U.S. Airways’ Shares Rise on Earnings Beat

Photo of Paul Ausick
By Paul Ausick Updated Published
This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.

airplane
Thinkstock
U.S. Airways Group Inc. (NYSE: LCC) reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2012 results before markets opened this morning. For the quarter, the airlines posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.26 on revenues of $3.28 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported EPS of $0.13 on revenues of $3.16 billion. Today’s results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $0.19 and $3.28 billion in revenues.

For the full year, U.S. Airways reported EPS of $2.79 on revenues of $13.83 billion, compared with EPS of $0.68 on revenues of $13.06 billion a year ago. The consensus estimates called for $2.71 EPS on revenues of $13.82 billion.

On a GAAP basis, the airlines posted quarterly EPS of $0.22 and full-year EPS of $3.28.

The company said that revenues took a hit of $35 million in the fourth quarter and full year as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

The company’s CEO said:

These outstanding operating and revenue results combined with strong cost discipline led to record net income excluding special items of $537 million, up nearly 400 percent versus last year. Our shareholders were rewarded for their confidence in our team as US Airways stock increased 166 percent in 2012, the largest increase of any company in the Fortune 500.

The company will provide guidance during its conference call later this morning. The consensus EPS estimate for first quarter is $0.05, on revenues of $3.37 billion. For the full year, the consensus estimate calls for EPS of $3.17 on revenues of $14.42 billion.

U.S. Air’s shares are up about 2.7% in premarket trading this morning, at $15.25 in a 52-week range is $6.11 to $15.50. Thomson Reuters had a consensus analyst price target of around $17.70 before today’s report.

Photo of Paul Ausick
About the Author Paul Ausick →

Paul Ausick has been writing for a673b.bigscoots-temp.com for more than a decade. He has written extensively on investing in the energy, defense, and technology sectors. In a previous life, he wrote technical documentation and managed a marketing communications group in Silicon Valley.

He has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Chicago and now lives in Montana, where he fishes for trout in the summer and stays inside during the winter.

Featured Reads

Our top personal finance-related articles today. Your wallet will thank you later.

Continue Reading

Top Gaining Stocks

CBOE Vol: 1,568,143
PSKY Vol: 12,285,993
STX Vol: 7,378,346
ORCL Vol: 26,317,675
DDOG Vol: 6,247,779

Top Losing Stocks

LKQ
LKQ Vol: 4,367,433
CLX Vol: 13,260,523
SYK Vol: 4,519,455
MHK Vol: 1,859,865
AMGN Vol: 3,818,618