The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects the Regional Airlines industry to witness strong traffic this year, with passenger travel demand to grow by 6.9% compared with the 6.7% growth projected for 2015. This morning, Stock-Callers.com draws investors’ attention to the following equities to see how they have fared over the previous weeks: Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV), JetBlue Airways Corp. (NASDAQ: JBLU), Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE: ALK), and Hawaiian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: HA).
Southwest Airlines
Texas headquartered Southwest Airlines Co.’s shares rose 0.18% and finished Thursday’s trading session at $39.17. A total volume of 4.82 million shares was traded. In the last one month, the stock has advanced 1.27%. The Company’s shares are trading above their 50-day moving average by 5.32%. Moreover, shares of Southwest Airlines, which operates passenger airlines that provide scheduled air transportation services in the US and near-international markets, have a Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 61.06.
On September 09th, 2016, research firm Imperial Capital initiated an ‘Outperform’ rating on the Company’s stock, issuing a target price of $46 per share.
On September 29th, 2016, Southwest Airlines announced that Reid Grandle, Senior Director in the Corporate Strategy Department, has been promoted to Vice President Corporate Strategy, thus succeeding Mike Delehant, who recently left Southwest Airlines to pursue a role with a European airline.
JetBlue Airways
On Thursday, shares in New York-based JetBlue Airways Corp. recorded a trading volume of 3.50 million shares and ended the session 1.34% lower at $17.62. The stock has gained 5.32% in the last one month and 2.98% in the previous three months. The Company’s shares are trading 3.94% above their 50-day moving average. Furthermore, shares of JetBlue Airways, which provides air transportation services, have an RSI of 57.31.
On September 16th, 2016, research firm Imperial Capital initiated an ‘Outperform’ rating on the Company’s stock, issuing a target price of $21 per share.
On September 27th, 2016, JetBlue announced that it will redeem all of its outstanding 6.75% convertible debentures due 2039 (Series B) at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. Approximately $86,206,000 of the 6.75% Notes remained outstanding as of September 26th, 2016.
Alaska Air Group
Shares in Washington-based Alaska Air Group Inc. closed the day at $69.09, climbing 1.14%. The stock recorded a trading volume of 821,414 shares. The Company’s shares have gained 15.90% in the previous three months, and are trading 3.28% above their 50-day moving average. Additionally, shares of Alaska Air Group, which through its subsidiaries, provides passengers and cargo air transportation services primarily in the US, have an RSI of 60.55.
On September 23rd, 2016, research firm Imperial Capital initiated an ‘In-Line’ rating on the Company’s stock, issuing a target price of $74 per share.
On October 04th, 2016, the company reported September and year-to-date operational results for its mainline operations operated by subsidiary Alaska Airlines, and for its regional flying operated by subsidiary Horizon Air Industries, Inc. and third-party regional carriers, SkyWest Airlines and PenAir. On a combined basis, Air Group reported a 7.4% increase in traffic on a 4.2% increase in capacity compared to September 2015. Load factor increased 2.5 points to 84.1%. Alaska airlines reported a 6.6% increase in traffic on a 3.2% increase in capacity compared to September 2015. Load Factor increased 2.7 points to 84.5%. Alaska also reported 90.2% of its flights arrived on time in September compared to the 88.8% reported in September 2015.
Hawaiian Holdings
At the closing bell yesterday, shares in Hawaiian Holdings Inc. ended 0.02% lower at $50.82 and with a total trading volume of 289,090 shares. The stock has advanced 3.19% in the last one month, 20.28% in the previous three months, and 43.84% since the start of this year. The Company’s shares are trading above their 50-day and 200-day moving averages by 9.30% and 20.63%, respectively. Furthermore, shares of Hawaiian Holdings, which through its subsidiary, Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., engages in the scheduled air transportation of passengers and cargo, have an RSI of 70.85.
On October 06th, 2016, Hawaiian Airlines announced its system-wide traffic statistics for the month of September, third quarter and year-to-date. Hawaiian reported that the number of passengers travelling in September 2016 increased 4.1% on y-o-y basis to 883,315. The airlines reported that Load factor increased 2.9 points to 85.0%. For Q3 2016 Hawaiian reported that number of passengers travelling increased 3.0% on y-o-y basis to 2,918,230.
