Southwest Airlines (LUV) is the largest airline in the United States, based on domestic passengers carried. Southwest Airlines operates more than 3,100 flights a day, as of December 31, 2010, utilizing a fleet of 548 Boeing 737 aircraft. Southwest Airlines currently serves 71 cities in 36 states. It also provides freight services with in the United States, and the company competes with American Airlines (AMR), Delta Airlines (DAL), and U.S. Airways (LCC). In September 2010, Southwest announced plans to acquire AirTran Airways (AAI), which is expected to close in Q2 2011.

Launch of Coverage on Southwest Airlines; $14.05 Price Estimate

We've broken down our analysis of Southwest Airlines into two main business segments:

Continue reading Coverage Launch: $14 Trefis Price Estimate for Southwest Airlines (LUV)

Coverage Launch: $14 Trefis Price Estimate for Southwest Airlines (LUV) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fortune has released its list of the world's 50 most respected companies and once again Apple Inc. (AAPL) tops the list.

This is the fourth year in a row that the Cupertino based company has grabbed the top slot. Apple's respect comes mainly due to the company's ability to release new products at an amazingly quick pace, often updating its main product lines at least once a year.

Continue reading Apple Still Fortune's Most Respected Company

Apple Still Fortune's Most Respected Company originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Southwest Airline Co. (LUV) overall option implied volatility of 32 is below its 26-week average of 34 into Q2 earnings per share (EPS) on January 20, suggesting slightly less price movement.

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) overall option implied volatility of 23 is below its 26-week average of 28 into Q2 EPS on January 27, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Options Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Continue reading Options Update: Southwest Volatility Low

Options Update: Southwest Volatility Low originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The earnings season ramps up this week. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters foresee strong reports from such big names as Apple (AAPL), eBay (EBAY), IBM (IBM), General Electric (GE), Google (GOOG), Schlumberger (SLB) and Southwest Airlines (LUV). And fast on the heels of last week's big earnings beat from JPMorgan Chase (JPM), there will be plenty more results from the financial sector to peruse this week.

Among the financials expected to post double-digit earnings growth this week are Capital One Financial (COF), Morgan Stanley (MS), SLM Corp. (SLM) and U.S. Bancorp (USB), but the week's biggest earnings winner may be Wells Fargo (WFC).

Continue reading Week in Preview: Banks in the Earnings Spotlight

Week in Preview: Banks in the Earnings Spotlight originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The earnings crunch is back on this week. Third quarter reports are due from tech, financial and pharmaceutical companies, from airlines and from many others. Here's a day-by-day rundown of the coming week's earnings highlights, with a closer look at Apple (AAPL), Harley-Davidson (HOG), Boeing (BA) and Southwest Airlines (LUV).

Getting things started on Monday, analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect Citigroup (C), Halliburton (HAL) and IBM (IBM) to post year-over-year earnings growth. But Monday's highlight no doubt will be Apple's (AAPL) quarterly results.

Continue reading Week in Preview: Return of the Earnings Crunch (AAPL, BA, HOG, LUV)

Week in Preview: Return of the Earnings Crunch (AAPL, BA, HOG, LUV) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• KeyBanc upgraded Las Vegas Sands (LVS) to hold from underweight based on Singapore performance and a potential revaluation of the yuan.
• ThinkEquity upgraded Seattle Genetics (SGEN) to buy from hold based on the positive SGN-35 HL data. The firm raised its price target to $16 from $12.
• Merriman upgraded Applied Signal (APSG) to buy from neutral with a $28 to $31 valuation range, citing greater confidence in earnings estimates and the company's recent contract wins.
• Siliconware Precision (SPIL) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at Macquarie.
• Pulte Group (PHM) was upgraded to neutral from sell at Goldman.
• Greenbrier (GBX) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Morgan Keegan.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AAI, APSG, D, GBX, HSP, LVS, SGEN, SI, SON, TGT, TXT ...

Analyst Calls: AAI, APSG, D, GBX, HSP, LVS, SGEN, SI, SON, TGT, TXT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The earnings crunch rolls on this coming week, and the analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are looking for strong quarterly results from the likes of Avon (AVP), Coinstar (CSTR), Corning (GLW), DuPont (DD), MetLife (MET), Norfolk Southern (NSC), Northrop Grumman (NOC), Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A) and many others. In fact, Broadcom (BRCM), Chevron (CVX) and Southwest Airlines (LUV) are expected to have doubled their second-quarter earnings per share compared to a year ago.

