10-Q: Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
Published on July 20, 2007
UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
(Mark
One)
þ
|
QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF
1934
|
|
For
the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007
or
|
¨
|
TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF
1934
|
|
For
the transition period from ________ to
________
|
Commission
File No. 1-7259

Southwest
Airlines Co.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
TEXAS
|
74-1563240
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of
|
(IRS
Employer
|
incorporation
or organization)
|
Identification
No.)
|
P.O.
Box 36611, Dallas, Texas
|
75235-1611
|
(Address
of principal executive offices)
|
(Zip
Code)
|
Registrant's
telephone number, including area code: (214)
792-4000
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for
the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of
“accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act.
Large
accelerated filer þ Accelerated
filer ¨ Non-accelerated
filer ¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes ¨No þ
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common
stock, as of the latest practicable date.
|
Number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the close of business
on July
17, 2007:
|
747,315,847
1
SOUTHWEST
AIRLINES CO.
FORM
10-Q
SOUTHWEST
AIRLINES CO.
FORM
10-Q
Part
I
- FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item
1. Financial Statements
Southwest
Airlines Co.
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(in
millions)
(unaudited)
June
30, 2007
|
December
31, 2006
|
|||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Current
assets:
|
||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ |
1,605
|
$ |
1,390
|
||||
Short-term
investments
|
509
|
369
|
||||||
Accounts
and other receivables
|
321
|
241
|
||||||
Inventories
of parts and supplies, at cost
|
182
|
181
|
||||||
Fuel
derivative contracts
|
633
|
369
|
||||||
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
56
|
51
|
||||||
Total
current assets
|
3,306
|
2,601
|
||||||
Property
and equipment, at cost:
|
||||||||
Flight
equipment
|
12,330
|
11,769
|
||||||
Ground
property and equipment
|
1,423
|
1,356
|
||||||
Deposits
on flight equipment purchase contracts
|
741
|
734
|
||||||
14,494
|
13,859
|
|||||||
Less
allowance for depreciation and amortization
|
4,007
|
3,765
|
||||||
10,487
|
10,094
|
|||||||
Other
assets
|
1,060
|
765
|
||||||
$ |
14,853
|
$ |
13,460
|
|||||
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
||||||||
Current
liabilities:
|
||||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$ |
746
|
$ |
643
|
||||
Accrued
liabilities
|
2,094
|
1,323
|
||||||
Air
traffic liability
|
1,122
|
799
|
||||||
Current
maturities of long-term debt
|
123
|
122
|
||||||
Total
current liabilities
|
4,085
|
2,887
|
||||||
Long-term
debt less current maturities
|
1,518
|
1,567
|
||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
2,328
|
2,104
|
||||||
Deferred
gains from sale and leaseback of aircraft
|
113
|
120
|
||||||
Other
deferred liabilities
|
382
|
333
|
||||||
Stockholders'
equity:
|
||||||||
Common
stock
|
808
|
808
|
||||||
Capital
in excess of par value
|
1,167
|
1,142
|
||||||
Retained
earnings
|
4,534
|
4,307
|
||||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
752
|
582
|
||||||
Treasury
stock, at cost
|
(834 | ) | (390 | ) | ||||
Total
stockholders' equity
|
6,427
|
6,449
|
||||||
$ |
14,853
|
$ |
13,460
|
|||||
See
accompanying notes.
|
Southwest
Airlines Co.
Condensed
Consolidated Statement of Income
(in
millions, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
Three
months ended June 30,
|
Six
months ended June 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||||||
OPERATING
REVENUES:
|
||||||||||||||||
Passenger
|
$ |
2,475
|
$ |
2,362
|
$ |
4,587
|
$ |
4,300
|
||||||||
Freight
|
33
|
38
|
63
|
74
|
||||||||||||
Other
|
75
|
49
|
131
|
95
|
||||||||||||
Total
operating revenues
|
2,583
|
2,449
|
4,781
|
4,469
|
||||||||||||
OPERATING
EXPENSES:
|
||||||||||||||||
Salaries,
wages, and benefits
|
814
|
786
|
1,581
|
1,502
|
||||||||||||
Fuel
and oil
|
607
|
518
|
1,171
|
1,019
|
||||||||||||
Maintenance
materials and repairs
|
154
|
119
|
291
|
224
|
||||||||||||
Aircraft
rentals
|
40
|
39
|
79
|
80
|
||||||||||||
Landing
fees and other rentals
|
140
|
126
|
276
|
246
|
||||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
137
|
127
|
272
|
250
|
||||||||||||
Other
operating expenses
|
363
|
332
|
699
|
648
|
||||||||||||
Total
operating expenses
|
2,255
|
2,047
|
4,369
|
3,969
|
||||||||||||
OPERATING
INCOME
|
328
|
402
|
412
|
500
|
||||||||||||
OTHER
EXPENSES (INCOME):
|
||||||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
29
|
34
|
58
|
68
|
||||||||||||
Capitalized
interest
|
(14 | ) | (14 | ) | (27 | ) | (26 | ) | ||||||||
Interest
income
|
(14 | ) | (21 | ) | (27 | ) | (39 | ) | ||||||||
Other
(gains) losses, net
|
(120 | ) | (112 | ) | (188 | ) | (114 | ) | ||||||||
Total
other expenses (income)
|
(119 | ) | (113 | ) | (184 | ) | (111 | ) | ||||||||
INCOME
BEFORE INCOME TAXES
|
447
|
515
|
596
|
611
|
||||||||||||
PROVISION
FOR INCOME TAXES
|
169
|
182
|
225
|
217
|
||||||||||||
NET
INCOME
|
$ |
278
|
$ |
333
|
$ |
371
|
$ |
394
|
||||||||
NET
INCOME PER SHARE, BASIC
|
$
.36
|
$
.42
|
$
.48
|
$
.49
|
||||||||||||
NET
INCOME PER SHARE, DILUTED
|
$
.36
|
$
.40
|
$
.47
|
$
.47
|
||||||||||||
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE SHARES
|
||||||||||||||||
OUTSTANDING:
|
||||||||||||||||
Basic
|
769
|
798
|
778
|
800
|
||||||||||||
Diluted
|
780
|
825
|
790
|
831
|
||||||||||||
See
accompanying notes.
|
Southwest
Airlines Co.
Condensed
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(in
millions)
(unaudited)
Three
months ended June 30,
|
Six
months ended June 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
$ |
278
|
$ |
333
|
$ |
371
|
$ |
394
|
||||||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to
|
||||||||||||||||
cash
provided by operating activities:
|
||||||||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
137
|
127
|
272
|
250
|
||||||||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
125
|
179
|
167
|
214
|
||||||||||||
Amortization
of deferred gains on sale and
|
||||||||||||||||
leaseback
of aircraft
|
(4 | ) | (4 | ) | (7 | ) | (8 | ) | ||||||||
Share-based
compensation expense
|
13
|
23
|
26
|
45
|
||||||||||||
Excess
tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
|
1
|
(2 | ) | (29 | ) | (30 | ) | |||||||||
Changes
in certain assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||||||||||
Accounts
and other receivables
|
(43 | ) | (18 | ) | (80 | ) | (31 | ) | ||||||||
Other
current assets
|
(92 | ) | (88 | ) | (148 | ) | (73 | ) | ||||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
447
|
255
|
830
|
571
|
||||||||||||
Air
traffic liability
|
112
|
29
|
322
|
309
|
||||||||||||
Other,
net
|
6
|
(2 | ) | (127 | ) | (58 | ) | |||||||||
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
980
|
832
|
1,597
|
1,583
|
||||||||||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||||||||||
Purchases
of property and equipment, net
|
(338 | ) | (404 | ) | (663 | ) | (665 | ) | ||||||||
Purchases
of short-term investments
|
(1,158 | ) | (1,221 | ) | (2,072 | ) | (2,071 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds
from sales of short-term investments
|
963
|
1,145
|
1,931
|
1,926
|
||||||||||||
Proceeds
from ATA Airlines, Inc. debtor in possession loan
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
20
|
||||||||||||
Other,
net
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
||||||||||||
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(533 | ) | (480 | ) | (804 | ) | (789 | ) | ||||||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||||||||||
Proceeds
from Employee stock plans
|
14
|
29
|
92
|
136
|
||||||||||||
Payments
of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
|
(6 | ) | (99 | ) | (15 | ) | (136 | ) | ||||||||
Payments
of cash dividends
|
(3 | ) | (4 | ) | (11 | ) | (11 | ) | ||||||||
Repurchase
of common stock
|
(464 | ) | (289 | ) | (674 | ) | (503 | ) | ||||||||
Excess
tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
|
(1 | ) |
2
|
29
|
30
|
|||||||||||
Other,
net
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
||||||||||||
Net
cash used in financing activities
|
(460 | ) | (360 | ) | (578 | ) | (482 | ) | ||||||||
NET
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
|
||||||||||||||||
AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
(13 | ) | (8 | ) |
215
|
312
|
||||||||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT
|
||||||||||||||||
BEGINNING
OF PERIOD
|
1,618
|
2,600
|
1,390
|
2,280
|
||||||||||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
||||||||||||||||
AT
END OF PERIOD
|
$ |
1,605
|
$ |
2,592
|
$ |
1,605
|
$ |
2,592
|
||||||||
CASH
PAYMENTS FOR:
|
||||||||||||||||
Interest,
net of amount capitalized
|
$ |
10
|
$ |
18
|
$ |
29
|
$ |
38
|
||||||||
Income
taxes
|
$ |
3
|
$ |
3
|
$ |
4
|
$ |
3
|
||||||||
See
accompanying notes.
|
Southwest
Airlines Co.
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
1. BASIS
OF PRESENTATION
The
accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Southwest
Airlines Co. (Company or Southwest) have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim
financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article
10 of
Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the
information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States for complete financial statements. The unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements for the interim periods ended
June
30, 2007 and 2006, include all adjustments which are, in the opinion of
management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim
periods. This includes all normal and recurring adjustments, but does
not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted
accounting principles for complete financial statements. Financial
results for the Company, and airlines in general, are seasonal in
nature. Historically, the Company’s second and third fiscal quarters
have been more profitable than its first and fourth fiscal
quarters. However, as a result of the extensive nature of the
Company’s fuel hedging program, the volatility of commodities used by the
Company for hedging jet fuel, and the unique accounting requirements of SFAS
133, as amended, the Company has experienced significant volatility in its
results in all fiscal periods. See Note 5 for further
information. Operating results for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2007, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be
expected for the year ended December 31, 2007. For further
information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes
thereto included in the Southwest Airlines Co. Annual Report on Form 10-K
for
the year ended December 31, 2006.
