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Allegiant's (ALGT) Q1 Earnings Top Estimates, Surge Y/Y

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Allegiant Travel Company (ALGT - Free Report) reported first-quarter earnings of $3.42 per share, well above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3. Also, the bottom line improved significantly on a year-over-year basis. Results were aided by the strong demand for air travel.

Quarterly revenues increased in double-digits year over year to $425.4 million, marginally above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $425.1 million. Moreover, the top line was boosted primarily by a significant increase (14.1%) in passenger revenues.

In the quarter under review, Allegiant rewarded shareholders to the tune of $11 million through dividends. As of Apr 25, 2018, the company has a share repurchase authorization of $100 million.

Further, the company’s board has cleared a dividend of 70 cents per share, payable Jun 1, 2018 to shareholders of record as of May 18.

Systemwide air traffic (measured in revenue passenger miles) in the reported quarter rose 14.3% and capacity (measured in available seat miles) expanded 10.4% year over year. Load factor (percentage of seats filled by passengers) was 83%, up 280 basis points as capacity expansion was outweighed by traffic growth.

Cost per available seat miles (CASM) excluding fuel, decreased 2%. Total scheduled service revenue per available seat miles (TRASM) also inched up 1.4% to 11.30 cents.

Allegiant Travel Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

Allegiant Travel Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Allegiant Travel Company Quote


Q2 Outlook

TRASM in the quarter is expected to decrease by two percentage points driven by Easter, falling partly in the first quarter this time. High demand for air travel during Easter generates more passenger revenues and in turn, boosts unit revenues. Additionally, scheduled and system ASMs are anticipated to increase between 10% and 14%.

Revised 2018 Outlook

The company expects fuel cost per gallon of $$2.20 for the full year. The previous forecast for the metric was $2.17 per gallon. Additionally, effective tax rate is now anticipated between 21% and 22%. Earlier, the metric was estimated at 24-25%. This upside is owing to dissolution of foreign subsidiaries leading to adjustment of deferred tax balance. Capital expenditures are now projected at $300 million, higher than the earlier predicted $290 million.

The company continues to expect earnings per share in the band of $10-$12 for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 bottom line stands at $10.84. System capacity is likely to increase between 11% and 15%, unchanged from its past guidance.

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Allegiant carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the airline space are Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (CPCAY - Free Report) , Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. and SkyWest, Inc. (SKYW - Free Report) , each with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Shares of Cathay Pacific Airways, Gol Linhas and SkyWest have gained more than 11%, 75% and 53%, respectively, in a year.

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