Encore will boost WestJet

Article Excerpt

WESTJET AIRLINES $18.55 (Toronto symbol WJA; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (1- 877-493-7853; www.westjet.com; Shares outstanding: 126.9 million; Market cap: $2.4 billion; Dividend yield: 1.7%) reports that its revenue rose 11.8% in the three months ended September 30, 2012, to $866.5 million from $775.3 million a year earlier. Earnings jumped 79.9%, to $70.6 million from $39.3 million. That’s a new record for the second quarter. The higher revenue pushed up the company’s earnings. WestJet aims to start up its new shorthaul Canadian regional airline, which it has now named WestJet Encore, by the end of 2013. Encore will serve smaller centres with Bombardier turboprop planes. WestJet is still a buy. buy…