Fuel costs hit WestJet

Article Excerpt

WESTJET AIRLINES $12.12 (Toronto symbol WJA; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (1-877-493-7853; www.westjet.com; Shares outstanding: 141.3 million; Market cap: $1.7 billion; Dividend yield: 1.7%) reports that its revenue rose 13.3% in the three months ended September 30, 2011, to $775.3 million from $684.1 million a year earlier. Demand remains high for the company’s flights, and it has entered into new partnerships with other airlines. These were the main reasons for the higher revenue. However, earnings fell 10.4%, to $39.3 million from $43.8 million. Earnings per share fell 6.7%, to $0.28 from $0.30, on fewer shares outstanding. Higher fuel prices were the main reason for the lower earnings. Fuel costs averaged $0.89 a litre in the latest quarter, up 27% from a year earlier. WestJet has a new, fuel-efficient fleet and a low cost structure. As well, it serves more cities than many of its competitors. It’s selectively adding to these destinations, and focusing on sunshine destinations, where it can add to its earnings by…