's revenue for the quarter was up 21.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted ($0.40) earnings per share.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on the stock. Citigroup raised shares of JetBlue Airways from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $5.30 to $4.50 in a research note on Tuesday, October 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of JetBlue Airways from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their target price for the company from $3.00 to $5.50 in a report on Thursday, November 5th. Seaport Research Partners cut shares of JetBlue Airways from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, August 17th. Weiss Ratings reissued a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of JetBlue Airways in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of JetBlue Airways from $3.50 to $4.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, JetBlue Airways currently has a consensus rating of "Reduce" and an average target price of $4.98.

JetBlue Airways Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ JBLU opened at $4.00 on Wednesday. The stock's 50-day moving average is $3.80 and its 200 day moving average is $4.86. JetBlue Airways has a 1-year low of $2.16 and a 1-year high of $6.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.92, a current ratio of 0.63 and a quick ratio of 0.55.

Institutional Trading of JetBlue Airways

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. U S Global Investors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of JetBlue Airways by 8.4% in the 3rd quarter. U S Global Investors Inc. now owns 6,501,298 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $27,500,000 after buying an additional 505,067 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new position in shares of JetBlue Airways during the second quarter worth $20,022,000. Primecap Management Co. CA purchased a new stake in shares of JetBlue Airways during the 2nd quarter valued at $13,549,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of JetBlue Airways during the 2nd quarter valued at $11,336,000. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of JetBlue Airways in the 2nd quarter worth $10,748,000. 83.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at JetBlue Airways

In other JetBlue Airways news, Director Nik Mittal bought 100,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 3rd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $3.24 per share, with a total value of $324,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 238,537 shares in the company, valued at $772,859.88. This trade represents a 72.18% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders sold 6,000 shares of company stock valued at $23,920 in the last quarter. 2.41% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Key JetBlue Airways News

Here are the key news stories impacting JetBlue Airways this week:

• Positive Sentiment: UBS raised its price target from $3.50 to $4.00, which is modestly supportive. However, UBS kept a neutral rating, and the new target is near the stock’s recent trading level.
• Positive Sentiment: JetBlue recently joined a broad airline rally, gaining alongside United and American Airlines. The sector-wide move may provide near-term support, though it does not reflect a JetBlue-specific development. Article: JetBlue Rallies 7% as Airline Stocks Extend Their Run
• Neutral Sentiment: A short-interest report describes a large increase but lists short interest at zero shares, making the data internally inconsistent and unhelpful as a reliable signal of investor positioning.
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research lowered its Q2 2028 EPS estimate to $0.28 from $0.34 and its FY2028 estimate to $0.53 from $0.65. It slightly raised its Q2 2027 estimate, to $0.08 from $0.07, so revisions are mixed but weaker longer-term forecasts may weigh on sentiment.
• Negative Sentiment: A report about rising JetBlue baggage fees highlights customer frustration. While it provides no new financial forecast, negative customer reaction could be a concern if higher fees affect demand or the airline’s reputation. Article about rising JetBlue bag fees

About JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Airways Corporation is a U.S. passenger airline headquartered in Long Island City, New York. Founded in 1998, the company began flying in 2000 and operates scheduled service across the United States and to destinations in the Caribbean, Latin America, Canada and Europe. The airline offers economy and premium travel options, including its Mint business-class service on select routes and additional-legroom seating. JetBlue also provides loyalty rewards through its TrueBlue program and sells vacation packages combining flights with other travel services.

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