Certain
prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current
presentation. In the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of
Cash Flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, “Purchases of
short-term investments” and “Proceeds from sales of short-term investments” are
shown as gross amounts instead of being netted into a single line item within
investing activities.
2. SHARE-BASED
COMPENSATION
The
Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No.
123R,
“Share-Based Payment,” which was adopted January 1, 2006, utilizing the modified
retrospective transition method.
Stock
Option Plans
The
Company has stock option plans covering Employees subject to collective
bargaining agreements (collective bargaining plans) and stock plans covering
Employees not subject to collective bargaining agreements (other Employee
plans). None of the collective bargaining plans were required to be
approved by Shareholders. Options granted to Employees under
collective bargaining plans are non-qualified, granted at or above the fair
market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant, and generally
have terms ranging from six to twelve years. Neither
Executive Officers nor members of the Company’s Board of Directors are eligible
to participate in any of these collective bargaining plans. Options
granted to Employees through other Employee plans are both qualified as
incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
non-qualified stock options, granted at the fair market value of the Company’s
Common Stock on the date of grant, and have ten-year terms. All of
the options included in the Company’s definition of other Employee plans have
been approved by Shareholders, except the plan covering non-management,
non-contract Employees, which had options outstanding to purchase 5.3
million shares of the Company’s Common Stock as of June 30, 2007. Although
the Company does not have a formal policy per se, upon option exercise, the
Company will typically issue Treasury stock, to the extent such shares are
available.
Vesting
terms for the collective bargaining plans differ based on the grant made,
and
have ranged in length from immediate vesting to vesting periods in accordance
with the period covered by the respective collective bargaining
agreement. For other Employee plans, as defined, options vest and
become fully exercisable over three, five, or ten years of continued employment,
depending upon the grant type. For grants in any of the Company’s
plans that are subject to graded vesting over a service period, we recognize
expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the
entire award. None of the Company’s grants include performance-based
or market-based vesting conditions, as defined.
The
fair
value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using a modified
Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option
valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of short-term
traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input
of somewhat subjective assumptions including expected stock price
volatility. During the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006,
there were .2 million and .4 million stock options granted under the Company’s
plans related to collective bargaining agreements, respectively. The
fair value of options granted under these plans during the three months ended
June 30, 2007, ranged from $3.36 to $3.93, with a weighted-average fair value
of
$3.60. The fair value of options granted under these plans during the
three months ended June 30, 2006, ranged from $4.17 to $5.89, with a
weighted-average fair value of $4.64. Stock options granted from
other Employee plans during the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
were
immaterial.
The
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months
ended
June 30, 2007 and 2006 reflects share-based compensation cost of $13 million
and
$23 million, respectively. The total tax benefit recognized from
share-based compensation arrangements for the three months ended June 30,
2007
and 2006, was $4 million and $6 million, respectively. The Company
currently estimates that share-based compensation expense will be approximately
$41 million for the full year 2007, before income taxes and
profitsharing.
As
of
June 30, 2007, there was $51 million of total unrecognized compensation cost
related to share-based compensation arrangements, which is expected to be
recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years. The total
recognition period for the remaining unrecognized compensation cost is
approximately nine years; however, the majority of this cost will be recognized
over the next two years, in accordance with vesting provisions.
Employee
Stock Purchase Plan
Under
the
amended 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), which has been approved
by
Shareholders, the Company is authorized to issue up to a remaining balance
of
7.1 million shares of Common Stock to Employees of the Company. These
shares may be issued at a price equal to 90 percent of the market value at
the
end of each monthly purchase period. Common Stock purchases are paid
for through periodic payroll deductions. For the three months ended
June 30, 2007 and 2006, participants under the plan purchased .3 million
shares
and .3 million shares at average prices of $13.02 and $14.99,
respectively. The weighted-average fair value of each purchase right
under the ESPP granted for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006,
which
is equal to the ten percent discount from the market value of the Common
Stock
at the end of each monthly purchase period, was $1.45 and $1.67,
respectively.
3. DIVIDENDS
During
the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007, dividends
of
$.0045 per share were declared on the 787 million shares and 764 million
shares
of Common Stock then outstanding, respectively. During the three
month periods ended March 31, 2006 and June 30, 2006, dividends of $.0045
per
share were declared on the 803 million shares and 798 million shares of Common
Stock then outstanding, respectively.
4. NET
INCOME PER SHARE
The
following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income
per
share (in millions except per share amounts):
Three
months ended June 30,
|
Six
months ended June 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||||||
NUMERATOR:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
income available to
|
||||||||||||||||
common
stockholders
|
$ |
278
|
$ |
333
|
$ |
371
|
$ |
394
|
||||||||
DENOMINATOR:
|
||||||||||||||||
Weighted-average
shares
|
||||||||||||||||
outstanding,
basic
|
769
|
798
|
778
|
800
|
||||||||||||
Dilutive
effect of Employee stock
|
||||||||||||||||
options
|
11
|
27
|
12
|
31
|
||||||||||||
Adjusted
weighted-average shares
|
||||||||||||||||
outstanding,
diluted
|
780
|
825
|
790
|
831
|
||||||||||||
NET
INCOME PER SHARE:
|
||||||||||||||||
Basic
|
$
.36
|
$
.42
|
$
.48
|
$
.49
|
||||||||||||
Diluted
|
$
.36
|
$
.40
|
$
.47
|
$
.47
|
5. FINANCIAL
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
Fuel
Contracts
Airline
operators are inherently dependent upon energy to operate and, therefore,
are
significantly impacted by changes in jet fuel prices. Jet fuel and
oil consumed for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 represented
approximately 26.9 percent and 25.3 percent of Southwest’s operating expenses,
respectively. In both years, jet fuel costs were the second largest
expense incurred by the Company, following only salaries, wages, and
benefits. The Company utilizes financial derivative instruments to
decrease its exposure to jet fuel price increases in its attempt to acquire
jet
fuel at the lowest possible cost. Because jet fuel is not traded on
an organized futures exchange, liquidity for hedging is limited; however,
the
Company has found commodities for hedging of jet fuel costs, primarily crude
oil, and refined products such as heating oil. The Company does not
purchase or hold any derivative financial instruments for trading
purposes.
The
Company has utilized financial derivative instruments for both short-term
and
long-term time frames. In addition to the significant protective fuel derivative
positions the Company had in place during the first six months of 2007, the
Company also has significant future positions. The Company currently
has a mixture of purchased call options, collar structures, and fixed price
swap
agreements in place to provide protection for approximately 90 percent of
its
remaining 2007 total anticipated jet fuel requirements at average crude oil
equivalent prices of approximately $51 per barrel, and has also added refinery
margins on most of those positions. Based on current growth plans,
the Company is also approximately 65 percent protected for 2008 at approximately
$49 per barrel, approximately 55 percent protected for 2009 at approximately
$51
per barrel, over 25 percent protected for 2010 at approximately $63 per barrel,
and has modest positions in 2011 and 2012.
Upon
proper qualification, the Company accounts for its fuel derivative instruments
as cash flow hedges, as defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as
amended (SFAS 133). Under SFAS 133, all derivatives are reflected at fair
value
in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, and all
derivatives designated as hedges that meet certain requirements are granted
special hedge accounting treatment. Generally, utilizing the special
hedge accounting, all periodic changes in fair value of the derivatives
designated as hedges that are considered to be effective, as defined, are
recorded in "Accumulated other comprehensive income" until the underlying
jet
fuel is consumed. See Note 6 for further information on Accumulated
other comprehensive income. The Company is exposed to the risk that
periodic changes will not be effective, as defined, or that the derivatives
will
no longer qualify for special hedge accounting. Ineffectiveness, as
defined, results when the change in the fair value of the derivative instrument
exceeds the change in the value of the Company’s expected future cash outlay to
purchase and consume jet fuel. To the extent that the periodic
changes in the fair value of the derivatives are not effective, that
ineffectiveness is recorded immediately to Other gains and losses in the
income
statement. Likewise, if a hedge ceases to qualify for hedge
accounting, any change in the fair value of derivative instruments since
the
last period is recorded to Other gains and losses in the income statement
in the
period of the change.
Ineffectiveness
is inherent in hedging jet fuel with derivative positions based in other
crude
oil related commodities, especially given the magnitude of the current fair
market value of the Company’s fuel derivatives and the recent volatility in the
prices of refined products. Due to the volatility in markets for
crude oil and related products, the Company is unable to predict the amount
of
ineffectiveness each period, including the loss of hedge accounting, which
could
be determined on a derivative by derivative basis or in the aggregate for
an
entire commodity. This may result, and has resulted, in increased
volatility in the Company’s results. The significant increase in the
amount of hedge ineffectiveness and unrealized gains and losses on derivative
contracts settling in future periods recorded in recent years has been due
to a
number of factors. These factors included: the significant
fluctuation in energy prices, the number of derivative positions the Company
holds, significant weather events that have affected refinery capacity and
the
production of refined products, and the volatility of the different types
of
products the Company uses for protection. The number of instances in
which the Company has discontinued hedge accounting for specific hedges has
increased recently, primarily due to these reasons. In these cases,
the Company has determined that the hedges will not regain effectiveness
in the
time period remaining until settlement and therefore must discontinue special
hedge accounting, as defined by SFAS 133. In addition, the Company
can no longer show that any unleaded gasoline-based derivative will be highly
effective in offsetting future cash flows associated with the purchase of
jet
fuel, so the Company cannot utilize special hedge accounting for any unleaded
gasoline-based derivatives. When the Company cannot utilize special
hedge accounting, any changes in fair value of the derivative instruments
are
marked to market through earnings in the period of change. However,
any amounts that have been recorded in "Accumulated other comprehensive income"
at the time special hedge accounting is discontinued, are required to remain
in
"Accumulated other comprehensive income" until the time that the original
forecasted transaction affects earnings (i.e., the consumption of jet fuel
occurs). All cash flows associated with the purchase of derivative
instruments (such as call options and collar structures) are classified as
operating cash flows.
