Shares of the big four airlines take off on news of 90-day tariff pause

Delta, American, United, and Southwest all surged following President Trump’s announcement.

4/9/25 1:44PM

Well that was quick. Shares of the big four US airlines all surged by double digits following the news that the White House will slash reciprocal tariffs for 90 days.

Since the announcement dropped at 1:18 p.m. ET, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines shares are all up over 20%, and Southwest Airlines has risen over 16%. For Delta, which is up more than 24% as of 2:40 p.m. ET, it marks the biggest daily stock price jump since July 16, 2008, when it was up 26.6%, according to FactSet.

From the market close yesterday, the four carriers have clawed back more than $13 billion in market cap.

Earlier on Wednesday, Delta’s CEO warned that the US could be headed for a recession thanks to uncertainty around trade policy. The airline, which reported earnings today, pulled its full-year guidance; in January, it had said 2025 was shaping up to be its best fiscal year in a century.

GETTING

HOOKED

Chris Stokel-Walker3h

Claire Yubin Oh

soup season

Shake Shack is launching a French onion soup... burger

The fast-casual chain will be hoping premium upsells can fatten up its profit margins.

Nia Warfield

23h

Paramount Skydance reportedly preparing an Ellison-backed Warner Bros. Discovery takeover bid, sending shares soaring

Paramount Skydance is preparing a majority cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, The Wall Street Journal reported, sending shares of both companies surging. The Journal’s sources say the deal is backed by the Ellison family, led by David Ellison.

WBD shares were up 30% on the report, while Paramount Skydance jumped 8%.

The offer would cover WBD’s entire business — cable networks, movie studios, the whole enchilada. That comes after WBD announced plans last year to split into two divisions: one for streaming and studios, the other for its traditional cable and TV assets. A recent Wells Fargo note gave WBD a price target hike, primarily because the analysts viewed it as a prime takeover candidate.

If the deal goes through, it would bring together HBO, CNN, DC Studios, and Warner Bros.’ film library with Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and MTV, all under one umbrella.

Exclusive | Paramount Skydance Prepares Ellison-Backed Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

If the deal goes through, it would bring together HBO, CNN, DC Studios, and Warner Bros.’ film library with Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and MTV, all under one umbrella.

Max Knoblauch

9/10/25

As tariffs take root, August new vehicle prices climb by the most in more than 2 years

According to data from Cox Automotive, 17 vehicle brands raised prices of their new vehicles by more than 3% in August.

Ford Issues Recalls On Some Of Its Mach-E Mustangs And Aviators

Nia Warfield

9/10/25

Netflix taps Amazon to sell streaming ads in new partnership

Starting this fall, brands will be able to access Netflix’s premium ad slots using Amazon’s buying tech.

Shares of the big four airlines take off on news of 90-day tariff pause

More Business

Paramount Skydance reportedly preparing an Ellison-backed Warner Bros. Discovery takeover bid, sending shares soaring

Exclusive | Paramount Skydance Prepares Ellison-Backed Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

Latest Stories