The three months that ended in June saw Southwest Airlines celebrate the 39th anniversary of its founding, and it also declared a quarterly dividend. Analysts expect the Dallas-based no-frills carrier to report that second-quarter earnings came to 27 cents a share, a 70.4% rise from a year earlier. Revenue for the period is expected to have grown 20.4% to $3.2 billion. So far, analysts predict similar earnings and revenue numbers for the third quarter. But earnings results were better than expected in the past four quarters, beating consensus estimates by as much as 47%.

Continue reading The Week in Preview: High Expectations for Southwest, Chevron, Broadcom

The Week in Preview: High Expectations for Southwest, Chevron, Broadcom originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 25 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Spirit Airlines Adds Carry-on Fee -- Nudist's Delight?

Spirit Airlines Adds Carry-on Fee -- Nudist's Delight? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The silver lining to the travel slump last year was that fewer flights made it easier for airlines to hit their deadlines. In 2009, the airline sector had its best year for on-time arrivals since 2003, largely because many routes were cut as passenger traffic fell and companies looked for ways to cut costs. According to the Department of Transportation, airlines hit a 79.5% on-time rate last year (which includes flights that were within 15 minutes of their arrival time).

Hawaiian Airlines had the best record, but it's a small regional, lacking the challenges of the major carriers. Among the big guys, Southwest's (LUV) 83% on-time rate was best, and United's (UAUA) 81% was tops for traditional air carriers. Of course, these airlines and the rest of the sector were helped along by the fact that they pad their schedule, which makes it a hell of a lot easier to show up on time.

Continue reading United Airlines Buys On-Time Success

United Airlines Buys On-Time Success originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 14 Feb 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Southwest Airlines (LUV) lifted by November traffic data

Southwest Airlines (LUV) lifted by November traffic data originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For years, it's been evident that smaller airlines have had an operating advantage, particularly when they use less expensive airports. They've been able to post better numbers as a result, and in the current travel slump, they've outperformed the larger carriers. Well, they've also picked up a considerable amount of market share.

According to a report by USA Today, low cost carriers now have 30% of the market in the United States. Price-sensitive consumers are turning to cheaper alternatives, even if it means (for fliers with elite status) giving up the perks they've earned through years of customer loyalty.

Continue reading Low cost carriers own 30% of domestic airline biz, growing fast

Low cost carriers own 30% of domestic airline biz, growing fast originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA), US Airways (NYSE: LCC) and American Airlines (NYSE: AMR), according to an influential analyst, have run out of options. Jamie Baker of JPMorgan said in a July 20, 2009 report that these companies couldn't do anything to prevent a cash crisis. They only savior available to them would have to be an outside investor. To call the position grim would be optimistic. Unfortunately, it couldn't have come at a worse time.

As Baker was walking the bear into the airline industry, United was starting to celebrate its change in direction. The carrier has improved its on-time rate, according to a USA Today report, and its operations are coming around. Despite the fact that the airline industry has been brutalized by the global recession, the airline has made some progress. Through August, the company's share price doubled, and its ascent has continued in September. So, the company is locked in an ongoing struggle to manage its identity, cope with its past and shape how the world sees it today.

The operational "makeover" has resulted in a reduction of its fleet from 601 jets in 2000 to 386 as of the summer of 2009. In terms of passenger traffic, it's in the #4 spot in the United States - trailing Delta (NYSE: DAL), Southwest (NYSE: LUV) and American. With Q2 revenues off 25.2% year-over-year, however, drastic measures are still necessary.

Continue reading United's battle over its identity

United's battle over its identity originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

August brought more misery to the airline industry in the United States. Seven of the country's nine largest carriers saw traffic drop, with only Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) and JetBlue Airways Corp (NASDAQ: JBLU) bucking the trend. The continued upward climb of unemployment, tighter corporate budgets and sluggish demand for leisure travel has resulted in fewer passengers in seats.

JetBue was the only carrier not to report a drop in available seat miles (ASMs), the primary measure of airline productivity. Load factors, however, which indicate how full a plane is, tended to be higher, largely a result of flights that have been cut in an effort to reduce costs.

Continue reading August a sluggish month for U.S. airlines

August a sluggish month for U.S. airlines originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Late Thursday, Moody's Investors Service announced that it might downgrade its credit ratings for Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV). In a statement, the ratings agency said the airline's Baa1 senior unsecured rating is at risk, due to the likelihood of weak demand trends persisting into 2010.

The downgrade warning comes shortly after LUV slashed airfares dramatically to remain competitive, with some one-way flights running as low as $30 during a recent promotion. "Even with the benefits of Southwest's advantageous cost structure, the current yield environment is likely to challenge Southwest to restore credit metrics to levels supportive of the current rating," said Moody's in a statement.