Even
though derivatives may not meet the strict requirements to qualify for SFAS
133
special hedge accounting, the Company may continue to hold the instruments
because it believes they continue to represent good “economic hedges” in its
goal to minimize jet fuel costs. As previously mentioned, there is
not a reliable forward derivatives market for jet fuel, so the Company is
subject to the inherent ineffectiveness of using other commodities in hedging,
which the Company believes is a better alternative than not hedging at
all. As the fair value of the Company’s hedge positions increases in
amount, there is a higher degree of probability that there will be continued
variability recorded in the income statement and that the amount of hedge
ineffectiveness and unrealized gains or losses for changes in value of the
derivatives recorded in future periods will be material. This is
primarily due to the fact that small differences in the correlation of crude
oil
related products are leveraged over large dollar volumes.
Net
gains
and/or losses on derivatives that are effective, as defined in SFAS 133,
are
reflected as a component of Fuel and oil expense in the unaudited Condensed
Consolidated Statement of Income. Ineffectiveness, as defined, gains
and losses from derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting,
and all premium costs associated with purchased option and collar contracts,
are
reflected in Other (gains) losses, net. The following table presents
the location of (gains) and/or losses on derivative instruments for the three
and six months ended June 30, 2007 (in millions).
Three
months ended June 30,
|
|||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||
Fuel
hedge (gains) included in Fuel and oil expense
|
$ | (173 | ) | $ | (198 | ) | |||
Mark-to-market
impact from fuel contracts settling in future
|
|||||||||
periods
- included in Other (gains) losses, net
|
(129 | ) | (88 | ) | |||||
Ineffectiveness
from fuel hedges settling in future periods -
|
|||||||||
included
in Other (gains) losses, net
|
4
|
(7 | ) | ||||||
Realized
ineffectiveness and mark-to-market (gains) or
|
|||||||||
losses
- included in Other (gains) losses, net
|
(9 | ) | (28 | ) | |||||
Premium
cost of fuel contracts included in Other (gains) losses,
net
|
14
|
12
|
Six
months ended June 30,
|
|||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||
Fuel
hedge (gains) included in Fuel and oil expense
|
$ | (251 | ) | $ | (314 | ) | |||
Mark-to-market
impact from fuel contracts settling in future
|
|||||||||
periods
- included in Other (gains) losses, net
|
(200 | ) | (130 | ) | |||||
Ineffectiveness
from fuel hedges settling in future periods -
|
|||||||||
included
in Other (gains) losses, net
|
9
|
4
|
|||||||
Realized
ineffectiveness and mark-to-market (gains) or
|
|||||||||
losses
- included in Other (gains) losses, net
|
(26 | ) | (10 | ) | |||||
Premium
cost of fuel contracts included in Other (gains) losses,
net
|
29
|
23
|
Also,
the
following table presents the fair values of the Company’s remaining derivative
instruments, receivable amounts from settled/expired derivative contracts,
and
the amounts of unrealized gains, net of tax, in Accumulated other comprehensive
income related to fuel hedges (in millions).
June
30,
|
December
31,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||
Fair
value of current fuel contracts (Fuel derivative
contracts)
|
$ |
633
|
$ |
369
|
||||
Fair
value of noncurrent fuel contracts (Other assets)
|
922
|
630
|
||||||
Due
from third parties for settled fuel contracts (Accounts
|
||||||||
and
other receivables)
|
67
|
42
|
||||||
Unrealized
gains from fuel hedges, net of tax (Accumulated other
|
||||||||
comprehensive
income)
|
754
|
584
|
The
fair
value of derivative instruments, depending on the type of instrument, was
determined by the use of present value methods or standard option valuation
models with assumptions about commodity prices based on those observed in
underlying markets. Included in the above $754 million unrealized
gains from fuel hedges are approximately $322 million in net unrealized gains
that are expected to be realized in earnings during the twelve months following
June 30, 2007.
Interest
Rate Swaps
Prior
to
2007, the Company had entered into interest rate swap agreements relating
to its
$350 million 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2014 and its $385 million 6.5%
senior unsecured notes due 2012. During first quarter 2007, the Company executed
interest rate swap agreements relating to its $300 million 5.125% senior
unsecured notes due 2017 and its $100 million 7.375% senior unsecured notes
due
2027. Under each of these interest rate swap agreements, the Company
pays the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a margin every six months
on
the notional amount of the debt, and receives the fixed stated rate of the
notes
every six months until the date the notes become due.
The
Company’s interest rate swap agreements qualify as fair value hedges, as defined
by SFAS 133. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreements,
which are adjusted regularly, are recorded in the Company’s balance sheet as an
asset or liability, as necessary, with a corresponding adjustment to the
carrying value of the long-term debt. The fair value of the interest
rate swap agreements, excluding accrued interest, at June 30, 2007, was a
liability of approximately $63 million. This entire amount is
recorded in Other deferred liabilities in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated
Balance Sheet. In accordance with fair value hedging, the offsetting
entry is an adjustment to decrease the carrying value of long-term
debt.
6. COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME
Comprehensive
income included changes in the fair value of certain financial derivative
instruments, which qualify for hedge accounting, and unrealized gains and
losses
on certain investments. Comprehensive income totaled $314 million for
the three months ended June 30, 2007 and $428 million for the three months
ended
June 30, 2006. For the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006,
comprehensive income totaled $541 million and $606 million,
respectively. The differences between net income and comprehensive
income for each of these periods were as follows (in millions):
Three
months ended June 30,
|
|||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||
Net
income
|
$ |
278
|
$ |
333
|
|||||
Unrealized
gain on derivative instruments,
|
|||||||||
net
of deferred taxes of $22 and $51
|
35
|
95
|
|||||||
Other,
net of deferred taxes of $1 and $0
|
1
|
-
|
|||||||
Total
other comprehensive income
|
36
|
95
|
|||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
$ |
314
|
$ |
428
|
Six
months ended June 30,
|
|||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||
Net
income
|
$ |
371
|
$ |
394
|
|||||
Unrealized
gain on derivative instruments,
|
|||||||||
net
of deferred taxes of $105 and $122
|
170
|
211
|
|||||||
Other,
net of deferred taxes of $0 and $0
|
-
|
1
|
|||||||
Total
other comprehensive income
|
170
|
212
|
|||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
$ |
541
|
$ |
606
|
A
rollforward of the amounts included in Accumulated other comprehensive income,
net of taxes, is shown below (in millions):
Accumulated
|
|||||||||
Fuel
|
other
|
||||||||
hedge
|
comprehensive
|
||||||||
derivatives
|
Other
|
income
(loss)
|
|||||||
Balance
at March 31, 2007
|
$ |
719
|
$ | (3 | ) | $ |
716
|
||
Second
quarter 2007 changes in value
|
131
|
1
|
132
|
||||||
Reclassification
to earnings
|
(96 | ) |
-
|
(96 | ) | ||||
Balance
at June 30, 2007
|
$ |
754
|
$ | (2 | ) | $ |
752
|
Accumulated
|
||||||
Fuel
|
other
|
|||||
hedge
|
comprehensive
|
|||||
derivatives
|
Other
|
income
(loss)
|
||||
Balance
at December 31, 2006
|
$ 584
|
$ (2
|
) |
$ 582
|
||
2007
changes in value
|
305
|
-
|
305
|
|||
Reclassification
to earnings
|
(135
|
) |
-
|
(135
|
) | |
Balance
at June 30, 2007
|
$
754
|
$
(2
|
) |
$ 752
|
7. OTHER
ASSETS AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES (in millions)
June
30,
|
December
31,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||
|
|
|||||||
Noncurrent
fuel hedge contracts, at fair value
|
$ |
922
|
$ |
630
|
||||
Other
|
138
|
135
|
||||||
Other
assets
|
$ |
1,060
|
$ |
765
|
||||
June
30,
|
December
31,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||
Retirement
Plans
|
$ |
226
|
$ |
165
|
||||
Aircraft
Rentals
|
127
|
128
|
||||||
Vacation
Pay
|
160
|
151
|
||||||
Advances
and deposits
|
1,075
|
546
|
||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
127
|
78
|
||||||
Income
Taxes Payable
|
57
|
-
|
||||||
Other
|
322
|
255
|
||||||
Accrued
liabilities
|
$ |
2,094
|
$ |
1,323
|
8. POSTRETIREMENT
BENEFITS
The
following table sets forth the Company’s periodic postretirement benefit cost
for each of the interim periods identified:
Three
months ended June 30,
|
||||||||
(In
millions)
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
|
|
|||||||
Service
cost
|
$ |
3
|
$ |
3
|
||||
Interest
cost
|
2
|
2
|
||||||
Amortization
of prior service cost
|
1
|
1
|
||||||
Net
periodic postretirement benefit cost
|
$ |
6
|
$ |
6
|
Six
months ended June 30,
|
|||||||||
(In
millions)
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
Service
cost
|
$ |
7
|
$ |
7
|
|||||
Interest
cost
|
3
|
3
|
|||||||
Amortization
of prior service cost
|
1
|
1
|
|||||||
Net
periodic postretirement benefit cost
|
$ |
11
|
$ |
11
|
9. CONTINGENCIES
The
Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims arising in the
ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, examinations
by the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS regularly examines the
Company’s federal income tax returns and, in the course thereof, proposes
adjustments to the Company’s federal income tax liability reported on such
returns. It is the Company’s practice to vigorously contest those
proposed adjustments it deems lacking of merit.
The
Company's management does not expect that the outcome in any of its currently
ongoing legal proceedings or the outcome of any proposed adjustments presented
to date by the IRS, individually or collectively, will result in a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations
or
cash flow.
10. RECENT
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In
June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ratified the
Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) consensus on EITF Issue No. 06-3
“How Taxes Collected From Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities
Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net
Presentation)” (EITF 06-3). The scope of EITF 06-3 includes any tax assessed by
a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing
transaction between a seller and a customer, and provides that a company
may
adopt a policy of presenting taxes either gross within revenue or on a net
basis. For any such taxes that are reported on a gross basis, a
company should disclose the amounts of those taxes for each period for which
an
income statement is presented if those amounts are significant. This statement
is effective for financial reports for interim and annual reporting periods
beginning after December 15, 2006. Southwest adopted EITF 06-3 on
January 1, 2007. The Company collects various excise taxes on
ticket sales, which are accounted for on a net basis.
