Southwest Airlines Reports First Quarter Profit
DALLAS, April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) today reported first quarter 2010 net income of $11 million, or $.01 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $91 million, or $.12 loss per diluted share, for first quarter 2009. First quarter 2010 results included special items (net of taxes) of $13 million, related to non-cash, mark-to-market, and other items associated with a portion of the Company’s fuel hedge portfolio. Excluding special items for both periods, first quarter 2010 net income was $24 million, or $.03 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $20 million, or $.03 loss per diluted share, in first quarter 2009. The first quarter 2010 net income per diluted share, excluding special items, is in line with Thomson's First Call mean estimate of $.03 net income per diluted share. Additional information regarding special items is included in this release and in the accompanying reconciliation tables.
Gary C. Kelly, CEO, stated: “We are extremely pleased to report a profitable start to the year, especially in this challenging economic environment exacerbated by persistently high energy costs. As the quarter progressed, we began to see modest improvement in demand for business travel, as measured by the increase in full-fare traffic. Overall demand for our Low Fares and high quality Customer Service remained strong, resulting in a record first quarter performance for load factor, passenger yield, and passenger revenues. Furthermore, first quarter 2010 operating unit revenues, and the corresponding 19.3 percent year-over-year increase, represent all-time quarterly records. To achieve this revenue performance in, seasonally, the weakest quarter, is notable. To do so in a recovering economic environment is truly remarkable. Thus far, strong load factor and yield trends have continued in April and, assuming trends continue, we expect another significant year-over-year unit revenue gain in second quarter 2010.
“Our network optimization and revenue management efforts continue to contribute significantly to this industry-leading revenue performance. Efforts to enhance our already exceptional Brand and Customer Experience also have contributed. We were recently recognized by Business Week in its fourth annual listing of Customer Service Champs. As the only domestic airline to receive an award, the publication attributed our Bags Fly Free policy and proactive Customer Service as the primary reasons for our recognition.”
As anticipated, first quarter 2010 economic fuel costs increased 33 percent year-over-year to $2.34 per gallon, which included approximately $44 million in unfavorable cash settlements from derivative contracts. For the remainder of 2010, including second quarter, Southwest currently has derivative contracts in place for approximately 65 percent of estimated fuel consumption at crude-equivalent prices up to approximately $100 per barrel; approximately 40 percent if market prices settle in the $100 to $120 per barrel range; and approximately 60 percent if market prices exceed $120 per barrel. Based on the current 2010 fuel hedge portfolio and market prices (as of April 20, 2010), the Company estimates economic fuel costs, including fuel taxes, for second quarter will be in the $2.40 to $2.45 per gallon range. Beyond 2010, the Company has derivative contracts in place for over 60 percent of its estimated 2011 fuel consumption; approximately 50 percent for 2012; approximately 25 percent for 2013, and a modest position for 2014.
Excluding fuel, first quarter 2010 unit costs increased 9.8 percent from the same period a year ago, largely due to a 6.4 percent decline in first quarter year-over-year available seat miles (capacity). Based on current cost trends and flat year-over-year capacity, the Company anticipates second quarter 2010 unit costs, excluding fuel, will exceed second quarter 2009’s 6.91 cents.
“As part of our continual efforts to adapt to dramatically higher energy prices, we remain focused on improving productivity to combat cost pressures, with a three percent reduction in headcount per aircraft over first quarter last year,” stated Kelly. “We anticipate year-over-year nonfuel cost pressures will be more in the first half of 2010, but should ebb, somewhat, in the second half of the year with modest capacity additions.
“We have made great progress on numerous strategic revenue initiatives, and work continues on enhancements to our frequent flyer, southwest.com, and revenue management systems. Although we announced last week that we are terminating our Canadian codeshare agreement with WestJet, our efforts continue uninterrupted to enable international connecting itineraries to Mexico with Volaris.
“Operationally, our People continued to deliver outstanding levels of Customer Service, despite severe weather resulting in significant cancellations during first quarter 2010. I am very grateful to all of our 35,000 hard-working and resilient Employees for their tremendous efforts. It is because of their unwavering Warrior Spirits that Southwest Airlines continues to lead the industry and be recognized for excellence.”
For the fourteenth consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine recognized Southwest Airlines in its annual survey of corporate reputations. Among all industries, Southwest Airlines was named the twelfth most admired Company in the world. It is the only U.S. airline to make this list of the World's Top 50 Most Admired Companies. For the second year in a row, Southwest Airlines was named the top-rated corporate brand in American City Business Journals’ brand ranking survey. Southwest Airlines Cargo was recently recognized by Air Cargo World in its sixth annual Air Cargo Excellence Survey, receiving the highest overall score and leading all airlines in the Performance and Value categories. The Southwest Airlines’ Leadership team received the honor of being ranked number two on the 2009 top 20 Best Companies for Leadership List presented by Business Week, in partnership with The Hay Group. And, in the February 2010 issue of Institutional Investor Magazine, Gary Kelly and Laura Wright were both named to the 2010 All-America Executive Team as the top performing CEO and CFO, respectively, in the airline sector.
