General Lee
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Analyst Likes Delta's Chances
By Ross Snel
TheStreet.com Staff Reporter
2/15/2005 10:49 AM EST
Delta Air Lines (DAL:NYSE - commentary - research) shares gained Tuesday after Calyon Securities upgraded them on a rosy assessment of the company's turnaround plan.
Shares were up 9 cents, or 1.6%, at $5.67 after rising by as much as 7.2%.
Ray Neidl, Calyon's airline analyst, raised his rating on the stock to add from neutral. "After meeting with management, our confidence that Delta can execute its plan to address its cost structure and overly leveraged balance sheet has increased," Neidl wrote in a research note explaining the upgrade. (Calyon has not received compensation for investment banking from Delta in the last year and does not expect to receive or seek such compensation in the next three months.)
After achieving $1 billion in annual savings from a new pilots contract late last year, Delta last month rocked the industry with its SimpliFares program, which simplified pricing and reduced maximum fares. The airline also executed a major rescheduling at its Atlanta hub.
"We believe that, over the next 12 months, while the company addresses its overly leveraged balance sheet, Delta will also realize the benefits from its recent cost cuts, schedule changes and streamlined operations," Neidl wrote. "As a result, we believe that Delta could have substantial upside potential in returning to profitability and in its stock price. We believe that Delta will now survive the slow winter period, even with the dilutive impact of SimpliFares, and then benefit from the higher cash flow typically seen during the spring and summer seasons."
The Atlanta-based carrier had a fourth-quarter net loss of $2.2 billion, or $16.58 a share, including noncash charges totaling $1.4 billion, vs. a loss of $327 million, or $2.69 a share, a year ago. The airline industry has been plagued with high fuel prices, overcapacity and cutthroat price competition.
At least this is what Ray Neidl says THIS WEEK..........?
Bye Bye--General Lee
By Ross Snel
TheStreet.com Staff Reporter
2/15/2005 10:49 AM EST
Delta Air Lines (DAL:NYSE - commentary - research) shares gained Tuesday after Calyon Securities upgraded them on a rosy assessment of the company's turnaround plan.
Shares were up 9 cents, or 1.6%, at $5.67 after rising by as much as 7.2%.
Ray Neidl, Calyon's airline analyst, raised his rating on the stock to add from neutral. "After meeting with management, our confidence that Delta can execute its plan to address its cost structure and overly leveraged balance sheet has increased," Neidl wrote in a research note explaining the upgrade. (Calyon has not received compensation for investment banking from Delta in the last year and does not expect to receive or seek such compensation in the next three months.)
After achieving $1 billion in annual savings from a new pilots contract late last year, Delta last month rocked the industry with its SimpliFares program, which simplified pricing and reduced maximum fares. The airline also executed a major rescheduling at its Atlanta hub.
"We believe that, over the next 12 months, while the company addresses its overly leveraged balance sheet, Delta will also realize the benefits from its recent cost cuts, schedule changes and streamlined operations," Neidl wrote. "As a result, we believe that Delta could have substantial upside potential in returning to profitability and in its stock price. We believe that Delta will now survive the slow winter period, even with the dilutive impact of SimpliFares, and then benefit from the higher cash flow typically seen during the spring and summer seasons."
The Atlanta-based carrier had a fourth-quarter net loss of $2.2 billion, or $16.58 a share, including noncash charges totaling $1.4 billion, vs. a loss of $327 million, or $2.69 a share, a year ago. The airline industry has been plagued with high fuel prices, overcapacity and cutthroat price competition.
At least this is what Ray Neidl says THIS WEEK..........?
Bye Bye--General Lee