In
July
2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in
Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48), which
clarifies the accounting and disclosure for uncertainty in tax positions,
as
defined. FIN 48 seeks to reduce the diversity in practice associated with
certain aspects of the recognition and measurement related to accounting
for
income taxes. The Company is subject to the provisions of FIN
48 as of January 1, 2007, and has analyzed filing positions in all of
the federal and state jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax
returns, as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions. The
Company has identified its federal tax return and its state tax returns in
California and Texas as “major” tax jurisdictions, as defined. The
only periods subject to examination for the Company’s federal tax return are the
2005 and 2006 tax years. The periods subject to examination for the
Company’s state tax returns in California and Texas are years 2002 through
2006. The Company believes that its income tax filing positions and
deductions will be sustained on audit and does not anticipate any adjustments
that will result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial
condition, results of operations, or cash flow. Therefore, no
reserves for uncertain income tax positions have been
recorded pursuant to FIN 48. In addition, the Company did not
record a cumulative effect adjustment related to the adoption of FIN
48.
The
Company’s policy for recording interest and penalties associated with audits is
to record such items as a component of income before taxes. Penalties
are recorded in Other (gains) losses, net, and interest paid or received
is
recorded in interest expense or interest income, respectively, in the statement
of income. For first half 2007, the Company recorded approximately $1
million in interest income related to the settlement of audits for certain
prior
periods.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (Statement
159). Statement 159 allows entities the option to measure eligible
financial instruments at fair value as of specified dates. Such
election, which may be applied on an instrument by instrument basis, is
typically irrevocable once elected. Statement 159 is effective for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and early application is
allowed
under certain circumstances. The Company has not yet determined the
impact this interpretation will have on our financial position.
Item
2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Comparative
Consolidated Operating Statistics
Relevant
Southwest comparative
operating statistics for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and
2006
are as follows:
Three
months ended June 30,
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
Change
|
||||||||||
Revenue
passengers carried
|
23,442,019
|
21,999,256
|
6.6 | % | ||||||||
Enplaned
passengers
|
26,889,424
|
25,306,858
|
6.3 | % | ||||||||
Revenue
passenger miles (RPMs) (000s)
|
19,018,769
|
17,843,848
|
6.6 | % | ||||||||
Available
seat miles (ASMs) (000s)
|
24,982,676
|
22,883,984
|
9.2 | % | ||||||||
Load
factor
|
76.1 | % | 78.0 | % |
(1.9)
|
pts | ||||||
Average
length of passenger haul (miles)
|
811
|
811
|
-
|
|||||||||
Average
aircraft stage length (miles)
|
630
|
619
|
1.8 | % | ||||||||
Trips
flown
|
290,647
|
270,947
|
7.3 | % | ||||||||
Average
passenger fare
|
$105.60
|
$107.38
|
(1.7 | )% | ||||||||
Passenger
revenue yield per RPM (cents)
|
13.02
|
13.24
|
(1.7 | )% | ||||||||
Operating
revenue yield per ASM (cents)
|
10.34
|
10.70
|
(3.4 | )% | ||||||||
Operating
expenses per ASM (cents)
|
9.03
|
8.95
|
0.9 | % | ||||||||
Operating
expenses per ASM, excluding fuel (cents)
|
6.60
|
6.68
|
(1.2 | )% | ||||||||
Fuel
costs per gallon, excluding fuel tax
|
$1.61
|
$1.50
|
7.3 | % | ||||||||
Fuel
consumed, in gallons (millions)
|
374
|
344
|
8.7 | % | ||||||||
Full-time
equivalent Employees at period-end
|
33,261
|
31,734
|
4.8 | % | ||||||||
Size
of fleet at period-end
|
500
|
462
|
8.2 | % | ||||||||
Six
months ended June 30,
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
Change
|
||||||||||
Revenue
passengers carried
|
43,402,952
|
41,198,739
|
5.4 | % | ||||||||
Enplaned
passengers
|
49,792,497
|
47,322,342
|
5.2 | % | ||||||||
Revenue
passenger miles (RPMs) (000s)
|
35,127,840
|
33,124,345
|
6.0 | % | ||||||||
Available
seat miles (ASMs) (000s)
|
48,661,051
|
44,963,442
|
8.2 | % | ||||||||
Load
factor
|
72.2 | % | 73.7 | % |
(1.5)
|
pts | ||||||
Average
length of passenger haul (miles)
|
809
|
804
|
0.6 | % | ||||||||
Average
aircraft stage length (miles)
|
628
|
618
|
1.6 | % | ||||||||
Trips
flown
|
567,547
|
533,396
|
6.4 | % | ||||||||
Average
passenger fare
|
$105.68
|
$104.38
|
1.2 | % | ||||||||
Passenger
revenue yield per RPM (cents)
|
13.06
|
12.98
|
0.6 | % | ||||||||
Operating
revenue yield per ASM (cents)
|
9.82
|
9.94
|
(1.2 | )% | ||||||||
Operating
expenses per ASM (cents)
|
8.98
|
8.83
|
1.7 | % | ||||||||
Operating
expenses per ASM, excluding fuel (cents)
|
6.57
|
6.56
|
0.2 | % | ||||||||
Fuel
costs per gallon, excluding fuel tax
|
$1.61
|
$1.51
|
6.6 | % | ||||||||
Fuel
consumed, in gallons (millions)
|
726
|
673
|
7.9 | % | ||||||||
Full-time
equivalent Employees at period-end
|
33,261
|
31,734
|
4.8 | % | ||||||||
Size
of fleet at period-end
|
500
|
462
|
8.2 | % |
Material
Changes in Results of Operations
Summary
The
Company’s second quarter 2007 net income of $278 million ($.36 per share,
diluted), represented the Company’s 65th consecutive
quarterly profit. However, this result represented a 16.5 percent
decrease compared to the second quarter 2006 profit of $333 million ($.40
per
share, diluted). The decrease in net income was primarily due to an
18.4 percent decrease in operating profits, as an increase in operating expenses
outpaced an increase in operating revenues versus second quarter
2006. In both second quarter 2007 and second quarter 2006, forward
prices for the commodities Southwest uses for hedging jet fuel increased,
resulting in significant unrealized gains related to the higher fair values
of
these contracts. Primarily as a result of these rising prices for
fuel derivatives that will settle in future periods that were ineffective,
as
defined, or did not qualify for special hedge accounting, the Company recorded
$134 million in gains during second quarter 2007, which are included in Other
(gains) losses. In second quarter 2006, the Company recorded a total
of $123 million in gains associated with fuel derivatives that were ineffective,
as defined, or did not qualify for special hedge accounting. See Note
5 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further
information on the Company’s hedging activities. As a result of a
less favorable fuel hedge position in 2007 versus 2006, our hedging program
resulted in the realization of approximately $173 million in cash settlements
for second quarter 2007 compared to $225 million in cash settlements for
second
quarter 2006. The majority of the $173 million in second quarter 2007
cash settlements were reflected as a reduction to Fuel and oil
expense. However, even with this hedge position, fuel cost per gallon
increased 7.3 percent versus second quarter 2006.
Second
quarter 2007 operating income decreased $74 million, or 18.4 percent, compared
to second quarter 2006. The Company believes operating income
provides a better indication of the Company’s financial performance for second
quarter 2007 and second quarter 2006 than does net income, due to the
adjustments that relate to fuel derivatives expiring in future periods being
included in Other (gains) losses, which is below the operating income line,
in
both periods. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to
the fact that operating expenses grew 10.2 percent, driven by both higher
fuel
costs and higher maintenance expenses, while operating revenues grew only
5.5
percent. Although Passenger revenues increased 4.8 percent, primarily
as a result of a capacity (available seat miles) increase of 9.2 percent,
RPM
yields (passenger revenues divided by revenue passenger miles) declined 1.7
percent as passengers paid less to fly on a per mile basis. In
addition, the Company’s load factor (i.e., the percentage of seats filled)
declined 1.9 points from 78.0 percent in second quarter 2006 to 76.1 percent
in
second quarter 2007. The Company believes the lower RPM yield and
load factor were primarily due to a slowing domestic economy and more aggressive
low-fare competition, which have likely combined to cool the rate of
revenue growth in domestic air travel, compared to the strong revenue
environment experienced during second quarter 2006.
For
the
six months ended June 30, 2007, net income decreased 5.8 percent to $371
million
($.47 per share, diluted), compared to the same 2006 period. Results
in both years were significantly impacted by gains associated with fuel
derivatives that did not qualify for special hedge accounting, as well as
ineffectiveness associated with hedges, as defined. For the six
months ended June 30, 2007, these gains and hedge ineffectiveness totaled
$217
million compared to $136 million for the first half of
2006. Operating income, which excludes these items, was $412 million
for the six months ended June 30, 2007, a decrease of 17.6 percent compared
to
the prior year. Operating expenses grew 10.1 percent, led by a 29.9
percent increase in maintenance expense and a 14.9 percent increase in fuel
expense, while revenues grew only 7.0 percent compared to the first half
of
2006.
Based
on
our current forecast, the Company expects third quarter 2007 capacity to
grow
approximately eight percent versus third quarter 2006. Although
softer revenue trends were consistent throughout second quarter 2007, demand
strengthened somewhat in June, resulting in an all-time Company monthly
record
load factor of 82.1 percent. Traffic trends and bookings thus far in
July are strong, suggesting unit revenue comparisons in third quarter 2007
will
be better year-over-year than second quarter 2007’s performance.
The
Company recently announced a reduction in our expected growth rate for
fourth
quarter 2007 and for full year 2008. The Company now expects to grow
capacity (ASMs) year-over-year by approximately six percent for these periods,
versus its previous expectation of eight percent. A portion of this
growth slowdown will be achieved through changes in the Company’s aircraft
deliveries from Boeing. The Company has an agreement with Boeing to
defer five of its 2008 deliveries (four firm and one option) to firm orders
in
2013, resulting in 29 firm aircraft deliveries from Boeing next
year. In addition to deferring five of the 2008 Boeing deliveries, we
are currently exploring a variety of alternatives to reduce our fleet growth
by
another ten aircraft in 2008, which will bring our 2008 planned additions
to 19
net aircraft. As part of the agreement with Boeing, we have also
agreed to exercise 25 737-700 options (including the one 2008 deferred
option) originally scheduled for 2008 through 2011 for delivery in 2013
and
2014, bringing our firm orders from 2008 through 2014 to 106. In
addition, we have 86 options, with delivery positions available in 2009
through
2012, and 54 purchase rights for delivery through December 31,
2014. See the Company’s revised 737-700 delivery schedule included in
Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities and Commitments.
