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High gas prices, airfares test limits of summer vacation spending

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High gas prices, airfares test limits of summer vacation spending

Travelers walk through the terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on May 1, 2026.

Leslie Josephs | CNBC

Higher fuel prices are testing how badly consumers want to travel this summer, whether flying or driving.

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Airfare hasn’t been this high since May 2022, when airlines stumbled out of the pandemic with aircraft and employee shortages to face hordes of consumers ready for “revenge travel.” Gasoline is above $4 a gallon and could go higher, AAA warned this week.

Jet fuel prices doubled in the span of less than three months this year after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, kicking off a conflict that has left a key shipping channel effectively closed.

Domestic round-trip airfares in April averaged $623, the highest in nearly four years, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation, which tracks travel agency ticket sales. Jet fuel is the second-biggest expense for airlines after labor, and carriers say they are increasingly passing those costs along to customers.

Separately, airlines are also trimming their growth plans because of higher fuel costs. Even if a route isn’t cut, fewer flights on certain routes means that customers will have fewer seats to choose from and, with demand robust, that could drive up prices even more.

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Spirit Airlines, the most famous budget carrier in the U.S., shut down earlier this month, and partially blamed jet fuel prices for its failure to emerge from near back-to-back bankruptcies. It was the biggest U.S. airline collapse in decades. Other airlines swooped in to snatch up those customers in the aftermath, but the carrier’s demise removes a main purveyor of low fares.

Read more about jet fuel’s impact on travel

The fuel spikes have set the stage for higher fares and more expensive gas station visits this summer. The start of the peak travel season Memorial Day weekend will be a taste of how much travelers will shell out to fly while everything from groceries to clothing has become more expensive this year.

The Transportation Security Administration said it expects to screen 18.3 million people between Thursday and next Wednesday, compared with the 18.5 million it saw over a similar period last year.

Lackluster road trip growth

Road trips won’t be a bargain either. AAA this week forecast 39.1 million people will drive at least 50 miles between Thursday and Monday, up just 0.1% compared with last Memorial Day weekend. That was the least growth in a decade, AAA told CNBC.

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Gasoline price site GasBuddy forecast this week that prices across the U.S. will average $4.48 on Memorial Day, up from $3.14 last year, and that prices could average $4.80 through Labor Day “if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for a significant portion of the summer.”

A customer fills his vehicle with fuel at a gas station in Miami, April 13, 2026.

Joe Raedle | Getty Images

Still flying

Leisure travel intentions in the U.S. were slightly lower in March — at 82.8% compared with 83.1% the same month a year earlier — though they are still relatively high, UBS said in a note Monday.

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“We believe the year-over-year moderation in travel intentions this year was likely due to higher jet fuel and other geopolitical concerns,” UBS airline analyst Atul Maheswari wrote. He added that the intent to travel is near the highest points in the past nine years.

So far, airline executives said, customers are still booking, and executives are optimistic about the summer travel season. They’ve also said they’re expecting a boost from the FIFA World Cup, which will be held in June and July in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and from major concerts such as Harry Styles’ residencies in Amsterdam and London this summer.

United Airlines said it expects to carry 53 million travelers between June and August, up 3 million people from last year. American Airlines has forecast 75 million customers between May 21 and Sept. 8, after Labor Day, topping its previous record, in 2019.

Refueling trucks at LaGuardia Airport in New York, April 23, 2026.

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Zhang Fengguo | Xinhua News Agency | Getty Images

‘What are you waiting for?’

Airlines have been pruning their schedules and axing unprofitable or less profitable routes but have been eager to fill in the gaps after Spirit’s collapse.

Travelers can still find deals if they’re flexible, said Kyle Potter, who runs the Thrifty Traveler website. He recommended using tools such as the “Explorer” tool in Google Flights that allows users to look up destinations by the length of trip and by month in a map view.

He also suggested flyers consider traveling on a Tuesday or Wednesday, when fares and traffic are often lower.

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“That, in many cases, can save you hundreds of dollars per ticket, and multiply that by a family of four,” he said.

He had a simple message for travelers sitting on piles of frequent flyer miles.

