Alaska Air posts best quarter in "years"

[RedDogC130]

EPS ex-items profit $2.33; Street view $2.26
* Alaska performance driven by fuel cost declines
WASHINGTON, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Alaska Air Group Inc (ALK.N), the parent of low-cost carrier Alaska Airlines, reported what it called its best quarterly results in years on Thursday, with the help of sharply lower fuel prices.
Alaska said net income was $87.6 million, or $2.46 per share, compared with a net loss of $86.5 million, or $2.40 per share in the comparable period last year.
Excluding special items, net income was $83 million, or $2.33 per share, compared with $39.9 million, or $1.10 per share, in 2008.
Analysts on average had expected $2.26 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Chief Executive Bill Ayer, in a statement, called the third quarter results "our best quarterly financial performance in many years."
While operating revenues were off, fuel prices fell from $575 million last year to just under $200 million in the June-September period.

 

[Beantown]

Wow, nice work Alaska.

 

[CesnaCaptn]

I don't get it. ALK beats the street by 7 cents and it's rewarded by getting whacked 5 percent?

 

[Green Banana]

Well, I guess they beat the estimate by analysis, but not the actual expectations on the street. I was actually expecting about 10Mil more.

 

[Mea25000]

the stock should be at about 35 in the next couple of months or so after we are bought.

 

[Singlecoil]

the stock should be at about 35 in the next couple of months or so after we are bought.

...or 8 or so if there is a crash...

 

[CesnaCaptn]

Well, I guess they beat the estimate by analysis, but not the actual expectations on the street. I was actually expecting about 10Mil more.

I'm confused. When you said, "the actual expectations on the street," were you talking about Wall Street or Main Street?

 

[Going2Baja]

Here's an idea.........minimize profits while you have employees on furlough. If you can't come through on the promises you make when you hire someone...then guess what - you keep your profits low.

Baja.

 

[Kharma Police]

...or 8 or so if there is a crash...

Nice, why don't act like your avatar and choke on your own vomit.

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

When did Alaska become a "low-cost carrier"?

 

[HomerJ]

I don't get it. ALK beats the street by 7 cents and it's rewarded by getting whacked 5 percent?

You have to be DL or AA and lose money consistently for your stock price to actually go up...

 

[wscrj]

AS lost (on Thursday) because Oil spiked....and now Oil is dropping and AS (as well as others) are up.

All part of the speculation money machine.

 

[Singlecoil]

Nice, why don't act like your avatar and choke on your own vomit.

Good one.

The point was that airlines are horrible investments and an employee is the last person that should own stock in an airline. In one unfortunate accident, you could lose your job and your retirement if the company goes under.

 

[Mookie]

Good one.

The point was that airlines are horrible investments and an employee is the last person that should own stock in an airline. In one unfortunate accident, you could lose your job and your retirement if the company goes under.

He meant that you insinuated another Plane Crash...not market crash. If it was market crash...then your point is noted, if it's plane crash, then your comment was in VERY poor taste.

Mookie

 

[Singlecoil]

He meant that you insinuated another Plane Crash...not market crash. If it was market crash...then your point is noted, if it's plane crash, then your comment was in VERY poor taste.

Mookie

I meant plane crash. Something you have to think about if you are investing in an airline. I certainly don't want that to happen, but that would certainly put your investment at risk.

 

[Mookie]

I meant plane crash. Something you have to think about if you are investing in an airline. I certainly don't want that to happen, but that would certainly put your investment at risk.

then you would be considered truly a psychopath. good luck with that....

mookie

 

[kg911]

...or 8 or so if there is a crash...

What stupid thing to say...Go crawl back in your hole.