Brief Fundamental Analysis
Spirit Airlines Incorporated (NASDAQ:SAVE), a $2.11 billion market capitalization company, is a regional airline operating routes in the U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America. It is trading with a P/E of 18.25, and a forward P/E of 11.47. Its PEG is 0.80, and its balance sheet carries no debt.
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) is trading with a P/E of 17.77, and a forward P/E of 6.14. Its PEG ratio is 0.66, and the company is operating with a 2.43% profit margin. United Continental Holdings Inc (NYSE:UAL) is trading with a negative P/E and a forward P/E of 6.64. However, its profit margin is -1.86%. US Airways is trading with a P/E of 5.59, and a forward P/E of 5.95. Its PEG ratio is 0.09.
Earnings Report
The company has announced an outstanding quarterly earnings report, which may be found here. The company increased its total operating revenues by 22.9% from $301 million for the three months ending in 2012 to $370 million for the same period in 2013. However, its total operating expenses rose by 21.4% from $264 million to $320 million, mainly due to higher aircraft fuel prices. Overall, its total revenue increase outpaced its operating expenses, and the company saw growth in its diluted earnings per share of 31.3% from $0.32 for 1Q 2012 to $0.42 in 1Q 2013.
Part of this awesome performance was due to an increase in its revenue passenger mile (RPM). Its RPM increased 21.3% from $2.19 billion in 1Q 2012 to $2.66 billion in 1Q 2013. Furthermore, its available seat miles (ASM) increased from 2.58 billion to 3.12 billion. ASM is the revenue-generating seats available for travelers to purchase.
Due to extraordinary performance and a solid business model, the company increased its operating margin from 12.6% in 1Q 2012 to 14.4% in 1Q 2013. This should bring provide investors with confidence about the outstanding performance of Spirit Airlines Incorporated (NASDAQ:SAVE).
On the other hand, Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL), United Continental Holdings, and US Airways Group Inc (NYSE:LCC) did not fare as well. Delta Air Lines increased its revenue by 1% from $8.41 billion in 1Q 2012 to $8.50 billion in 1Q 2013. Its net income declined 94% from $124 million ($0.15 EPS) to $7 million ($0.01 EPS) for the same period.
United Continental Holdings Inc (NYSE:UAL) increased its revenue by 1.4% from $8.60 billion in 1Q 2012 to $8.72 billion in 1Q 2013. Due to less costs of operation, the company’s net loss narrowed from a loss of $448 million (or 1.36 EPS) to a loss of $417 million (or 1.26 EPS). The company significantly improved its operations, but because it is still losing cash, I do not recommend taking a long position United Continental.
US Airways Group Inc (NYSE:LCC) reported an increase of revenue from $3.26 billion to $3.38 billion for the same period. However, due to a 2.2% increase of its operational costs, the company’s net income declined 8.3% from $48 million ($0.28 EPS) to $44 million (0.26 EPS).
Spirit Airways’ performance for 1Q 2013 was better in comparison to other major airlines, and it should provide further confidence to investors about the solid business model of this carrier.
Expansion of Spirit Airways
The company has announced the inauguration of nine nonstop routes starting April 25, 2013, and four starting in June 2013. The press release may be accessed here.
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) – Cancun, Mexico (CUN)
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) – Los Angeles (LAX)
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) – Oakland/San Francisco (OAK)
Philadelphia (PHL) – Las Vegas (LAS)
Philadelphia (PHL) – Myrtle Beach (MYR)
Baltimore/Washington (BWI) – Myrtle Beach (MYR)
Baltimore/Washington (BWI) – Las Vegas (LAS)
Houston (IAH) – Los Angeles (LAX)
Denver (DEN) – Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP)
