AerCap Holdings NV's stock surged 5.37% in pre-market trading on Wednesday, following the release of its first-quarter 2026 financial results that significantly exceeded analyst expectations.
The aviation lessor reported adjusted earnings per share of $5.39, beating the FactSet consensus estimate of $3.72 by a substantial margin. Revenue for the quarter reached $2.24 billion, also surpassing the expected $2.07 billion and representing an 8% year-over-year increase. The company's net income rose 27% to $818 million.
Adding to the positive momentum, AerCap's management raised its full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to approximately $14.50, up from the previous range of $12 to $13. Furthermore, the board approved a new $1 billion share repurchase program, effective through the end of 2026. The strong performance was attributed to robust demand for aviation assets, ongoing supply constraints, and a high lease extension rate of 87%.