Topic: Growth Stocks

Stock Pickers Digest Hotline – Friday, February 10, 2012

Article Excerpt

WESTJET AIRLINES LTD., $13.34, symbol WJA on Toronto, reports that its revenue rose 12.9% in the three months ended December 31, 2011, to $781.5 million from $692.2 million a year earlier. Demand for the company’s flights remains high, and it has entered into new partnerships with other airlines; these were the main reasons for the higher revenue. Earnings fell 4.3%, to $35.6 million from $37.2 million. Higher fuel prices were the main reason for the decline. However, earnings per share were unchanged at $0.26 due to fewer shares outstanding. The company has also raised its quarterly dividend by 20%, to $0.06 from $0.05. The shares now yield 1.8%. WestJet has now decided to go ahead with its plan to launch a new short-haul Canadian regional airline. That would let it feed more customers into its international routes and better serve its frequent-flying business clients. The company will aim to start up the new airline by the end of 2013. WestJet is still a buy. WestJet…