IAG shares — or to offer it its full identify, Worldwide Consolidated Airways Group (LSE: IAG) — have been nonetheless struggling to shake off the their very own model of lengthy Covid at first of 2024.

The pandemic was a catastrophe for airways. IAG solely made it via by loading up on debt. For a second, the British Airways proprietor was on the sting.

Clearly, it survived. And when individuals began flying once more, traders had a superb alternative to purchase its shares on a budget – that I squandered.

And I continued to squander the chance all through 2024. It was a superb yr for the IAG share price, which rocketed 98.6%. That made it the most effective performer on the complete FTSE 100 (a squeak forward of Rolls-Royce).

Can this FTSE winner smash the index once more?

If a courageous investor had gambled a whole yr’s £20,000 Shares and Shares ISA contribution restrict on IAG at first of final yr, they’d have £39,720 right this moment.

Actually, they’d have barely extra. The board resumed dividends final yr, and the trailing yield is 0.85%. So that they’d have gotten one other £170 or so on prime, pushing my legendary investor’s complete holding in the direction of £40,000.

I’m torturing myself right here. I didn’t put a single penny into IAG. The query is whether or not it’s too late to reverse that mistake.

Final yr noticed a resurgence in transatlantic journey, which boosted British Airways and helped offset European flight delays. BA’s margins hit 20%, regardless of a 14% rise in labour prices. Falling gasoline costs helped.

Buyers can count on extra revenue in 2025, with the yield forecast to hit 2.96%. The board can be pursuing a €350m share buyback.

IAG nonetheless has loads of work to do. It plans to speculate £7bn to improve its cabins and in-flight companies, which have are available for a lot criticism. British Airways additionally must work on its punctuality. Visitors management points received’t assist, and it could’t do a lot about them.

I’m nonetheless cautious of shopping for this inventory

IAG can’t do a lot concerning the oil price both, which as ever may go both manner. It’s additionally struggling to extend fares, a difficulty dogging different airways together with Ryanair. Aer Lingus, which IAG additionally owns, has struggled amid a pilot strike and elevated competitors at Dublin Airport.

The group nonetheless owes round €6bn, which wants working down. I used to be happy to see the board again out of a deal to purchase a stake in Air Europa, Spain’s third-largest airline. I’d moderately it decreased debt and returned money to shareholders.

So ought to I purchase IAG right this moment? The shares do nonetheless look ridiculously low-cost to me, buying and selling at simply 7.21 occasions trailing earnings. 

But I don’t assume we will count on a repeat of 2024’s stellar run. The 25 analysts providing one-year share price forecasts appear to agree with me. They’ve produced a median goal of 326p. If right, that’s a modest improve of simply 9% from right this moment (though forecasts are little greater than educated guesses).

I really feel like an airline passenger who’s turned up on the gate simply after it’s closed. I’ve missed my flight and sure, I’m kicking myself. So it goes. As a substitute of shopping for final yr’s large winner, I’ll search for a inventory that’s ripe for a restoration in 2025. Fortunately, I can see loads of sensible alternatives on the FTSE 100 right this moment.