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Airline Stocks' Q2 Earnings Due on Jul 26: AAL, LUV & More
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The Q2 earnings season is picking up pace with multiple companies reporting earnings each passing day. Per the latest Earnings Preview, 175 S&P 500 companies are expected to report their quarterly numbers this week.
According to the report, the entire S&P 500 is projected to end the Q2 reporting cycle with bottom-line growth of 21% on a year-over-year basis. The same set of companies is expected to witness top-line growth to the tune of 8.3%.
In fact, of the 16 Zacks sectors, 11 are anticipated to end the current reporting cycle with double-digit earnings growth. One of them is the widely-diversified Zacks Transportation sector. The top- and bottom line for this sector are anticipated to increase 8.3% and 14.8%, respectively, on a year-over-year basis. These projections compare unfavorably with the readings in Q1 when revenues increased 9% and earnings improved 21.3%.
The reasons behind such unfavorable comparisons are the multiple challenges that the Transportation sector has been facing in the April-June period (Q2 reporting period). Let’s delve into the details to unearth these headwinds.
Rising fuel costs has hurt airline stocks, which form an integral part of the Transportation sector, big time. Oil prices have increased roughly 14% in the April-June period. Apart from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the economic crisis in Venezuela — a major oil exporter — and OPEC’s plans of a lower-than-expected output raise have backed the rally in oil prices. Since expenses on fuel are significant for airlines, an increase in oil prices is unfavorable for the space. In fact, Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL - Free Report) trimmed its projection on 2018 earnings per share citing high fuel costs.
This apart, expenses on the labor front are likely to limit bottom-line growth for carriers. Also, capacity-related woes might prevent airlines from flying high in the current earnings season. Moreover, airfares have remained low, with the metric declining in April, May and June. Although favorable for passengers, low air fares are a drag for airline companies. For instance, the average fare at JetBlue Airways Corporation (JBLU - Free Report) declined 0.7% to $170.08 in Q2. Customer-related issues represent another headwind for airlines.
In view of this bearish sentiment surrounding airline stocks, investors keenly await Q2 reports from key sector participants like American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL - Free Report) , Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV - Free Report) , Alaska Air Group, Inc. (ALK - Free Report) , Spirit Airlines, Inc. (SAVE - Free Report) and SkyWest, Inc. (SKYW - Free Report) on Jul 26.
According to our quantitative model, a company needs the right combination of two key ingredients — a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better — to increase its odds of an earnings surprise. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
American Airlines is headquartered in Fort Worth, TX. Of late, this carrier also experienced a turbulent phase like the other airlines mainly due to increasing fuel costs.
High fuel costs are likely to hurt the company’s bottom line in Q2. Average fuel price per gallon is anticipated to lie between $2.24 and $2.29, much higher than $1.62 in the year-ago period as well as $2.10 in first-quarter 2018.
In fact, the chances of this legacy carrier beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate are less, even though it has a Zacks Rank #3. This is because it has an Earnings ESP of -0.13% (read more: American Airlines Q2 Earnings: Will it Disappoint?).
American Airlines Group Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
We expect high fuel costs and low bookings due to the unfortunate flight 1380 incident in April to hurt Southwest Airlines’ earnings. In fact, the chances of this low-cost carrier beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate are less, even though it has a Zacks Rank #3. This is because it has an Earnings ESP of -0.51% (read more: Southwest Airlines Q2 Earnings: Will it Disappoint?).
Increased costs are likely to put pressure on Alaska Air Group’s bottom line as well. Notably, the carrier expects second-quarter non-fuel unit costs to rise approximately 3.5% year over year. Also, economic fuel cost per gallon is anticipated to increase nearly 35% to $2.31.
Our proven model too does not conclusively show that Alaska Air Group is likely to beat earnings estimates this quarter, despite its Earnings ESP of +2.35%. This is because the company has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), which acts as a spoiler (read more: Will High Costs Mar Alaska Air Group's Q2 Earnings?).
We expect high costs and soft unit revenues to hurt results at Spirit Airlines. Our proven model too does not conclusively show that this low-cost carrier is likely to beat earnings estimates this quarter, despite its Zacks Rank #3. This is because the company has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% (read more: Spirit Q2 Earnings: What's in the Cards for the Stock?).
High operating expenses are likely to hurt SkyWest’s bottom line. Apart from fleet transition related expenses, other factors like rising fuel costs and incentives to retain pilots are likely to weigh on the company’s bottom-line performance. Our proven model too does not conclusively show that SkyWest is likely to beat earnings estimates this quarter, despite its Earnings ESP of +1.02%. This is because the company has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), which acts as a spoiler.
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Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020.
Image: Bigstock
Airline Stocks' Q2 Earnings Due on Jul 26: AAL, LUV & More
The Q2 earnings season is picking up pace with multiple companies reporting earnings each passing day. Per the latest Earnings Preview, 175 S&P 500 companies are expected to report their quarterly numbers this week.
