Best Airline Stocks YTD

Published on Tuesday, 21 February 2012 14:57 Written by J Hawk

New York, February 21^st (TradersHuddle.com) – Airline stocks have seen sharp gains year to date. Here are the airline stocks or ADRs listed in the U.S. stock markets’ transportation sector that have demonstrated the best performance so far this year as of last Friday’s stock market close. 

U.S. Airways Group, Inc. – Up 75.5 Percent YTD

As of February 17^th‘s stock market close, the top performing airline stock was U.S. Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE: LCC).

U.S. Airways Group is an airline holding company headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. Its Q4 results showed earnings of $0.13 per share that was much better than expected, as was its revenue that gained 9 percent to $3.155 billion

U.S. Airways Group, Inc.’s share price was trading at the $5.07 level at the close on December 30^th of 2011, and as of February 17^th, 2012, it was up 75.5 percent thus far on the year to the $8.90 level. 

Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. – Up 66.8 Percent YTD

The second top performing airline stock was Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RJET) as of February 17^th‘s stock market close.

Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. offers scheduled passenger flights, as well as charter, aircraft leasing and commuter slot licensing services. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in Indianapolis, IN.

Republic Airways Holdings’ share price closed at the $3.43 level on December 30^th of 2011, and as of February 17^th, 2012, it was up 66.8 percent thus far on the year to close at the $5.72 level. 

Delta Airlines, Inc. – Up 33.9 Percent YTD

Third in the list of five top performing airline stocks as of February 17^th‘s stock market close is Delta Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: DAL).

Delta Airlines is the second largest U.S. air carrier by traffic. Its Q4 profit of $425 million, representing earnings of $0.50 per share, was sharply than the $19 million and $0.02 EPS reported for the same period last year, and considerably exceeded what the market was expecting.

Delta Airlines’ share price closed at the $8.09 level on December 30^th of 2011. By the market close on February 17^th, 2012, Delta Airlines’ shares were up 33.9 percent thus far on the year to the $10.83 level. 

GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. – Up 33.5 Percent YTD

The fourth stock in the list of five top performing airline stocks as of February 17^th‘s stock market close is GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL).

GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. is the largest low-cost Latin American airline and is based in São Paulo, Brazil. The company recorded total demand growth of 12.1% in January versus December and a total load factor of 70.4%, which have lent support to the price of its ADRs.

GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes’ ADR price closed at the $6.63 level on December 30^th of 2011. At the market close on February 17^th, 2012, the stock was up 33.5 percent thus far on the year to the $8.85 level. 

Copa Holdings S.A. – Up 29.6 Percent YTD

The final stock listed among the top five performing airline stocks as of February 17^th‘s stock market close is Copa Holdings S.A. (NYSE: CPA). COPA Holdings is based in Panama City, Panama and has become a leading commercial aviation provider of passenger and cargo services in Latin America, with a focus on flights to Panama and Columbia.

Copa Holdings’ ADR price closed at the $58.67 level on December 30^th of 2011.  As of February 17^th, 2012, the ADRs were up 29.6 percent so far on the year to close at the $76.02 level. 

Honorable Mention - AMR Corporation’s Stock Up 35.5% in Pink Sheets

AMR Corporation (PINK: AAMRQ), which operates American Airlines and American Eagle Airlines, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on November 29^th, 2011 and is currently in the process of reorganization.

Nevertheless, its Pink Sheets listed stock was quoted at $0.397 on January 6^th and at $0.538 on February 17^th of 2012, thereby showing a 35.5% rise YTD. This gain would put the airline stock in third place for the year under normal circumstances.