Lufthansa warns on fuel costs. Lufthansa stock sits 25.56 percent below its high
Published on 10/02/2026 at 13:21 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Deutsche Lufthansa stock sat 25.56 percent below its EUR 10.29 52-week high at EUR 7.66 on October 2, 2026, while fuel costs became the latest pressure point. As Flightnews24 reported on October 1, 2026, Chief Executive Carsten Spohr said Lufthansa's additional 2026 fuel expense will exceed the EUR 1.50 billion burden previously forecast.
Fuel costs challenge the outlook
The report said Lufthansa still expects total 2026 fuel costs of EUR 8.66 billion, compared with an earlier forecast of EUR 8.90 billion. Management maintained its adjusted operating profit outlook at EUR 1.70 billion to EUR 2.20 billion, compared with EUR 1.96 billion in 2025.
The cost warning matters because fuel pressure arrives alongside a weaker operating base. Lufthansa has hedged 86.00 percent of its expected 2026 fuel requirements, according to the same October 1 report, limiting but not eliminating exposure to higher prices.
Second-quarter profit fell sharply
On August 4, 2026, Lufthansa Group reported second-quarter revenue of EUR 11.10 billion, an 8.00 percent year-over-year increase, and adjusted EBIT of EUR 383.00 million. The result was down from EUR 870.00 million in the second quarter of 2025, while the adjusted operating margin declined to 3.40 percent from 8.40 percent.
The contrast is clear: revenue continued to grow, but profitability absorbed higher fuel expenses and strike-related costs. That leaves the full-year guidance range as the key test for whether stronger demand can offset the airline's cost base.
Analyst target remains above price
Bernstein Research kept Lufthansa at Market-Perform with a EUR 9.00 price target in its September 24, 2026 note, according to finanzen.ch. The price target lies 17.49 percent above the Lang & Schwarz price, but the analyst cited fuel costs as the industry's central problem.
The next earnings release is scheduled for November 3, 2026, according to Marketscreener. That report will show whether the EUR 1.70 billion to EUR 2.20 billion adjusted EBIT range remains credible after the latest fuel-cost warning.
Stock remains below its yearly high
Lufthansa stock was trading at EUR 7.66 at Lang & Schwarz on October 2, 2026 at 1:10 p.m. CEST, plus 0.39 percent versus the EUR 7.63 prior close at Lang & Schwarz on October 1, 2026. The 52-week range was EUR 6.72 to EUR 10.29 as of October 2, 2026.
The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of Lufthansa stock.
Lufthansa stock facts
- Company: Deutsche Lufthansa AG
- ISIN: DE0008232125
- WKN: 823212
- Ticker: LHA.DE
- Primary exchange: Xetra
- Price Lang & Schwarz as of October 2, 2026, 1:10 p.m. CEST: EUR 7.66
- Change versus prior close: plus 0.39 percent
- Prior close Lang & Schwarz October 1, 2026: EUR 7.63
- Market capitalization: EUR 9.2 billion (as of October 2, 2026)
- 52-week range: EUR 6.72-EUR 10.29 (as of October 2, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Industrials / Airlines
- Next earnings date: November 3, 2026