The Company has previously announced its plans to begin service on May 23, 2010, to the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport near Panama City Beach, Florida with eight daily nonstop flights.
Southwest will discuss its first quarter 2010 results on a conference call at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time today. A live broadcast of the conference call will be available at southwest.com/investor_relations.
Operating Results
Total operating revenues for first quarter 2010 increased 11.6 percent to $2.63 billion, compared to $2.36 billion for first quarter 2009. Total first quarter 2010 operating expenses were $2.58 billion, compared to $2.41 billion in first quarter 2009. Operating income for first quarter 2010 was $54 million, compared to an operating loss of $50 million in first quarter 2009. Excluding special items, operating income was $102 million in first quarter 2010, compared to $31 million for the same period last year.
“Other expenses” were $37 million for first quarter 2010, compared to $57 million for first quarter 2009, a decline of $20 million, primarily due to the decrease in “other losses, net”. In first quarter 2010 and first quarter 2009, “other losses, net” included net unrealized gains associated with the Company’s fuel hedging program of $27 million and $10 million, respectively. It also included hedging program costs of $31 million in first quarter 2010 and $32 million in first quarter 2009.
The first quarter 2010 effective tax rate was 35 percent compared to 15 percent for the same period last year. The first quarter 2009 tax rate was impacted by the Company’s projections for full year 2009 financial results and the related impact that permanent tax differences were expected to have on those projections.
Net cash provided by operations for first quarter 2010 was $373 million compared to $286 million provided by operations for the same period last year. First quarter 2010 capital expenditures were $139 million, and the Company’s planned 2010 capital expenditures remain in the $600 to $700 million range. In addition to a fully available, unsecured, revolving credit facility of $600 million, the Company currently has approximately $3 billion in cash and short-term investments.
The Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2009, has been adjusted to retroactively apply an elective change in accounting method for frequent flyer benefits. With this change, the Company now makes an accrual for partially earned frequent flyer awards. Previously, the Company only accrued for fully earned frequent flyer awards. The impact of this change to the Company's first quarter 2010 and first quarter 2009 unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Cash Flows, respectively, was not material.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to (i) the Company’s growth plans and expectations; (ii) its financial and operating strategies and initiatives and related expectations; and (iii) its expectations regarding future results of operations. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current intent, expectations, and projections and are not guarantees of future performance. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the price and availability of aircraft fuel, the impact of hedge accounting, and any changes to the Company’s strategies for addressing fuel price volatility; (ii) continued economic uncertainty, which could continue to impact the demand for air travel and the Company’s ability to adjust fares; (iii) the impact of fuel prices and economic conditions on the Company’s overall business plan and strategies; (iv) competitor capacity decisions; (v) the Company’s ability to timely and effectively prioritize its initiatives and related expenditures and its ability to timely and effectively implement, transition, and maintain the necessary information technology systems and infrastructure to support its initiatives; (vi) the Company’s dependence on third parties to assist with implementation of certain of its initiatives; (vii) the impact of governmental regulations on the Company’s operations; and (viii) other factors, as described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
Three months ended
March 31,
Percent
2010 2009 Change
OPERATING REVENUES:
Passenger $ 2,495 $ 2,252 10.8
Freight 30 30 -
Other 105 75 40.0
Total operating revenues 2,630 2,357 11.6
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages, and benefits 864 836 3.3
Fuel and oil 821 698 17.6
Maintenance materials and repairs 166 184 (9.8)
Aircraft rentals 47 45 4.4
Landing fees and other rentals 190 166 14.5
Depreciation and amortization 154 150 2.7
Other operating expenses 334 328 1.8
Total operating expenses 2,576 2,407 7.0
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) 54 (50) n.a.
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
Interest expense 41 44 (6.8)
Capitalized interest (5) (6) (16.7)
Interest income (3) (4) (25.0)
Other losses, net 4 23 n.a.
Total other expenses 37 57 n.a.
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES 17 (107) n.a.
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES 6 (16) n.a.
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 11 $ (91) n.a.
