Here’s our Pick of the Month – December 2010

Article Excerpt

WESTJET AIRLINES $13 (Toronto symbol WJA; SI Rating: Extra Risk) (1-877-493-7853; www.westjet.com; Shares outstanding: 139.8 million; Market cap: $1.8 billion; Dividend yield 1.5%) serves 71 destinations in North America and the Caribbean. The company operates a fleet of 90 Boeing Next-Generation 737s. These planes feature more legroom, leather seats and television screens built into the back of each seat. But most important, the planes are roughly 30% more fuel-efficient than older planes. And WestJet is scheduled to receive 45 additional 737s through 2017. In the three months ended September 30, 2010, WestJet’s revenue rose 14%, to $684.6 million from $600.3 million a year earlier. Earnings jumped 71.8%, to $54 million from $31.4 million. Earnings per share rose 54.2%, to $0.37 from $0.24, on more shares outstanding. This was WestJet’s 22nd consecutive quarter of profitability. The recovering economy pushed up demand for its flights; that was the main reason for the higher revenue and earnings. WestJet’s $906.6 million of debt is 50.4% of…