According to the report, the entire S&P 500 is projected to end the Q2 reporting cycle with bottom-line growth of 21% on a year-over-year basis. The same set of companies is expected to witness top-line growth to the tune of 8.3%.
In fact, of the 16 Zacks sectors, 11 are anticipated to end the current reporting cycle with double-digit earnings growth. One of them is the widely-diversified Zacks Transportation sector. The top- and bottom line for this sector are anticipated to increase 8.3% and 14.8%, respectively, on a year-over-year basis. These projections compare unfavorably with the readings in Q1 when revenues increased 9% and earnings improved 21.3%.
The reasons behind such unfavorable comparisons are the multiple challenges that the Transportation sector has been facing in the April-June period (Q2 reporting period). Let’s delve into the details to unearth these headwinds.
Rising fuel costs has hurt airline stocks, which form an integral part of the Transportation sector, big time. Oil prices have increased roughly 14% in the April-June period. Apart from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the economic crisis in Venezuela — a major oil exporter — and OPEC’s plans of a lower-than-expected output raise have backed the rally in oil prices. Since expenses on fuel are significant for airlines, an increase in oil prices is unfavorable for the space. In fact, Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL - Free Report) trimmed its projection on 2018 earnings per share citing high fuel costs.
This apart, expenses on the labor front are likely to limit bottom-line growth for carriers. Also, capacity-related woes might prevent airlines from flying high in the current earnings season. Moreover, airfares have remained low, with the metric declining in April, May and June. Although favorable for passengers, low air fares are a drag for airline companies. For instance, the average fare at JetBlue Airways Corporation (JBLU - Free Report) declined 0.7% to $170.08 in Q2. Customer-related issues represent another headwind for airlines.
In view of this bearish sentiment surrounding airline stocks, investors keenly await Q2 reports from key sector participants like American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL - Free Report) , Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV - Free Report) , Alaska Air Group, Inc. (ALK - Free Report) , Spirit Airlines, Inc. (SAVE - Free Report) and SkyWest, Inc. (SKYW - Free Report) on Jul 26.
According to our quantitative model, a company needs the right combination of two key ingredients — a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better — to increase its odds of an earnings surprise. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
American Airlines is headquartered in Fort Worth, TX. Of late, this carrier also experienced a turbulent phase like the other airlines mainly due to increasing fuel costs.
High fuel costs are likely to hurt the company’s bottom line in Q2. Average fuel price per gallon is anticipated to lie between $2.24 and $2.29, much higher than $1.62 in the year-ago period as well as $2.10 in first-quarter 2018.
In fact, the chances of this legacy carrier beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate are less, even though it has a Zacks Rank #3. This is because it has an Earnings ESP of -0.13% (read more: American Airlines Q2 Earnings: Will it Disappoint?).
American Airlines Group Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
American Airlines Group Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | American Airlines Group Inc. Quote
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
We expect high fuel costs and low bookings due to the unfortunate flight 1380 incident in April to hurt Southwest Airlines’ earnings. In fact, the chances of this low-cost carrier beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate are less, even though it has a Zacks Rank #3. This is because it has an Earnings ESP of -0.51% (read more: Southwest Airlines Q2 Earnings: Will it Disappoint?).
Southwest Airlines Co. Price and EPS Surprise
Southwest Airlines Co. Price and EPS Surprise | Southwest Airlines Co. Quote
Increased costs are likely to put pressure on Alaska Air Group’s bottom line as well. Notably, the carrier expects second-quarter non-fuel unit costs to rise approximately 3.5% year over year. Also, economic fuel cost per gallon is anticipated to increase nearly 35% to $2.31.
Our proven model too does not conclusively show that Alaska Air Group is likely to beat earnings estimates this quarter, despite its Earnings ESP of +2.35%. This is because the company has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), which acts as a spoiler (read more: Will High Costs Mar Alaska Air Group's Q2 Earnings?).
Alaska Air Group, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
Alaska Air Group, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Alaska Air Group, Inc. Quote
We expect high costs and soft unit revenues to hurt results at Spirit Airlines. Our proven model too does not conclusively show that this low-cost carrier is likely to beat earnings estimates this quarter, despite its Zacks Rank #3. This is because the company has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% (read more: Spirit Q2 Earnings: What's in the Cards for the Stock?).
Spirit Airlines, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
Spirit Airlines, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Spirit Airlines, Inc. Quote
High operating expenses are likely to hurt SkyWest’s bottom line. Apart from fleet transition related expenses, other factors like rising fuel costs and incentives to retain pilots are likely to weigh on the company’s bottom-line performance. Our proven model too does not conclusively show that SkyWest is likely to beat earnings estimates this quarter, despite its Earnings ESP of +1.02%. This is because the company has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), which acts as a spoiler.
SkyWest, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
SkyWest, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | SkyWest, Inc. Quote
More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!
It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.
Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020.
Click here for the 6 trades >>