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE:
Basic $ .01 $ (.12)
Diluted $ .01 $ (.12)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic 743 740
Diluted 744 740
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED AMOUNTS TO NON-GAAP ITEMS
(SEE NOTE REGARDING USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES)
(in millions, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Percent
2010 2009 Change
Fuel and oil expense - unhedged $ 730 $ 552
Less: Fuel hedge losses included in fuel and oil
expense 91 146
Fuel and oil expense - GAAP $ 821 $ 698 17.6
Add/(Deduct): Net impact from fuel contracts (1) (48) (81)
Fuel and oil expense - economic $ 773 $ 617 25.3
Operating income (loss), as reported $ 54 $ (50)
Add/(Deduct): Net impact from fuel contracts (1) 48 81
Operating income - non-GAAP $ 102 $ 31 229.0
Other losses, net, as reported $ 4 $ 23
Add/(Deduct): Net impact from fuel contracts (1) 27 10
Other losses, net, non-GAAP $ 31 $ 33 (6.1)
Net income (loss), as reported $ 11 $ (91)
Add/(Deduct): Net impact from fuel contracts (1) 21 71
Income tax impact of fuel contracts (8) -
Net income (loss), non-GAAP $ 24 $ (20) n.a.
Net income (loss) per share, diluted, as reported $ .01 $ (.12)
Add/(Deduct): Net impact from fuel contracts .02 .09
Net income (loss) per share, diluted, non-GAAP $ .03 $ (.03) n.a.
Operating expense per ASM (cents) 11.39 9.96
Deduct: Fuel expense divided by ASMs (3.63) (2.89)
Operating expense per ASM, excluding fuel (cents) 7.76 7.07 9.8
(1) See Reconciliation of Impact from Fuel Contracts
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
RECONCILIATION OF IMPACT FROM FUEL CONTRACTS
(SEE NOTE REGARDING USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES)
(in millions)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2010 2009
Fuel & Oil Expense
Add/(Deduct): Reclassification between Fuel & Oil and Other
(gains)
losses, net, associated with current period settled
contracts $ 4 $ (15)
Add/(Deduct): Contracts settling in the current period, but
for which gains
and/or (losses) have been recognized in a prior period* (52) (62)
Add/(Deduct): Contracts settling in a prior period, but for
which the
underlying hedged fuel has been consumed in the current
period - (4)
Impact from fuel contracts to Fuel & Oil Expense $ (48) $ (81)
Operating Income
Add/(Deduct): Reclassification between Fuel & Oil and Other
(gains)
losses, net, associated with current period settled
contracts $ (4) $ 15
Add/(Deduct): Contracts settling in the current period, but
for which gains
and/or (losses) have been recognized in a prior period* 52 62
Add/(Deduct): Contracts settling in a prior period, but for
which the
underlying hedged fuel has been consumed in the current
period - 4
Impact from fuel contracts to Operating Income $ 48 $ 81
Other (gains) losses
Add/(Deduct): Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts
settling in future periods $ 27 $ 10
Add/(Deduct): Ineffectiveness from fuel hedges settling in
future periods 4 (15)
Add/(Deduct): Reclassification between Fuel & Oil and Other
(gains)
losses, net, associated with current period settled
contracts (4) 15
Impact from fuel contracts to Other losses $ 27 $ 10
Net Income
Add/(Deduct): Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts
settling in future periods $ (27) $ (10)
Add/(Deduct): Ineffectiveness from fuel hedges settling in
future periods (4) 15
Add/(Deduct): Other net impact of fuel contracts settling in
the
current or a prior period (excluding reclassifications) 52 66
Impact from fuel contracts to Net income ** $ 21 $ 71
* As a result of prior hedge ineffectiveness and/or contracts marked to market
through earnings
** Excludes income tax impact of unrealized items
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
COMPARATIVE CONSOLIDATED OPERATING STATISTICS
(unaudited)
Three months ended
March 31,
2010 2009 Change
Revenue passengers carried 19,976,835 19,759,690 1.1%
Enplaned passengers 23,694,464 23,049,990 2.8%
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (000s) 17,161,713 16,891,629 1.6%
Available seat miles (ASMs) (000s) 22,619,460 24,171,675 (6.4)%
Load factor 75.9% 69.9% 6.0 pts.