“Now is the time to use your miles or your credit card points or both,” he said, warning that miles can end up devalued. “What are you waiting for? I think a lot of people hoard their miles because they want to go to to Europe in 2027.”

— CNBC’s Contessa Brewer contributed to this report.

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Delivery Hero confirms takeover offer from Uber

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Lululemon’s SWOT analysis: athletic apparel stock faces leadership shift amid mixed results

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Uber and DoorDash hold talks with Delivery Hero over potential buyout

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Lionsgate Studios LION Stock Soars 16% on Strong Q4 Earnings Beat and Film Success

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Lionsgate Studios Corp

SANTA MONICA, Calif.Lionsgate Studios Corp. shares climbed 15.80% to close at $14.95 on May 22, 2026, following the release of stronger-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 financial results and continued momentum from recent theatrical releases.

The company reported revenue of $906.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, compared with $865.6 million in the year-ago period. Non-GAAP net income reached nearly $112 million, or $0.37 per share, more than tripling from the prior-year quarter. Both figures exceeded analyst estimates.

Operating income totaled $117.5 million, up 52% year-over-year. Adjusted OIBDA stood at $165.4 million. The Motion Picture segment generated revenue of $651.9 million and segment profit of $187.1 million, increases of 23% and 39% respectively.

Film Performance Driving Growth

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The theatrical and ancillary performance of “The Housemaid,” which grossed nearly $400 million worldwide, contributed significantly to results. The film also set records on premium video-on-demand and became the top Pay One title ever on STARZ.

Earlier in 2026, the Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” opened to $217 million globally in its first weekend, marking Lionsgate’s biggest opening since the pandemic.

Trailing 12-month library revenue topped $1 billion for the third consecutive quarter, rising 5% year-over-year. More than half of the company’s film, television and live entertainment slates consist of branded, repeatable properties.

CEO Jon Feltheimer stated, “All of the pieces of our business are coming together – our library has achieved a billion dollars in trailing 12-month revenue for three quarters in a row, more than half of our film, television and live entertainment slates are comprised of branded, repeatable properties, and massive hits like The Housemaid and Michael are strengthening our brand and increasing our forward visibility.”

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Analyst Response

Benchmark maintained a Buy rating and raised its price target following the earnings release. Other firms including Baird and Morgan Stanley had issued upward target revisions in recent weeks. Consensus price targets ranged from approximately $12 to $16.

Company Background

Lionsgate Studios operates as a standalone public company following its separation from Lions Gate Entertainment. The studio focuses on motion pictures, television production and library monetization across theatrical, streaming and ancillary channels.

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The stock reached an all-time high during the May 22 session with elevated trading volume. Shares have shown strong year-to-date performance in 2026, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s content pipeline and library value.

Financial Position

Lionsgate reported improvements in free cash flow and adjusted OIBDA. Year-end leverage improved to 6.1 times. The company continues to focus on disciplined capital allocation while investing in its slate of upcoming releases.

Upcoming Slate

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Lionsgate has several tentpole films and television projects in development or production for fiscal 2027. The studio emphasized its strategy of prioritizing branded, franchise-driven content with strong repeat viewing potential.

Industry Context

Lionsgate competes in a dynamic entertainment landscape dominated by major studios and streaming platforms. Its focus on mid-budget films and a valuable library has provided revenue stability amid industry-wide shifts toward streaming and theatrical recovery.

Analysts project earnings growth in coming years tied to successful slate execution and continued library monetization. The company’s performance reflects broader trends in Hollywood where proven intellectual property and efficient production models are increasingly valued.

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Market Reaction

The May 22 stock movement represented a strong positive reaction to the earnings beat and optimism around recent box office results. Trading activity remained active into after-hours with shares around $14.91.

Lionsgate management hosted its fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter earnings conference call on May 21. A replay and transcript were made available afterward. Further details on fiscal 2027 guidance and film slate will be monitored in upcoming updates.

Strategic Focus

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The company has prioritized building a diversified portfolio of content with global appeal. Lionsgate continues to expand its presence in international markets and explore new distribution models across traditional and digital platforms.

