In The Intelligent Investor, Benjamin Graham defined a bargain issue as one which, on the basis of facts established by analysis, appears to be worth considerably more than it is selling for. According to Graham, an issue is not a true “bargain” unless the indicated value is at least 50% more than the price. To identify a bargain issue, Graham proposed 2 tests: the first one being the “method of appraisal” or estimating future earnings and then multiplying these by a factor (that is, how attractive is the stock from a valuation perspective). The second test is the value of the business to a private owner (how attractive is the firm’s balance sheet, specifically, its assets).
While at low points in the markets, finding a bargain is relatively easy; the current market condition makes this process challenging. Most stocks’ relative valuation (to bonds). It is normal to see prices way above the value that fundamentals dictate.
Identifying a bargain issue has become increasingly challenging, but not impossible. Despite an amazing 76% increase in stock price in the past 12 months, Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) could be the value pick I have been searching for a long time.
In this article, we show that even after the amazing rally it experienced in the past year, Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) passes the 2 tests proposed by Graham. The analysis in this article follows a value investment philosophy and a one year investment horizon, therefore we will not pay attention to technicals and short term momentum. I would not have been able to identify this pick if it weren’t for Kyle Cerminara, from Fundamental Global Investors, who recently made a buy call on Southwest at SumZero.
First test: Value
To past the first Graham test, we first use a multiples approach. Due to similarities in the business environment, our peer group involves: Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL), United Continental Holdings Inc (NYSE:UAL) and US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE:LCC). Southwest’s current P/E ratio stands at 28.1, Delta at 17.7, United Continental at 5.9 and US Airways at 6,1. But it gets better. Let us move to the EBITA figure for Southwest, $ 1.58 billion as of March 2013. Stock is trading at $14.38 dollars per share (which is approximately the closing price on Friday 17, 2013). This implies a current market capitalization of roughly $10.5B. Therefore, even after its recent increase in stock price, Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) is trading only at 6x EBITA.
We are not alone in our thoughts. Matthew Unruh recently wrote an article about the stock, were he estimated that the price range for Southwest from $12.85 to $32.91. Kyle Cerminara (who has a $32 price target), from Fundamental Global Investors, also recognizes the amazing value this airline can carry: Southwest is trading at just 4x operating cash flow. The stock is also trading at 80% of its replacement costs versus 300% in 2000, when it achieved its highest profitability and margin.
We can also observe a healthy trend in free cash flows since 2008. Notice that operating revenue is increasing since 2010 (were free cash flow achieved a record high). Despite this, cash flow has decreased since 2010. This is a signal that Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV)’s management is increasing current operational costs in order to guarantee healthy growth in the future. 
To finish this section, I run a DCF valuation using Old School Value stock valuation spreadsheet.
Our assumptions are as follow: we assume a 12% annual growth rate for the next 10 years and a 3% terminal growth rate. For the WACC discount rate, we assume 9%. Using these assumptions, we obtain a fair value estimate of $20.49 per share, well above the current market price. The following image is a screenshot of our spreadsheet, were you can observe other details, like taxes and margins. We also include a sensitivity matrix.
Result: Pass
Second test: Balance sheet
For being an airline, Southwest has a strong balance sheet. According to Yahoo Finance, it holds more than $4 billion in cash and short term investments, which is about 40% of its current market capitalization. Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) also enjoys low leverage, as measured by debt-to-total capital (including aircraft leases, which are off balance sheet). Kyle Cerminara estimates that debt-to-total capital continues to decline to 41% at year-end 2012, compared to 47% in 2011, and 50% after acquiring AirTran in May 2011.
But according to Basili Alukos from Morning Star, there is also a $800 million undrawn revolver. If fuel prices increase substantially in the next years, the firm could find it hard to meet its principal commitments. However, the introduction of more fuel-efficient airplanes could help to offset this exogenous risk.
Result: Pass
There is something special about Southwest: Profitability
Despite being an airline, Southwest has passed the 2 Graham tests and is a potential bargain issue. But there is more. Southwest has never filed bankruptcy, unlike most of its competitors. It has been profitable for the past 40 years, never gone under a major downsizing and it could also be the airline with the fewest complaints . According to this study, just 0.27 per 100,000 passengers in 2010 filled a complaint the previous year.
Thomson Reuters compared the revenue and profit figures of 5 of the most emblematic airlines in the U.S. A lot of progress has been made since the 2008-09 downturn. However, to date, only Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV), Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) and US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE:LCC) are profitable. And Southwest’s total revenue size is much smaller in comparison with Delta Air Lines, yet the proportion of total revenue that is being converted into profit is more attractive.
To confirm this, I look at last year’s margins. Delta Airlines had a 40.94 gross margin, 5.93% operating margin and 2.8% EBT margin last year.Impressive but not the best. Southwest had a gross margin of 56.0%, an operating margin of 3.65% and a EBT margin of 4.01% last year.
In the latest earnings announcement, Southwest reported record revenues but the profit figures slipped. Luckily, there is an explanation for that. I believe that Southwest’s integration process with AirTran Airways is not completely over. Eventually, the advantages obtained by owing AirTran Airways (notice that most of AirTran Airway’s routes did not overlap with Southwest) will offset any extra costs born after the integration.
There are certain exogenous factors that could affect Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV)’s margins in the future. For example, Basili Alukos reminds us that the tax percentage on airfare has tripled to about 20% of the price of a ticket today since the 70’s, and will continue raising. Furthermore, the company employs 40,000 people, of which 80% or more are unionized. But these risks affect not only Southwest, they are common in the industry.
The catalyst everybody is waiting for
Now, if fuel prices decrease, Southwest would be much better off in comparison to other major airlines. Because they are a budget airline, they have a very efficient cost structure. However, fuel costs are not something you can directly control. They currently represent 36% of operating expenses. If fuel prices were to decrease, Southwest’s competitive advantage would increase massively, as their main operating expense decreases. Fundamental Global Investors has estimated that a 15% decrease in Brent crude provides incremental EPS of $0.65 a share, assuming the current hedge of 15% of 2013 oil consumption. But will fuel prices actually decrease this year? The latest price movements (3 months) in Brent crude oil gives us some hope, but it is too early to make any final prediction.
References
Data comes from Morning Star. Old School value spread sheet was used for the valuation. We used a report from Fundamental Global Investors (Kyle Cerminara) published on May 16th at SumZero.
Final Remarks
Airlines are known for being problematic. However, the current value, management commitment and balance sheet of Southwest suggest a buy with a long term investment horizon. At $14 per share, I identify Southwest as a bargain issue. Furthermore, if fuel prices were to decrease, Southwest could have a great year both in terms of profit and revenue size.
Price target: $20.00 / from N.A.
Rating: Buy / from N.A.
Investment Strategy: Value, Event
Investment Horizon: 1 year
Uncertainty: Medium
Adrian Campos has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Southwest Airlines.
The article Southwest Airlines: A Bargain? originally appeared on Fool.com.
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