Average length of passenger haul (miles) 859 855 0.5%
Average aircraft stage length (miles) 633 635 (0.3)%
Trips flown 261,892 279,135 (6.2)%
Average passenger fare $124.90 $113.97 9.6%
Passenger revenue yield per RPM (cents) 14.54 13.33 9.1%
Operating revenue yield per ASM (cents) 11.63 9.75 19.3%
CASM, GAAP (cents) 11.39 9.96 14.4%
CASM, GAAP excluding fuel (cents) 7.76 7.07 9.8%
CASM, excluding special items (cents) 11.18 9.62 16.2%
CASM, excluding fuel and special items (cents) 7.76 7.07 9.8%
Fuel costs per gallon, including fuel tax
(unhedged) $2.21 $1.57 40.8%
Fuel costs per gallon, including fuel tax
(GAAP) $2.49 $1.99 25.1%
Fuel costs per gallon, including fuel tax
(economic) $2.34 $1.76 33.0%
Fuel consumed, in gallons (millions) 329 349 (5.7)%
Active fulltime equivalent Employees 34,637 35,518 (2.5)%
Aircraft in service at period-end 541 539 0.4%
CASM (unit costs) - Operating expenses per ASM
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(in millions)
(unaudited)
March 31, December 31,
2010 2009
(As adjusted)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,110 $ 1,114
Short-term investments 1,663 1,479
Accounts and other receivables 235 169
Inventories of parts and supplies, at cost 227 221
Deferred income taxes 291 291
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 95 84
Total current assets 3,621 3,358
Property and equipment, at cost:
Flight equipment 13,824 13,719
Ground property and equipment 1,965 1,922
Deposits on flight equipment purchase contracts 234 247
16,023 15,888
Less allowance for depreciation and amortization 5,402 5,254
10,621 10,634
Other assets 288 277
$ 14,530 $ 14,269
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 690 $ 746
Accrued liabilities 657 715
Air traffic liability 1,400 1,044
Current maturities of long-term debt 170 190
Total current liabilities 2,917 2,695
Long-term debt less current maturities 3,305 3,325
Deferred income taxes 2,250 2,200
Deferred gains from sale and leaseback of aircraft 98 102
Other noncurrent liabilities 423 493
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock 808 808
Capital in excess of par value 1,219 1,216
Retained earnings 4,973 4,971
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (518) (578)
Treasury stock, at cost (945) (963)
Total stockholders' equity 5,537 5,454
$ 14,530 $ 14,269
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
(unaudited)
Three months ended
March 31,
2010 2009
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss) $ 11 $ (91)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 154 150
Unrealized loss on fuel derivative instruments 21 70
Deferred income taxes 12 (21)
Amortization of deferred gains on sale and
leaseback of aircraft (3) (3)
Share-based compensation expense 3 3
Excess tax benefits from share-based
compensation arrangements 2 3
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables (67) (22)
Other current assets (18) 10
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (85) -
Air traffic liability 356 288
Cash collateral received from (provided to) fuel
derivative counterparties 5 (60)
Other, net (18) (41)
Net cash provided by operating activities 373 286
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment, net (139) (85)
Purchases of short-term investments (1,380) (1,697)
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments 1,197 1,144
Net cash used in investing activities (322) (638)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale and leaseback transactions - 173
Proceeds from Employee stock plans 12 4
Payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations (60) (35)
Payments of cash dividends (7) (7)
Excess tax benefits (obligations) from share-based
compensation arrangements (2) (3)
Other, net 2 (3)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (55) 129
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (4) (223)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 1,114 1,368
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 1,110 $ 1,145
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
BOEING 737-700 DELIVERY SCHEDULE
AS OF APRIL 21, 2010
Purchase
Firm Options Rights Total
2010 10 10
2011 10 4 14
2012 13 10 23
2013 19 4 23
2014 13 7 20
2015 14 3 17
2016 12 11 23
2017 17 17
Through 2018 54 54
Total 91 56 54 201
NOTE REGARDING USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). These GAAP financial statements include unrealized non-cash adjustments and reclassifications, which can be significant, as a result of accounting requirements and elections made under accounting pronouncements relating to derivatives instruments and hedging.
The Company also provides financial information included in this press release that was not prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to the information prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company provides supplemental non-GAAP financial information that it sometimes refers to as “economic”, which the Company’s management utilizes to evaluate its ongoing financial performance and the Company believes provides greater transparency to investors as supplemental information to its GAAP results. The Company’s economic financial results differ from GAAP results in that they only include the actual cash settlements from fuel hedge contracts—all reflected within Fuel and oil expense in the period of settlement. Thus, Fuel and oil expense on an economic basis reflects the Company’s actual net cash outlays for Fuel during the applicable period, inclusive of settled fuel derivative contracts. Any net premium costs paid related to option contracts are reflected as a component of Other (gains) losses, net, for both GAAP and non-GAAP purposes. These economic results provide a better measure of the impact of the Company’s fuel hedges on its operating performance and liquidity since they exclude the unrealized, non-cash adjustments and reclassifications that are recorded in GAAP results in accordance with accounting pronouncements relating to derivatives instruments and hedging, and they reflect all cash settlements related to fuel derivative contracts within Fuel and oil expense. This enables the Company’s management, as well as investors, to consistently assess its operating performance on a year-over-year or quarter-over-quarter basis after considering all programs in place to curtail fuel expense. However, because these measures are not determined in accordance with GAAP, such measures are susceptible to varying calculations and not all companies calculate the measures in the same manner. As a result, the aforementioned measures, as presented, may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
Further information on (i) the Company’s fuel hedging program, (ii) the requirements and accounting associated with accounting for derivative instruments, and (iii) the causes of hedge ineffectiveness and/or mark-to-market gains or losses from derivative instruments is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
SOURCE Southwest Airlines
Released April 22, 2010