In addition to the fundamental concerns cited by Moody's, LUV is also facing some challenges on the charts. The stock has shed 52.8% during the past 52 weeks, and long-term resistance from its 10-month moving average looms directly overhead. This trendline hasn't been toppled on a monthly closing basis since September 2008.

Continue reading Southwest Airlines warned of possible Moody's downgrade

Southwest Airlines warned of possible Moody's downgrade originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Adtran (NASDAQ: ADTN) to Buy from Hold on expectations the company will benefit from the broadband Stimulus funds.
• Morgan Stanley upgraded Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) to Overweight from Equal Weight based on relative valuation and views the company as a "survivor." Additionally, the analyst lowered 2009 industry estimates but believes it is the last cut for the year and is incrementally more positive on the sector.
• Morgan Stanley also upgraded EXFO Electro-Optical (NASDAQ: EXFO) to Overweight from Market Weight based on valuation.
• Tata Motors (NYSE: TTM) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Ascent Solar (NASDAQ: ASTI) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at JP Morgan.
• Mechel Steel (NYSE: MTL) was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Credit Suisse.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ADTN, CAL, EXFO, JCI, LUV, VAR, CSCO, KMT, EZCH

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ADTN, CAL, EXFO, JCI, LUV, VAR, CSCO, KMT, EZCH originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

After American Airlines parent AMR Corp. (NYSE: AMR) reported surprising first-quarter results today, eyes turn next to rival Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV), which is scheduled to discuss its first-quarter results tomorrow, April 16, in a conference call at 11:30 AM ET with CEO Gary Kelly and CFO Laura Wright. You can catch the live webcast of the call on the company's website.

For the quarter that saw Southwest declare its 130th consecutive quarterly dividend and named by Fortune magazine as one of the most admired companies in the world, analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect the Dallas-based airline to report a loss of $0.01 per share, compared to a profit of $0.06 cents per share in the same period of the previous year. Revenue for the quarter is expected to total $2.4 billion, 5.1% lower than a year ago. Southwest's earnings have beat estimates in the past five quarters, by as much as a nickel a share.

Continue reading Earnings preview: Southwest Airlines to report Q1 in the red?

Earnings preview: Southwest Airlines to report Q1 in the red? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Southwest Airlines (LUV) reaches tentative contract with union

Southwest Airlines (LUV) reaches tentative contract with union originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Southwest heads northeast to Boston

Southwest heads northeast to Boston originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) is scheduled to discuss fourth-quarter 2008 results this morning in a conference call at 11:30 AM Eastern. The call will be hosted by Gary Kelly, chairman of the board, president, and chief executive officer, and Laura Wright, senior vice president, finance, and chief financial officer. To listen in to the webcast, see Q4 2008 Southwest Airlines Financial Results Conference Call.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect Southwest to report a fourth-quarter profit of $0.05 per share, compared to $0.12 per share in the year-ago period. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be 6.4% higher than a year ago to $2.7 billion. Southwest earnings have topped estimates in the past five quarters, by as much as 5 cents per share.

For the full year, analysts expect a $0.37 per share profit (-39.3%) and revenue of $11.0 billion (+11.0%).

The consensus long-term EPS growth forecast is 10.0%. The share price is 30.6% lower than it was a year ago.

See BloggingStocks' Southwest Airlines coverage for more information about the Dallas-based company.

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Before the call: Southwest Airlines expected to post lower Q4 earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a feature on companies and products that our bloggers think are in need of a makeover. See all 26.

This summer I had the misfortune of flying AMR Corp.'s (NYSE: AMR) American Airlines. In my experience, it ranks near the top in its expression of contempt for its customers. As I wrote in my book Value Leadership, it is almost the opposite of Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), which has tarnished its flawless image with its first quarterly loss in 17 years due to a $247 million charge resulting from a jet fuel hedge gone sour. But to give American Airlines a makeover, it would be wise to borrow selectively from what makes Southwest so great.

In August, I was scheduled on a 1:50 pm flight from Boston to Miami -- trying to get a connecting flight to Chile on its excellent airline, LAN Air. American Airlines said the flight would be delayed for 15 minutes because of a mechanical problem that caused the air-conditioning in the back of the plane not to work. Half the plane got out, and an hour later American Airlines announced an indefinite delay.

A big line formed at our gate to rebook. Next to our gate was an empty one with two American employees who were working on their computers. I waited patiently until one of them finished her work and asked if she could help me. She stared at me and said no, she could only help people on the flight scheduled for that gate, and went back to her computer. No thanks to her I ended up booking a flight that left at 6 pm, causing me to miss my connection to Chile.

Continue reading Makeover needed: American Airlines

Makeover needed: American Airlines originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 25 Oct 2008 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.