Before the opening bell, the low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) declared its second quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 15 cents per share, which trailed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 21 cents and year-ago earnings of 29 cents. The second quarter results include the financial results of AirTran, following its acquisition on May 2, 2011.
Adjusted earnings in the second quarter excluded approximately $40 million or 6 cents per share (net of taxes) special item, primarily related to financial advisory fees and severance payments for the acquisition and integration of AirTran. Including the special item, earnings per share increased to 21 cents from 15 cents in the year-ago period.
Total operating revenue jumped 30.6% year over year to a record $4.14 billion, which was at par with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. On a year-over-year basis, Passenger, Freight and Other revenues climbed 28.5%, 9.1% and 88.2%, respectively, on record high load factors coupled with strong passenger revenue yields. Solid growth in Other revenue can be attributable to higher EarlyBird Check-In revenues.
Airline traffic, measured in revenue passenger miles, upped 28.1% year over year while capacity or available seat miles increased 23.5%. Load factor (percentage of seats filled with passengers) rose 300 basis points year over year to 82.3%.
Total operating expenses, including special items, increased 16% year over year on a 26.4% year over year rise in fuel and oil expense. Excluding the special item, operating expenses increased 40.1%. Consolidated unit cost or cost per available seat mile (CASM), excluding fuel and special items, inched up 1.4% year over year. CASM, including fuel, leaped 13.5% from the year-ago quarter.
Operating income in the second quarter was $207 million compared with $363 million in the year-ago quarter. Excluding the special item, operating income declined 33.3% year over year to $276 million compared with $414 million in the year-ago quarter.
Liquidity
Southwest Airlines ended the quarter with cash and short-term investments of $4.4 billion. The company generated $237 million of cash from operations compared with $540 million in the year-ago quarter. Capital expenditures were $215 million versus $159 million in the year-ago quarter.
Guidance
Southwest Airlines expects third-quarter 2011 unit costs, excluding fuel and special items, to exceed third quarter 2010. Fuel costs, including fuel taxes are expected at approximately $3.30 per gallon.
For 2011, the company expects 2011 combined available seat miles (Southwest and AirTran) to grow in the range of 4% to 5%. Free cash flow is estimated at $900 million.
Southwest Airlines expects total acquisition and integration costs of approximately $500 million in 2011. The acquisition of AirTran will likely be accretive to its fully diluted earnings per share in 2011 and net annual pre-tax synergies cloud exceed $400 million by 2013.
For 2012, the company expects available seat miles capacity to be less than or equivalent to 2011.
Our Analysis
Despite the steeply rising fuel prices, Southwest Airlines reported strong results in the second quarter. The company continues to benefit from its AirTran acquisition, marking a milestone achievement that expanded its presence in key markets. Integration of both carriers has provided more opportunities to drive combined synergies in terms of revenues and profit as well as to streamline the cost structure.
Further, the company remains focused on yielding benefits from the launch of programs like All-New Rapid Reward and introducing services to new markets that were untapped. However, discounts on ticket prices, labor costs concerns, fuel price volatility and stiff competition from giant carriers like Delta Air Lines (DAL), United Continental Holdings (UAL), and US Airways Group (LCC) keep us on the sidelines.
Consequently, we maintain our long-term Neutral recommendation on Southwest Airlines, supported by our Zacks #3 Rank (Hold).
DELTA AIR LINES (DAL): Free Stock Analysis Report
US AIRWAYS GRP (LCC): Free Stock Analysis Report
SOUTHWEST AIR (LUV): Free Stock Analysis Report
UNITED CONT HLD (UAL): Free Stock Analysis Report
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