Cathay Pacific shares jump 5.9% after FY profit beats estimate

Cathay Pacific shares surged 5.9% in early trading on March 11, 2026, following the airline’s announcement of stronger-than-expected fiscal year (FY) 2025 profit guidance. The company projected net income exceeding HK$9.88 billion ($1.3 billion), surpassing the previous year’s figure and analyst estimates of HK$8.4 billion, driven by a robust second-half performance, improved results from associate companies, and a non-recurring gain from an unnamed supplier. Excluding the one-off HK$900 million gain, the results still outperformed expectations, reflecting higher passenger demand, increased cargo volumes, and expanded flight operations during the latter half of the year.

Despite continued losses at budget subsidiary HK Express, Cathay’s overall financial position improved, with net income reaching HK$3.6 billion in the first half of 2025. The airline attributed its optimism to strong travel demand during key periods, including the Christmas and Lunar New Year holidays, traditionally high-traffic seasons for air travel.

The share price increase marked a seven-year intraday high, aligning with improved investor sentiment amid Cathay’s projected return to consecutive annual profit growth for the first time since 2013–2015. Analysts noted that the results underscore the airline’s recovery from pandemic-related challenges, though ongoing operational risks, including fuel costs and competitive pressures, remain factors to monitor.

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. expects its 2025 net income to outpace the previous year's, the company said in a filing Monday, putting it on track to post its first consecutive annual profit growth in a decade.