It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Southwest Airlines Company (LUV Quick QuoteLUV - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 3.6% in that time frame, outperforming the DJIA.

Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is LUV due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.

Fourth Quarter Earnings

Southwest Airlines' earnings per share (excluding $2.41 from non-recurring items) of 77 cents beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 76 cents. The bottom line also increased 4.1% on a year-over-year basis.

Operating revenues of $5,274 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5,242.1 million. Also, the top line improved 3.9% year over year. Passenger revenues accounted for bulk (89.8%) of the same.

Operating Statistics

Airline traffic, measured in revenue passenger miles, nudged up 2.6% year over year to 32.19 billion in the quarter under review. Capacity or available seat miles (ASMs) expanded 2% to 37.89 billion. Load factor (percentage of seats filled by passengers) came in at 85%, up 60 basis points on a year-over-year basis as traffic growth was more than capacity expansion.

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM: a key measure of unit revenues) inched up 0.5% to 12.50 cents. In the reported quarter, revenue per available seat mile (RASM), was 13.92 cents, up 1.9% year over year.

Operating Expenses & Income

In the fourth quarter, operating income (as reported) came in at $773 million compared with $846 million in the prior-year quarter. Excluding special items, the operating income stood at $746 million, down 2.9%. Total adjusted operating expenses (excluding profit sharing, fuel and oil expense plus special items) climbed 6.2% year over year.

Fuel price per gallon (inclusive of fuel tax: economic) increased 1% year over year to $2.09. Consolidated unit cost or cost per available seat mile (CASM) — excluding fuel, oil and special items — rose 4.1% year over year to 9.17 cents.

Liquidity

The company had cash and cash equivalents of $1,495 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017 compared with $1,680 million at the end of the comparable period in 2016. As of Dec 31, 2017, the company had a long-term debt (less current maturities) of $3,320 million compared with $2,821 million at the end of 2016.

While the carrier generated a cash flow of $1.8 billion at the end of 2017, it returned $1.9 billion to its shareholders through a combination of dividends and share repurchases.

Guidance

For the first quarter of 2018, the carrier expects revenue per available seat mile (RASM) to rise between 1% and 2%. First-quarter unit costs excluding fuel and oil expense, profit-sharing expense and special items are estimated to grow in the band of 0.5-1.5%. While economic fuel costs for the first quarter are predicted in the range of $2.10-$2.15 per gallon. For 2018, the metric is anticipated in the same range, reflecting an increase of 2% from the year-ago figure.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?

It turns out, fresh estimate flatlined during the past month. There has been one revision higher for the current quarter compared to one lower.

Southwest Airlines Company Price and Consensus

 

Southwest Airlines Company Price and Consensus | Southwest Airlines Company Quote

VGM Scores

At this time, LUV has a nice Growth Score of B, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. The stock was also allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

Based on our scores, the stock is equally suitable for momentum, value and growth investors.

Outlook

LUV has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months.