The Company has also outlined several initiatives that are designed to
improve
future revenues. These include: introduction of an enhanced fare
structure and Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program in fourth quarter 2007;
launching of a new advertising campaign; unveiling a new seating and/or
boarding
method in fourth quarter 2007; and expanding our GDS (Global Distribution
System) and corporate travel account efforts. Finally, the Company
recently offered certain Employees a voluntary early retirement
program. Eligible Employees must make their election to participate
by August 10, 2007. The Company expects to provide more details of
these changes at a later date. See Contractual Obligations and
Contingent Liabilities and Commitments for the Company’s current Boeing aircraft
delivery schedule.
Comparison of three months ended June 30, 2007, to three months ended June 30, 2006
Revenues
Consolidated
operating revenues
increased by $134 million, or 5.5 percent, primarily due to a $113 million,
or
4.8 percent, increase in Passenger revenues. The increase in
Passenger revenues was primarily attributable to the 9.2 percent increase
in
capacity, as the Company added 38 aircraft since the end of second quarter
2006
(and had no aircraft retirements). However, passenger revenues did
not grow as quickly as capacity due to declines in both load factor and average
fares. The Company’s second quarter 2007 load factor was 1.9 points
below its record second quarter load factor set in 2006, and the average
fare
paid was 1.7 percent below the second quarter 2006 level. The Company
believes the decline in average fares was due to more aggressive discounting
by
all airlines as a result of a domestic economy that was not as strong as
second
quarter 2006’s. The decline in load factor versus second quarter 2006
was also due to the softer demand environment. Passenger revenue
per ASM decreased 4.0 percent, approximately 40% of which was due to the
lower
average fares, and 60% of which was due to the lower load factor.
Consolidated
freight revenues decreased by $5 million, or 13.2 percent, primarily as a
result
of the Company’s decision to discontinue the carrying of mail for the U.S.
Postal Service effective as of the end of second quarter
2006. Therefore, the Company had a $6 million shortfall in mail
revenues versus second quarter 2006. This decrease was partially
offset by higher freight and cargo revenues, primarily as a result of higher
rates charged. The Company expects an increase in consolidated
freight revenues for third quarter 2007 compared to third quarter 2006, at
least
at the level of the anticipated capacity increase, since neither of these
periods will include mail revenues. Other revenues increased by $26
million, or 53.1 percent, compared to second quarter
2006. Approximately 65 percent of the increase was primarily due to
higher commissions earned from programs the Company sponsors with certain
business partners, such as the Company sponsored co-branded Visa
card. This included a new long term agreement signed with a business
partner during second quarter 2007, which resulted in higher rates and certain
incentives that the Company had not received in previous agreements for our
co-branded Visa card. The Company expects a year-over-year increase
in Other revenues for third quarter 2007, although at a lower rate than
experienced in second quarter 2007.
Operating
expenses
To
a large extent, changes in operating
expenses for airlines are driven by changes in capacity, or ASMs. The
following presents Southwest’s operating expenses per ASM for the three months
ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, followed by explanations of changes on a per-ASM
basis and/or on a dollar basis, when appropriate (in cents, except for
percentages):
Three
months ended June 30,
|
Per
ASM
|
Percent
|
|||||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
Change
|
Change
|
||||||||||||||
Salaries,
wages, and benefits
|
3.26
|
3.43
|
(.17 | ) | (5.0 | ) | |||||||||||
Fuel
and oil
|
2.43
|
2.27
|
.16
|
7.0
|
|||||||||||||
Maintenance
materials and repairs
|
.62
|
.52
|
.10
|
19.2
|
|||||||||||||
Aircraft
rentals
|
.16
|
.17
|
(.01 | ) | (5.9 | ) | |||||||||||
Landing
fees and other rentals
|
.56
|
.56
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||||
Depreciation
|
.55
|
.55
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||||
Other
operating expenses
|
1.45
|
1.45
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||||
Total
|
9.03
|
8.95
|
.08
|
.9
|
Operating
expenses per ASM were 9.03
cents, a .9 percent increase compared to 8.95 cents for second quarter
2006. Higher fuel costs, as the Company’s average cost per gallon of
fuel increased 7.3 percent versus the prior year, net of hedging, and higher
maintenance materials and repairs expense, were mostly offset by lower salaries,
wages and benefits. Excluding fuel, year-over-year CASM decreased 1.2 percent
to
6.60 cents, as the increase in maintenance costs was more than offset by
the
decline in salaries, wages and benefits. Based on current unit
operating cost trends, the Company expects third quarter 2007 unit costs,
excluding fuel, to be higher than third quarter 2006’s 6.38 cents per ASM,
but lower than second quarter 2007's 6.60 cents per ASM, primarily due to
higher
expected maintenance expense versus third quarter 2006, as discussed further
below.
Salaries,
wages, and benefits expense per ASM decreased 5.0 percent compared to second
quarter 2006, but on a dollar basis increased $28
million. Approximately two-thirds of the decrease on a per-ASM basis
was due to lower profitsharing expense and the majority of the remaining
one-third was due to lower share-based compensation expense. The
Company’s profitsharing contributions are based on income before taxes excluding
primarily unrealized gains and losses from fuel derivative contracts; therefore,
profitsharing expense for second quarter 2007 decreased 25.3
percent. See Note 2 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements for further information on share-based compensation. On a
dollar basis, a $55 million increase in salaries and wages, primarily due
to
higher wage rates, was partially offset by a $27 million decrease in benefits,
which includes both profitsharing expense and share-based compensation
expense.
The
Company recently offered certain Employees a voluntary early retirement
program. Eligible Employees must make their election to participate
by August 10, 2007. Excluding any charge associated with this
program, which is not yet estimable, the Company currently expects Salaries,
wages, and benefits per ASM in third quarter 2007 to be lower than the 3.24
cents reported in third quarter 2006, primarily due to lower share-based
compensation expense.
Fuel
and
oil expense increased $89 million, and on a per ASM basis increased 7.0 percent,
primarily due to a weaker hedge position held by the Company in second quarter
2007 versus second quarter 2006. In second quarter 2007, the Company
held fuel derivative instruments that were at higher average crude
oil-equivalent prices than in second quarter 2006. The Company’s
average fuel cost per gallon in second quarter 2007 was $1.61, which is 7.3
percent higher than second quarter 2006, including the effects of hedging
activities. For second quarter 2007, the Company had protected over
95 percent of its anticipated fuel needs at a crude oil-equivalent price
of
approximately $50 per barrel, resulting in gains recorded in Fuel and oil
expense of $173 million. Second quarter 2006 hedging gains recorded
in Fuel and oil expense were $198 million.
For
third
quarter 2007, the Company has fuel derivatives in place for approximately
90
percent of its expected fuel consumption with a combination of derivative
instruments that effectively cap prices at approximately $51 per barrel of
crude
oil and has added refinery margins on the majority of those
positions. Based on this protection and current market prices, the
Company believes its third quarter 2007 jet fuel cost per gallon will be
in the
$1.70 range. The majority of the Company's near term fuel derivatives
are in the form of option contracts. At June 30, 2007, the estimated
net fair value of the Company’s fuel derivative contracts was $1.6
billion. See Note 5 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements for further discussion of the Company’s hedging activities. The
Company has also continued its efforts to conserve fuel, and in 2007 began
installing Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets on a significant number
of
its 737-300 aircraft (substantially all 737-700 aircraft are already equipped
with winglets). Installations on these 737-300 aircraft are expected
to be completed in 2008.
Maintenance
materials and repairs per
ASM increased 19.2 percent, and on a dollar basis increased $35 million compared
to second quarter 2006. Approximately half of the increase per ASM
was a result of higher engine expense related to the Company’s 737-700 aircraft,
as the number of scheduled overhaul events for these aircraft engines was
significantly higher than the same prior year period. This is
primarily due to the maturing of these aircraft, which make up the majority
of
the Company’s fleet. The majority of the remainder of the increase
per ASM was in airframe expense as the Company also completed significantly
more
planned airframe inspection and repair events than in the prior
year. These airframe inspection events, which are required based on
the number of flight hours each individual aircraft has flown, were higher
in
number as well as cost per event. This increase in airframe
maintenance is due to the maturing of the Company’s fleet as well as the ongoing
transition to a new airframe maintenance program for 737-300 and 737-500
aircraft which began in 2006. This transition is expected to have an
impact on maintenance expense for the next two to three years; however, the
Company does not expect these higher airframe costs to be a long-term
trend. The Company currently expects Maintenance materials and
repairs per ASM for third quarter 2007 to be lower than second quarter 2007’s
.62 cents per ASM primarily due to fewer scheduled engine and airframe
repairs.
Aircraft
rentals per ASM decreased 5.9 percent compared to second quarter
2006. On a dollar basis, expense increased $1 million primarily due
to the addition to the fleet of two leased 737-700 aircraft during second
quarter 2007, which was partially offset by the renegotiation of several
aircraft leases over the past twelve months that resulted in lower lease
rates. The Company currently expects Aircraft rentals per ASM for
third quarter 2007 to be at approximately the same level as second quarter
2007.
Landing
fees and other rentals increased $14 million on a dollar basis. On a
per ASM basis, expense was flat compared to second quarter 2006, as an increase
in landing fees per ASM was offset by a decrease in other rentals per
ASM. Both the 4.0 percent increase in landing fees per ASM and the
3.2 percent decrease in other rentals per ASM were primarily due to fluctuations
in charges paid or credits received as a result of airports’ audits of prior
periods versus second quarter 2006. The Company currently
expects Landing fees and other rentals per ASM in third quarter
2007 to be higher than the .56 cents per ASM in second quarter 2007,
primarily due to fewer credits received as a result of airports' audits of
prior
periods.
Other
operating expenses per ASM were
flat compared to second quarter 2006’s performance of 1.45 cents. On
a dollar basis, other operating expenses increased $31 million, primarily
due to
a 16.0 percent increase in advertising expense. The majority of the
increase in advertising was in television and internet
advertising. For third quarter 2007, the Company expects Other
operating expenses per ASM to be comparable to second quarter 2007’s 1.45
cents.
