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Study explores how fear impacts financial health of airline industry

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A new study reveals how news and external uncertainties, like rising investor fear and geopolitical risks, affect the financial performance of airline companies. By analyzing airline equity returns, researchers found that some shocks have long-term effects while others are short-lived, highlighting the unique challenges facing the aviation industry.

The study published in uses advanced forecasting methods to analyze how external factors influence airline stock performance. It shows how rising investor fear is the most significant and long-lasting uncertainty affecting airline equity returns, while other factors like and geopolitical risks have shorter-term impacts.

Dr. Scott Mahadeo, Senior Lecturer in Macroeconomics at the University of Portsmouth explained, "Airline firms are uniquely vulnerable to external shocks, from geopolitical tensions to climate policy changes. Our study shows that investors' fear has the most enduring negative effect on airline stocks. This is vital for in the industry, especially as it looks to navigate a future shaped by global uncertainties."

Key findings from the study include:

  • Rising investors' fear: The most pronounced impact on airline equity returns, with negative effects lasting up to a year.
  • Geopolitical risk: A short-lived but significant negative effect on stock performance, primarily within the first month.
  • Climate policy uncertainty: Surprisingly, a rise in uncertainty around climate policies positively impacts airline stocks in the short term, possibly reflecting investor confidence in airlines' ability to navigate policy changes.
  • Fuel price : Initially reduces airline equity returns but can turn positive over time as airlines implement risk mitigation strategies.
  • Infectious disease outbreaks: Limited long-term impact on airline equities, with COVID-19 being a notable exception due to its unprecedented scale.

The research emphasizes the importance of diversifying strategies to manage these risks. Accelerating green transitions, for example, could help airlines reduce their exposure to fossil fuel price volatility and climate-related uncertainties.

For young investors and financial planners, the study provides valuable insights into how external shocks shape the 's financial landscape. It encourages future research to explore how news impacts airline stocks during stable versus volatile market conditions.

More information: Nicolás Blampied et al, Airline industry equities under external uncertainty shocks, Economics Letters (2024).

Journal information: Economics Letters

Citation: Study explores how fear impacts financial health of airline industry (2024, December 5) retrieved 25 July 2025 from /news/2024-12-explores-impacts-financial-health-airline.html
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