The Qantas (ASX:QAN) share price is down 4% in a month. Here's why

Australia's national airline is facing ongoing challenges.

| More on:
airline pilot on the phone looking distraught, qantas share price

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

The Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) share price has struggled so far this month.

Shares in Australia's national carrier closed last week's trading at $4.54.

By comparison, Qantas shares opened at $4.73 in mid-July, marking a 4% decline in a month.

Along with challenges in the broader travel industry, shares in the airliner had to battle many headwinds within this period.

Let's take a look at what's been weighing down the Qantas share price.  

Border closures restricting Qantas share price

It's clear the Qantas share price has been plagued by a plethora of fast-moving events during the past 30 days.

Most prominent has been Australia's continued struggle to control the delta variant of COVID-19.

With heavy restrictions on air travel, operators like Qantas have had to drastically reduce their domestic capacity. This led to the company's decision to stand down 2,500 crew.

In addition, the airliner is looking at selling some assets in a bid to reduce its debt.

Qantas recently considered selling nearly 14 hectares of land in South Sydney's industrial precinct, worth a reported $500 million.

With tighter international and domestic border restrictions, the airliner has also launched initiatives to maintain customer loyalty.

This prompted Qantas to recently offer its high-tier frequent flyers the opportunity to retain their status with the airline until June 2022.

Outlook for the Qantas share price

Given the impact of lockdowns and border closures on the travel sector, many investors will be curious about where this will leave the company's share performance.

As a result, this reporting season will be an important bellwether for the airliner.

According to a recent note from Citi, analysts expect the airliner to report a loss of $1.2 billion for the 12 months to June 30.

In addition, the broker noted that investors will also be keeping an eye on extended lockdowns impacting the airline's future profits.

Despite an initial recovery earlier this year, the Qantas share price is currently trading more than 6% lower since the start of 2021.

Qantas is scheduled to release its results on Thursday 26 August.

Motley Fool contributor Nikhil Gangaram 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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Share Fallers

A male investor wearing a blue shirt looks off to the side with a miffed look on his face as the share price declines.
Share Fallers

Why COG, Karoon Energy, Netwealth, and Pilbara Minerals shares are dropping today

These ASX shares are ending the week deep in the red. But why?

Read more »

A woman with a sad face looks to be receiving bad news on her phone as she holds it in her hands and looks down at it.
Share Fallers

Why Evolution Mining, Karoon Energy, ResMed, and Sayona Mining shares are dropping today

These ASX shares are having a tough session. But why?

Read more »

A young woman wearing a blue and white striped t-shirt blows air from her cheeks and looks up and to the side in a sign of disappointment after the ASX shares she owns went down today
Share Fallers

Why Australian Strategic Materials, Boral, Dubber, and Macquarie Technology are falling today

These shares are having a tough hump day. But why?

Read more »

a sad gambler slumps at a casino table with hands on head and a large pile of casino chips in the foreground.
Share Fallers

'Catastrophic' risk: Why Star shares have lost 25% in 4 days

The outcome of this inquiry could determine whether Star Entertainment hits Blackjack or bust.

Read more »

A male investor erupts into a tantrum and holds his laptop above his head as though he is ready to smash it, as paper flies around him, as he expresses annoyance over so many new 52-week lows in the ASX 200 today
Share Fallers

Why Domino's, Macmahon, Star, and Zip shares are sinking today

These ASX shares are falling more than most today.

Read more »

A young woman holds an open book over her head with a round mouthed expression as if to say oops as she looks at her computer screen in a home office setting with a plant on the desk and shelves of books in the background.
Share Fallers

Why Avita Medical, NextDC, Predictive Discovery, and Star shares are tumbling today

These shares are starting the week in the red.

Read more »

A male investor wearing a blue shirt looks off to the side with a miffed look on his face as the share price declines.
Share Fallers

Why Avita Medical, Cettire, Domino's Pizza, and Star shares are falling today

These ASX shares are having a tough end to the week. But why?

Read more »

Three guys in shirts and ties give the thumbs down.
Share Fallers

Why Avita Medical, Netwealth, Peninsula Energy, and Zip shares are sinking today

These ASX shares are having a tough session. But why?

Read more »