Through
the 2003 Emergency Wartime
Supplemental Appropriations Act, the federal government has continued to
provide
supplemental first-party war-risk insurance coverage to commercial carriers
for
renewable 60-day periods, at substantially lower premiums than prevailing
commercial rates and for levels of coverage not available in the commercial
market. The government-provided supplemental coverage from the
Wartime Act is currently set to expire on December 31, 2007. Although
another extension beyond this date is expected, if such coverage is not extended
by the government, the Company could incur substantially higher insurance
costs
or unavailability of adequate coverage in future periods.
Other
Interest
expense decreased $5 million,
or 14.7 percent, compared to second quarter 2006. An increase in
market interest rates was more than offset by a lower debt balance
outstanding. The majority of the Company’s long-term debt is at
floating rates. See Note 5 to the unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements for more information.
Capitalized
interest was flat compared
to the prior year.
Interest
income decreased by $7
million, or 33.3 percent, primarily due to a decrease in invested cash and
short-term investments.
Other
(gains) losses, net, primarily
includes amounts recorded in accordance with the Company’s hedging activities
and SFAS 133. The following table displays the components of Other
(gains) losses, net, for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (in
millions):
Three
months ended June 30,
|
|||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||
Mark-to-market
impact from fuel contracts settling in future
|
|||||||||
periods
- included in Other (gains) losses, net
|
$ | (129 | ) | $ | (88 | ) | |||
Ineffectiveness
from fuel hedges settling in future periods -
|
|||||||||
included
in Other (gains) losses, net
|
4
|
(7 | ) | ||||||
Realized
ineffectiveness and mark-to-market (gains) or
|
|||||||||
losses
- included in Other (gains) losses, net
|
(9 | ) | (28 | ) | |||||
Premium
cost of fuel contracts included in Other (gains) losses,
net
|
14
|
12
|
|||||||
Other
|
-
|
(1 | ) | ||||||
$ | (120 | ) | $ | (112 | ) |
For
the
expense related to amounts excluded from the Company's measurements of hedge
effectiveness (i.e., the premium cost of option and collar derivative contracts
that settled during second quarter 2007), the Company expects a similar expense
relating to these items in third quarter 2007.
The
Company’s effective tax rate was
37.8 percent in second quarter 2007 compared to 35.3 percent in second quarter
2006. The lower rate in second quarter 2006 was primarily due to a
$13 million net reduction related to a revision in the State of Texas franchise
tax law enacted during that period. The Company currently expects its
full year 2007 effective rate to be approximately 38 percent.
Comparison
of six months ended June 30, 2007, to six months ended June 30,
2006
Revenues
Consolidated
operating revenues
increased by $312 million, or 7.0 percent, primarily due to a $287 million,
or
6.7 percent, increase in Passenger revenues. The increase in
Passenger revenues was primarily attributable to the 8.2 percent increase
in
capacity, as the Company added 38 aircraft since June 30, 2006 (and had no
aircraft retirements). The increase in capacity was partially offset,
however, by a lower load factor compared to the six months ended June 30,
2006. The first half 2007 load factor was 72.2 percent, compared to
73.7 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Passenger yield
per RPM increased only slightly versus the six months ended June 30, 2006,
as
modest fare increases taken were mostly offset by a higher mix of discounted
tickets flown during the first half of 2007. Passenger revenue per
ASM decreased 1.4 percent, as the slightly higher RPM yields were more than
offset by the decline in load factor.
Consolidated
freight revenues decreased
by $11 million, or 14.9 percent, primarily as a result of the Company’s decision
to discontinue the carrying of mail for the U.S. Postal Service effective
as of
June 30, 2006. Therefore, the Company had a $14 million shortfall in
mail revenues versus the six months ended June 30, 2006. This
decrease was partially offset by higher freight and cargo revenues, primarily
as
a result of higher rates charged. Other revenues increased by $36
million, or 37.9 percent, compared to 2006. The increase was
primarily due to higher commissions and incentives earned from programs the
Company sponsors with certain business partners, such as the Company sponsored
co-branded Visa card.
Operating
expenses
To
a large extent, changes in operating
expenses for airlines are driven by changes in capacity, or ASMs. The
following presents Southwest’s operating expenses per ASM for the six months
ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, followed by explanations of changes on a per-ASM
basis and/or on a dollar basis, when appropriate (in cents, except for
percentages):
Six
months ended June 30,
|
Per
ASM
|
Percent
|
|||||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
Change
|
Change
|
||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Salaries,
wages, and benefits
|
3.25
|
3.34
|
(.09 | ) | (2.7 | ) | |||||||||||
Fuel
and oil
|
2.41
|
2.27
|
.14
|
6.2
|
|||||||||||||
Maintenance
materials and repairs
|
.60
|
.50 |
.10
|
20.0
|
|||||||||||||
Aircraft
rentals
|
.16
|
.18
|
(.02 | ) | (11.1 | ) | |||||||||||
Landing
fees and other rentals
|
.57
|
.54
|
.03
|
5.6
|
|||||||||||||
Depreciation
|
.56
|
.56
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||||
Other
operating expenses
|
1.43
|
1.44
|
(0 | ) | (1 | ) | |||||||||||
Total
|
8.98
|
8.83
|
.15
|
1.7
|
Operating
expenses per ASM were 8.98
cents, a 1.7 percent increase compared to 8.83 cents for the six months ended
June 30, 2006. Higher fuel expense per ASM from a higher price per
gallon of jet fuel, including hedging gains, and higher maintenance expense
per
ASM were partially offset by a decline in salaries, wages and benefits per
ASM. Excluding fuel, year-over-year CASM was virtually
flat.
Salaries, wages, and benefits expense per ASM decreased 2.7 percent compared
to
the six months ended June 30, 2006. The decrease was primarily due to
lower profitsharing expense and lower share-based compensation expense,
partially offset by an increase in wage rates. The Company’s
profitsharing contributions are based on income before taxes excluding primarily
unrealized gains and losses from fuel derivative contracts. Excluding
these items from both years resulted in a 29.5 percent decrease in profitsharing
contributions for first half 2007. On a dollar basis, salaries,
wages, and benefits expense increased $79 million. Of this total,
salaries and wages increased $107 million, primarily due to wage rate increases,
and other benefits (excluding profitsharing and share-based compensation)
increased by a total $19 million. These increases were partially
offset by a $27 million decrease in profitsharing expense, due to less income
available for profitsharing, and a $20 million decrease in share-based
compensation expense, due to a greater number of Employee stock options becoming
vested in 2006 versus 2007. See Note 2 to the unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements for further information on share-based
compensation.
Fuel
and
oil expense increased $152 million, and on a per ASM basis increased 6.2
percent, primarily due to a weaker hedge position held by the Company in
2007
versus 2006, partially offset by slightly lower market jet fuel
prices. In first half 2007, the Company held fuel derivative
instruments that were at higher average crude oil-equivalent prices than
in
2006. The Company’s average fuel cost per gallon for the six months
ended June 30, 2007, was $1.61, which was 6.6 percent higher than the same
2006
period, including the effects of hedging activities. Excluding
hedging gains in both years, the Company’s average jet fuel cost per gallon for
the six months ended June 30, 2007, was $1.95 versus $1.97 for the same 2006
period. For first half 2007, the Company had protected against over
95 percent of its anticipated fuel needs at a crude oil-equivalent price
of
approximately $50 per barrel, resulting in gains recorded in Fuel and oil
expense of $251 million. First half 2006 hedging gains recorded in
Fuel and oil expense were $314 million.
Maintenance
materials and repairs per
ASM increased 20.0 percent compared to first half 2006, and increased $67
million on a dollar basis. The majority of the increase on both a
dollar basis and per ASM, was a result of higher airframe expense as the
Company
completed significantly more planned airframe inspection and repair events
than
in the prior year. These airframe inspection events, which are
required based on the number of flight hours each individual aircraft has
flown,
were higher in number as well as cost per event.
Aircraft
rentals per ASM decreased 11.1 percent compared to first half 2006, and
decreased $1 million on a dollar basis. The majority of the decrease
per ASM and on a dollar basis was due to the renegotiation of several aircraft
leases over the past twelve months that resulted in lower lease rates, partially
offset by the addition of two leased 737-700 aircraft during second quarter
2007.
Landing
fees and other rentals increased $30 million on a dollar basis, and increased
5.6 percent on a per ASM basis compared to first half 2006, primarily from
an
increase in other rentals per ASM. This increase per ASM was
primarily due to higher rates at certain airports and an increase in airport
space in locations in which the Company has increased the number of flights
offered.
Other
operating expenses increased $51
million, but decreased .7 percent per ASM compared to the six months ended
June
30, 2007. On a dollar basis, approximately 20 percent of the increase
was due to higher credit card fees associated with the increase in revenues,
and
another 20 percent was related to higher personnel expenses associated with
flight crews, such as hotel and meal costs.
Other
Interest
expense decreased $10 million,
or 14.7 percent, compared to first half 2006. An increase in interest
rates was more than offset by a lower debt balance outstanding. The
majority of the Company’s long-term debt is at floating rates. See
Note 5 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for more
information.
Capitalized
interest increased $1
million, or 3.8 percent, compared to the prior year, primarily due to a slight
increase in the balances that qualify for interest capitalization—primarily
progress payments made for future aircraft deliveries.
Interest
income decreased by $12
million, or 30.8 percent, primarily due to a decrease in invested cash and
short-term investments.
