We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Alaska Air Group's December Traffic Up, Load Factor Down
Read MoreHide Full Article
Alaska Air Group Inc. (ALK - Free Report) has recently reported traffic figures for December 2017. Traffic, measured in revenue passenger miles (RPMs), increased 9.2% to 4.51 billion. On a year-over-year basis, consolidated capacity (or available seat miles/ASMs) rose 10.3% to 5.48 billion. However, load factor or percentage of seats filled by passengers declined 80 basis points to 82.3% in the month as capacity expansion outpaced traffic growth.
At the end of 2017, Alaska Air Group generated RPMs of 52.34 billion (up 7.3% year over year) and ASMs of 57.95 billion (up 7.1% year over year). While, load factor stood at 84.3% compared with 84.1% in 2016.
We remind investors that last month, the carrier hiked its guidance for non-fuel unit costs in the fourth quarter mainly due to pay-related deal inked with its pilots. Fourth-quarter cost per available seat mile (CASM) excluding fuel and special items is anticipated between 8.63 cents and 8.68 cents, higher than the previous view of 8.50-8.55 cents range.
High costs are likely to hurt the airline's bottom line in the fourth quarter of 2017 as was in the third quarter. Results for the final quarter will be available on Jan 25.
Alaska Air Group carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the airline space are Deutsche Lufthansa AG (DLAKY - Free Report) , SkyWest, Inc. (SKYW - Free Report) and Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. . While Deutsche Lufthansa and SkyWest sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Gol Linhas carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Shares of Deutsche Lufthansa, SkyWest and Gol Linhas soared more than 100%, 45% and 200%, respectively, in 2017.
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +18.8% from 2016 - Q1 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +157.0%, +128.0%, +97.8%, +94.7%, and +90.2% respectively.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - Q1 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 11X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>>
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Alaska Air Group's December Traffic Up, Load Factor Down
Alaska Air Group Inc. (ALK - Free Report) has recently reported traffic figures for December 2017. Traffic, measured in revenue passenger miles (RPMs), increased 9.2% to 4.51 billion. On a year-over-year basis, consolidated capacity (or available seat miles/ASMs) rose 10.3% to 5.48 billion. However, load factor or percentage of seats filled by passengers declined 80 basis points to 82.3% in the month as capacity expansion outpaced traffic growth.
At the end of 2017, Alaska Air Group generated RPMs of 52.34 billion (up 7.3% year over year) and ASMs of 57.95 billion (up 7.1% year over year). While, load factor stood at 84.3% compared with 84.1% in 2016.
We remind investors that last month, the carrier hiked its guidance for non-fuel unit costs in the fourth quarter mainly due to pay-related deal inked with its pilots. Fourth-quarter cost per available seat mile (CASM) excluding fuel and special items is anticipated between 8.63 cents and 8.68 cents, higher than the previous view of 8.50-8.55 cents range.
High costs are likely to hurt the airline's bottom line in the fourth quarter of 2017 as was in the third quarter. Results for the final quarter will be available on Jan 25.
Alaska Air Group, Inc. Price
Alaska Air Group, Inc. Price | Alaska Air Group, Inc. Quote
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Alaska Air Group carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the airline space are Deutsche Lufthansa AG (DLAKY - Free Report) , SkyWest, Inc. (SKYW - Free Report) and Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. . While Deutsche Lufthansa and SkyWest sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Gol Linhas carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Shares of Deutsche Lufthansa, SkyWest and Gol Linhas soared more than 100%, 45% and 200%, respectively, in 2017.
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +18.8% from 2016 - Q1 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +157.0%, +128.0%, +97.8%, +94.7%, and +90.2% respectively.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - Q1 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 11X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
See Them Free>>