Re-Rise in Crude Plays Games With Airlines (AMR, LCC, UAL, LUV, FAA)

Crude oil is already the most volatile of all economic factors for airlines and their earnings.  Last week we saw oil drop from $110 to under $100 in very short order and Thursday’s gains in the sector were more than impressive.  But on Monday we have just seen more than a $5.00 rally in crude to $102.24 per barrel.

We wanted to take a look at the price difference from last Thursday afternoon when shares were up so much late in the afternoon after oil’s huge drop that day.

AMR Corporation (NYSE: AMR) is down 3% at $6.36 versus $6.59 late on Thursday; and US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE: LCC) is down 3.1% at $9.40 today versus $10.05 late on Thursday.

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) is down not even quite 1% at $25.42, but this is down from $26.22 late on Thursday when oil was down so much.

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) was one we did not cover last Thursday as it seems to be less currency-dependent as it is effectively all domestic and it seems to be less dependent upon oil prices in comparison to the legacy carriers.  Southwest’s stock is holding up the best as shares are down only 0.45% at $12.06 today.

The Guggenheim Airline ETF (NYSE: FAA) is down 1.7% at $37.72 but it is on thin volume.

JON C. OGG