Other
(gains) losses, net, primarily
includes amounts recorded in accordance with the Company’s hedging activities
and SFAS 133. The following table displays the components of Other
(gains) losses, net for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (in
millions):
Six
months ended June 30,
|
||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||
Mark-to-market
impact from fuel contracts settling in future
|
||||||||
periods
- included in Other (gains) losses, net
|
$ | (200 | ) | $ | (130 | ) | ||
Ineffectiveness
from fuel hedges settling in future periods -
|
||||||||
included
in Other (gains) losses, net
|
9
|
4
|
||||||
Realized
ineffectiveness and mark-to-market (gains) or
|
||||||||
losses
- included in Other (gains) losses, net
|
(26 | ) | (10 | ) | ||||
Premium
cost of fuel contracts included in Other (gains) losses,
net
|
29
|
23
|
||||||
Other
|
-
|
(1 | ) | |||||
$ | (188 | ) | $ | (114 | ) |
The
Company’s effective tax rate was
37.8 percent in first half 2007 compared to 35.5 percent in first half
2006. The lower rate in 2006 was primarily due to a $13 million net
reduction related to a revision in the State of Texas franchise tax law enacted
during that period.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Net
cash provided by operating
activities was $980 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007, compared
to $832 million in the same prior year period. For the six months
ended June 30, 2007, net cash provided by operating activities was $1.6 billion,
which was comparable to the prior year. The operating cash flows in
both years were largely impacted by fluctuations in counterparty deposits
associated with the Company’s fuel hedging program. There was an
increase in counterparty deposits of $535 million for the six months ended
June
30, 2007, versus an increase of $340 million during the six months ended
June
30, 2006 (counterparty deposits are classified in Accrued liabilities in
the
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet). The larger increase
in these deposits during 2007 has been due to a larger increase in the fair
value of the Company’s fuel derivative portfolio versus the same prior year
period. The fair value of the Company’s fuel derivatives increased
from $1.0 billion at December 31, 2006, to $1.6 billion at June 30,
2007. See Item 3, and Notes 5 and 7 to the unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements. The increase in counterparty
deposits was offset by smaller decreases in cash flows within several items,
such as Other current assets, Other noncurrent assets and liabilities
(classified as “Other” in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash
Flows), and Accounts receivable. Cash flows from operating activities
for both years were also impacted by changes in Air traffic liability as
well as
net income. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, there was a $322
million increase in Air traffic liability, as a result of seasonal bookings
for
future travel, and the Company achieved net income of $371
million. These amounts were comparable to the prior year $309 million
increase in Air traffic liability and net income of $394 million. Net
cash provided by operating activities is primarily used to finance capital
expenditures.
Net
cash
flows used in investing activities during the three months ended June 30,
2007,
totaled $533 million compared to $480 million in 2006. For the six
months ended June 30, 2007, net cash flows used in investing activities was
$804
million, compared to $789 million for the same 2006 period. Investing
activities in both years consisted primarily of payments for new 737-700
aircraft delivered to the Company and progress payments for future aircraft
deliveries. In addition, investing activities for both periods were
impacted by changes in the balance of the Company’s short-term investments,
namely auction rate securities. During the six months ended June 30,
2007, the Company’s short-term investments increased by a net $140 million,
versus a net increase of $145 million during the same prior year
period.
Net
cash
used in financing activities during the three months ended June 30, 2007,
was
$460 million compared to $360 million used in financing activities for the
same
period in 2006. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, net cash used
in financing activities was $578 million, compared to $482 million for the
same
2006 period. During the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company
repurchased $674 million of its Common Stock, representing a total of 45.3
million shares. This outflow was partially offset by $92 million
received from Employees’ exercise of stock options. In the prior
year, the Company repurchased $503 million of its Common Stock and repaid
$136
million in debt and capital lease obligations, which were partially offset
by
$136 million received from Employees’ exercise of stock options.
Contractual
Obligations and Contingent Liabilities and Commitments
Southwest
has contractual obligations
and commitments primarily for future purchases of aircraft, payment of debt,
and
lease arrangements. Through the first six months of 2007, the Company
purchased 19 new 737-700 aircraft from Boeing and leased an additional two
previously owned 737-700 aircraft from a third party. As part of the
Company’s announced intention to slow its growth rate during fourth quarter 2007
and for all of 2008, the Company recently signed an agreement with Boeing
to
defer five of our scheduled 2008 deliveries. The Company is also
exploring other alternatives to reduce its fleet growth, which could consist
of
either the sale of aircraft in the Company’s fleet, or the return of leased
aircraft at the end of their lease terms, among others. In addition,
the Company exercised certain 737-700 options in 2009 through
2014. Through these actions, the Company now expects its fleet
to grow by 19 net aircraft during 2008. Based on these recent
modifications, Southwest’s firm orders and options to purchase Boeing 737-700
aircraft are reflected in the following table:
The
Boeing Company
|
Other
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Purchase
|
Previously
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Firm
|
Options
|
Rights
|
Owned
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||
2007
|
37
|
2
|
39 | * | ||||||||||||||||
2008
|
29
|
29 | ** | |||||||||||||||||
2009
|
18
|
10
|
28
|
|||||||||||||||||
2010
|
10
|
24
|
34
|
|||||||||||||||||
2011
|
10
|
22
|
32
|
|||||||||||||||||
2012
|
10
|
30
|
40
|
|||||||||||||||||
2013
|
19
|
19
|
||||||||||||||||||
2014
|
10
|
10
|
||||||||||||||||||
Through
2014
|
-
|
-
|
54
|
54
|
||||||||||||||||
Total
|
143
|
86
|
54
|
2
|
285
|
|||||||||||||||
* 2007
delivery dates: eight in first quarter, eleven in second quarter,
eleven
|
||||||||||||||||||||
in third quarter and nine in fourth quarter.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
**
Currently exploring alternatives to reduce fleet growth by another
ten
|
||||||||||||||||||||
aircraft, bringing 2008 net additions to 19.
|
The
following table details information
on the 500 aircraft in the Company’s fleet as of June 30, 2007:
Average
|
Number
|
Number
|
Number
|
|||||||||||||||||||
737
Type
|
Seats
|
Age
(Yrs)
|
of
Aircraft
|
Owned
|
Leased
|
|||||||||||||||||
-300
|
137
|
16.2
|
194
|
112
|
82
|
|||||||||||||||||
-500
|
122
|
16.2
|
25
|
16
|
9
|
|||||||||||||||||
-700
|
137
|
4.1
|
281
|
277
|
4
|
|||||||||||||||||
TOTALS
|
9.4
|
500
|
405
|
95
|
The Company has the option, which must be exercised two years prior to the
contractual delivery date, to substitute -600s or -800s for the
-700s. Based on the above delivery schedule, aggregate funding needed
for firm aircraft commitments was approximately $3.6 billion, subject to
adjustments for inflation, due as follows: $488 million remaining in 2007,
$735
million in 2008, $467 million in 2009, $341 million in 2010, $444 million
in
2011, $458 million in 2012, $487 million in 2013 and $197 million
thereafter.
The
Company has various options
available to meet its capital and operating commitments, including cash on
hand
and short term investments at June 30, 2007, of $2.1 billion, internally
generated funds, and the Company’s fully available $600 million revolving credit
facility. The Company will also consider various borrowing or leasing
options to maximize earnings and supplement cash requirements.
In
March 2007, the Company’s Board of
Directors authorized a repurchase of up to $300 million of the Company’s Common
Stock. Repurchases were made in accordance with applicable securities
laws in the open market or in private transactions from time to time, depending
on market conditions. This program was completed during May 2007,
resulting in the repurchase of 20.5 million shares. In May 2007, the
Company’s Board of Directors authorized an additional repurchase of up to $500
million of the Company’s Common Stock. As of July 17, 2007, the
Company had repurchased 20 million shares for $295 million as part of this
program. See Item 2 of Part II of this filing for further information
on these two repurchase programs.
The
Company currently has outstanding
shelf registrations for the issuance of up to $1.0 billion in public debt
securities and pass-through certificates, which it may utilize for aircraft
financings or other purposes in the future.
Forward
looking statements
Some
statements in this Form 10-Q (or otherwise made by the Company or on the
Company’s behalf from time to time in other reports, filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, news releases, conferences, World Wide Web postings
or
otherwise) which are not historical facts may be “forward-looking statements”
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are
based
on, and include statements about, Southwest’s estimates, expectations, beliefs,
intentions, or strategies for the future, and the assumptions underlying
these
forward-looking statements. Specific forward-looking statements can
be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical
or
current facts and include, without limitation, statements related to the
following: our expectations with respect to capacity, load factors, unit
revenues, operating expenses, and tax rates; our liquidity, including our
anticipated needs for, and sources of, funds; our initiatives and strategies
to
improve revenues; our plans and expectations for managing exposure to material
increases in jet fuel prices; and our expectations and intentions relating
to
outstanding litigation. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees
of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult
to
predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is
expressed in or indicated by Southwest’s forward-looking statements or from
historical experience or the Company’s present expectations. These factors
include, among others:
(i)
the price and availability of aircraft fuel;
|
(ii)
|
our
ability to timely and effectively prioritize our revenue initiatives
and
our related ability to timely implement and maintain the necessary
information technology systems and infrastructure to support these
initiatives;
|
|
(iii)
|
the
extent and timing of the Company’s investment of incremental
operating expenses and capital expenditures to develop and implement
our
initiatives and our corresponding ability to effectively control
our
operating expenses;
|
|
(iv)
|
our
dependence on third party arrangements to assist with implementation
of
certain of our initiatives;
|
|
(v)
|
the
impact of governmental regulations on our operating costs, as well
as our
operations generally;
|
(vi) competitor
capacity and load factors; and
|
(vii)
|
other
factors as set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the
heading
“Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2006.
|
Caution
should be taken not to place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking
statements, which represent the Company’s views only as of the date this report
is filed. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise
any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future
events
or otherwise.
Item
3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
About Market Risk
As
discussed in Note 5 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements, the Company utilizes financial derivative instruments to hedge
its
exposure to material increases in jet fuel prices. During the first
six months of 2007, the fair values of the Company’s fuel derivative contracts
increased significantly. At June 30, 2007, the estimated gross fair
value of outstanding contracts was $1.6 billion, compared to $1.0 billion
at
December 31, 2006.
Outstanding
financial derivative instruments expose the Company to credit loss in the
event
of nonperformance by the counterparties to the agreements. However,
the Company does not expect any of the counterparties to fail to meet their
obligations. The credit exposure related to these financial
instruments is represented by the fair value of contracts with a positive
fair
value at the reporting date. To manage credit risk, the Company
selects and periodically reviews counterparties based on credit ratings,
limits
its exposure to a single counterparty, and monitors the market position of
the
program and its relative market position with each counterparty. At June
30,
2007, the Company had agreements with eight counterparties containing early
termination rights and/or bilateral collateral provisions whereby security
is
required if market risk exposure exceeds a specified threshold amount or
credit
ratings fall below certain levels. At June 30, 2007, the Company held
$1.1 billion in fuel derivative related cash collateral deposits under these
bilateral collateral provisions. These collateral deposits serve to
decrease, but not totally eliminate, the credit risk associated with the
Company’s hedging program. The cash deposits, which can have a significant
impact on the Company’s cash balance, are included in Accrued liabilities on the
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Cash flows as of and
for a particular operating period are included as Operating cash flows in
the
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. See also
Note 7 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements.