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Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ SWOT analysis: stock gains momentum on FDA approval

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Exclusive-Ukraine’s Zelenskiy says proposal of associate EU membership ’unfair’

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Redwire RDW Stock Surges 14% on Strong Q1 Results and Space Defense Contracts

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Redwire Corporation shares rose 13.94% to close at $17.49 on May 22, 2026, on the New York Stock Exchange as investors responded to the company’s first-quarter financial performance and continued contract momentum in space infrastructure and national security programs.

The stock traded in a daily range between $15.12 and $17.60 with above-average volume. In after-hours trading, shares moved slightly higher to around $17.53.

Q1 2026 Financial Results

Redwire reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of $82.4 million, up 28% year-over-year. The growth was driven by increased activity in its space infrastructure and national security segments. Gross profit reached $22.1 million with a gross margin of 26.8%.

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The company posted a net loss of $1.8 million, or $0.03 per share, narrowing from a larger loss in the prior-year period. Adjusted EBITDA improved to $8.7 million. Redwire ended the quarter with $412 million in total backlog, representing a book-to-bill ratio above 1.2.

Key Contract Wins

Redwire secured multiple new contracts in recent months. The company was awarded a follow-on contract from the U.S. Space Force for the Cyber Resilience Orbital Platform program. It also received additional orders under existing agreements for spacecraft components and in-space manufacturing technology.

In April 2026, Redwire announced a partnership expansion with a major defense prime contractor for advanced deployable structures. The company continues to support NASA missions, including contributions to Artemis program hardware and commercial low-Earth orbit platforms.

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Analyst Views

Analysts have maintained positive coverage. Roth MKM reiterated a Buy rating with a $22 price target in mid-May. Benchmark maintained a Buy rating with a $20 target. Consensus price targets cluster around $18 to $24, reflecting expectations for continued growth in defense and commercial space sectors.

Company Background

Redwire Corporation provides space infrastructure, components and services for civil, commercial and national security customers. The company went public in 2022 through a SPAC merger and has expanded through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Its portfolio includes solar arrays, deployable structures, avionics, sensors and in-space manufacturing capabilities.

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Redwire operates facilities across the United States and Europe. The company has supported more than 150 space missions and maintains a growing presence in both government and commercial markets.

Market Position

Redwire operates in a space economy experiencing strong growth driven by increased defense spending, commercial satellite demand and exploration programs. The company competes with larger aerospace firms while focusing on specialized infrastructure and components. U.S. government initiatives, including those from the Space Force and NASA, have created opportunities for specialized providers.

Shares have shown significant volatility in 2026, trading in a 52-week range between approximately $8.50 and $24. The May 22 movement reflected renewed investor interest following quarterly results and contract announcements.

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Strategic Initiatives

Redwire continues to invest in its in-space manufacturing and biotechnology platforms. The company has demonstrated 3D printing capabilities in orbit and is developing pharmaceutical manufacturing processes for microgravity environments. These technologies are positioned for both government and commercial applications.

The company maintains a disciplined approach to capital allocation, focusing on high-margin programs and backlog conversion. Management has highlighted opportunities in responsive space and resilient architectures for national security customers.

Outlook Factors

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Redwire has guided for continued revenue growth in 2026 with expectations for improving profitability. The company’s backlog provides visibility into future quarters. Management has expressed confidence in executing on existing contracts while pursuing new opportunities in both defense and commercial sectors.

Upcoming milestones include potential additional contract awards and progress on current programs. Analysts will monitor gross margin trends, cash flow generation and execution against full-year guidance in subsequent reports.

Broader Industry Context

The space sector has seen increased investment in 2026, particularly in areas related to national security, satellite communications and in-orbit servicing. Redwire’s focus on infrastructure components aligns with these trends. The company benefits from bipartisan support for space programs in Congress and growing commercial interest in low-Earth orbit infrastructure.

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META: Investors' Concerns Are Valid.

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Meta European headquarters

META: Investors' Concerns Are Valid.

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U.S. and Iran report progress on talks ending war, looking to next few days

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AGNC Investment Corp.: Why I Am Not Selling A Single Share (NASDAQ:AGNC)

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REIT symbol. Real Estate Investment Trust, Real Estate Investment Trusts with miniature houses Investment concept. copy space, business background

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I am interested in a lot of technology and AI stocks like Google, Nvidia, AMD, Tesla and Amazon.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of AGNC, NLY either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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