See
Item
7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and Note
5 to
the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further
information about Market Risk.
Item
4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
The
Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that
it
is able to collect the information it is required to disclose in the reports
it
files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and to record, process,
summarize and disclose this information within the time periods specified
in the
rules of the SEC, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that
this
information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management,
including its Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers, as appropriate
to
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on an
evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of
the period covered by this report conducted by the Company’s management, with
the participation of the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers, the
Chief
Executive and Chief Financial Officers believe that these controls and
procedures are effective to ensure that the Company is able to collect, process,
and disclose the information it is required to disclose in the reports it
files
with the SEC within the required time periods.
Internal
Control over Financial Reporting
There
were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as
defined in Rules 13(a)-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during
the
fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007, that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting.
PART
II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1. Legal Proceedings
The
Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims arising in the
ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, examinations
by the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS regularly examines the
Company’s federal income tax returns and, in the course thereof, proposes
adjustments to the Company’s federal income tax liability reported on such
returns. It is the Company’s practice to vigorously contest those
proposed adjustments it deems lacking of merit.
The
Company's management does not expect that the outcome in any of its currently
ongoing legal proceedings or the outcome of any proposed adjustments presented
to date by the IRS, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash
flow.
Item
1A.
Risk Factors
There
have been no material changes to the factors disclosed in Item 1A. Risk Factors
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2006.
Item
2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and
Use of Proceeds
(c)
Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities (1)
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
(d)
|
|||||||||||||
Total
number of
|
Maximum
dollar
|
|||||||||||||||
shares
purchased
|
value
that may
|
|||||||||||||||
Total
number
|
Average
|
as
part of publicly
|
yet
be purchased
|
|||||||||||||
of
shares
|
price
paid
|
announced
plans
|
under
the plans
|
|||||||||||||
Period
|
purchased
|
per
share
|
or
programs
|
or
programs
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
April
1, 2007 through April 30, 2007
|
6,600,000
|
$ |
14.98
|
6,600,000
|
$ |
191,958,771
|
||||||||||
May
1, 2007 through May 31, 2007
|
13,190,100
|
$ |
14.48
|
13,190,100
|
$ |
966,123
|
||||||||||
June
1, 2007 through June 30, 2007
|
12,000,000
|
$ |
14.53
|
12,000,000
|
$ |
326,606,123
|
||||||||||
Total
|
31,790,100
|
31,790,100
|
(1)
On
March 15, 2007, the Company publicly announced a program for the repurchase
of
up to $300 million of the Company’s Common Stock. This program was
completed during May 2007, resulting in the purchase of 20.5 million
shares. On May 16, 2007, the Company publicly announced an additional
program for the repurchase of up to $500 million of the Company’s Common
Stock. As of July 17, 2007, the Company had repurchased 20
million shares for $295 million as part of this program. Repurchases
for both programs have been made in accordance with applicable securities
laws
in the open market or in private transactions from time to time, depending
on
market conditions.
Item
3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
None
Item
4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of
Security Holders
The
Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday,
May 16, 2007. The following matters received the following votes at
the meeting:
(1) Election
of Directors. The following nominees were elected to the
Company's Board of Directors to hold office for a term expiring in
2008:
Director
|
Votes
For
|
Votes
Withheld
|
Broker
Non-Votes
|
||||||
Colleen
C. Barrett
|
510,264,924
|
162,113,418
|
-
|
||||||
David
W. Biegler
|
635,539,500
|
36,838,842
|
-
|
||||||
Louis
E. Caldera
|
635,514,300
|
36,864,042
|
-
|
||||||
C.
Webb Crockett
|
404,420,661
|
267,957,681
|
-
|
||||||
William
H. Cunningham
|
635,024,456
|
37,353,886
|
-
|
||||||
Travis
C. Johnson
|
632,606,549
|
39,771,793
|
-
|
||||||
Herbert
D. Kelleher
|
517,682,554
|
154,695,788
|
-
|
||||||
Gary
C. Kelly
|
518,968,570
|
153,409,772
|
-
|
||||||
Nancy
B. Loeffler
|
499,659,164
|
172,719,178
|
-
|
||||||
John
T. Montford
|
623,765,784
|
48,612,558
|
-
|
Director
William P. Hobby retired as of the 2007 Annual Meeting.
(2)
Approval of Amendment to the Company’s Articles of
Incorporation. A Company proposal to amend the Company’s
Articles of Incorporation to eliminate supermajority voting requirements
was
passed as follows:
Votes For
|
Votes Against
|
Abstentions
|
Broker Non-Votes
|
||||||||||
660,613,271
|
6,160,895
|
5,604,176
|
-
|
(3)
Approval of 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. A Company proposal
to approve the Company’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan was passed as
follows:
Votes For
|
Votes Against
|
Abstentions
|
Broker Non-Votes
|
||||||||||
397,136,490
|
169,171,148
|
5,198,192
|
100,872,512
|
(4)
Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors. The
selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2007 was ratified as follows:
Votes For
|
Votes Against
|
Abstentions
|
Broker Non-Votes
|
||||||||||
663,125,826
|
4,367,528
|
4,884,988
|
-
|
(5)
Adoption of Simple Majority Vote. A shareholder proposal to
adopt a simple majority shareholder vote with respect to certain matters
was
considered.
Votes For
|
Votes Against
|
Abstentions
|
Broker Non-Votes
|
||||||||||
73,620,372
|
491,657,186
|
6,228,272
|
100,872,512
|
Item
5. Other Information
None
Item
6. Exhibits
a) Exhibits
3.1
|
Restated
Articles of Incorporation of Southwest (incorporated by reference
to
|
|
Exhibit 4.1
to Southwest’s Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (File
|
||
No. 33-52155));
Amendment to Restated Articles of Incorporation of
Southwest
|
||
(incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Southwest’s Quarterly Report
on
|
||
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 1996 (File
No. 1-7259));
|
||
Amendment
to Restated Articles of Incorporation of Southwest (incorporated
by
|
||
reference
to Exhibit 3.1 to Southwest’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the
|
||
quarter
ended June 30, 1998 (File No. 1-7259)); Amendment to Restated
Articles of
|
||
Incorporation
of Southwest (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to
Southwest’s
|
||
Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-82735));
|
||
Amendment
to Restated Articles of Incorporation of Southwest (incorporated
by
|
||
reference
to Exhibit 3.1 to Southwest’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the
|
||
quarter
ended June 30, 2001 (File No. 1-7259)); Articles of Amendment
to
|
||
Articles
of Incorporation of Southwest Airlines Co.
|
||
3.2
|
Bylaws
of Southwest, as amended through January 2007 (incorporated by
reference
|
|
to
Exhibit 3.2 to Southwest’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
January 18, 2007 (File No. 1-7259)).
|
||
10.1
|
Supplemental
Agreement No. 53 to Purchase Agreement No. 1810,
|
|
dated
January 19, 1994 between The Boeing Company and
Southwest.
|
||
Pursuant
to 17 CFR 240.24b-2, confidential information has been
omitted
|
||
and
has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange
Commission
|
||
pursuant
to a Confidential Treatment Application filed with the
|
||
Commission.
|
||
10.2
|
Southwest
Airlines Co. Outside Director Incentive Plan (as
amended
|
|
and
restated effective May 16, 2007)
|
||
10.3
|
Southwest
Airlines Co. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated
by
|
|
reference
to Exhibit 99.1 to Southwest’s Current Report on Form
8-K
|
||
dated
May 16, 2007 (File No. 1-7259))
|
||
31.1
|
Rule
13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
|
|
31.2
|
Rule
13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
|
|
32.1
|
Section
1350 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial
|
|
Officer
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report
to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized.
SOUTHWEST
AIRLINES CO.
|
||
July
19, 2007
|
By
|
/s/
Laura Wright
|
Laura
Wright
|
||
Chief
Financial Officer
|
||
(On
behalf of the Registrant and in
|
||
her
capacity as Principal Financial
|
||
and
Accounting Officer)
|
||
3.1
|
Restated
Articles of Incorporation of Southwest (incorporated by reference
to
|
|
Exhibit 4.1
to Southwest’s Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (File
|
||
No. 33-52155));
Amendment to Restated Articles of Incorporation of
Southwest
|
||
(incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Southwest’s Quarterly Report
on
|
||
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 1996 (File
No. 1-7259));
|
||
Amendment
to Restated Articles of Incorporation of Southwest (incorporated
by
|
||
reference
to Exhibit 3.1 to Southwest’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the
|
||
quarter
ended June 30, 1998 (File No. 1-7259)); Amendment to Restated
Articles of
|
||
Incorporation
of Southwest (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to
Southwest’s
|
||
Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-82735));
|
||
Amendment
to Restated Articles of Incorporation of Southwest (incorporated
by
|
||
reference
to Exhibit 3.1 to Southwest’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the
|
||
quarter
ended June 30, 2001 (File No. 1-7259)); Articles of Amendment
to
|
||
Articles
of Incorporation of Southwest Airlines Co.
|
||
3.2
|
Bylaws
of Southwest, as amended through January 2007 (incorporated by
reference
|
|
to
Exhibit 3.2 to Southwest’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
January 18, 2007 (File No. 1-7259)).
|
||
10.1
|
Supplemental
Agreement No. 53 to Purchase Agreement No. 1810,
|
|
dated
January 19, 1994 between The Boeing Company and
Southwest.
|
||
Pursuant
to 17 CFR 240.24b-2, confidential information has been
omitted
|
||
and
has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange
Commission
|
||
pursuant
to a Confidential Treatment Application filed with the
|
||
Commission.
|
||
10.2
|
Southwest
Airlines Co. Outside Director Incentive Plan (as
amended
|
|
and
restated effective May 16, 2007)
|
||
10.3
|
Southwest
Airlines Co. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated
by
|
|
reference
to Exhibit 99.1 to Southwest’s Current Report on Form
8-K
|
||
dated
May 16, 2007(File No. 1-7259))
|
||
31.1
|
Rule
13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
|
|
31.2
|
Rule
13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
|
|
32.1
|
Section
1350 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial
|
|
Officer
|
32