Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) is seeking immunity from antitrust laws to work more closely with United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA) and others on international routes. And, since airlines operate in a state of seemingly perpetual turmoil, what's the harm? According to the Justice Department: plenty.

The airline sought broad immunity as part of an effort to join Star Alliance, which includes US Airways, Lufthansa (OTC: DLAKY), and Air Canada -- along with United. Continental believes that it needs to join Star Alliance in order to remain competitive, especially with airlines that have this type of immunity already.

Continue reading Justice Department pushes back on Continental immunity request

Justice Department pushes back on Continental immunity request originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading American Airlines: An 'empty shoebox play'

American Airlines: An 'empty shoebox play' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AMR Corp (NYSE: AMR) closed at $5.20. WTI Crude oil is recently up 1.57% to $67.16 according to Bloomberg. AMR July and November option implied volatility of 94 is below its 26-week average of 115, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

UAL Corp (NASDAQ: UAUA) closed at $5.29. UAUA July option implied volatility is at 102, December is at 111; below its 26-week average of 128, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

Options Update: Airliner volatility at low end of range originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Airlines could suffer thanks to a potential swine flu epidemic

Airlines could suffer thanks to a potential swine flu epidemic originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) Q1 profit edged past expectations despite lower sales of Humira.
• AMR Corp. (NYSE: AMR) posted a smaller-than-expected Q1 loss, sending shares sharply higher.
• Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) reported better-than-expected Q1 earnings, sending share higher.
• BP (NYSE: BP) and other oil companies were downgraded due to higher environmental costs.
• Charles Schwab Corp. (NASDAQ: SCHW) Q1 earnings declined but still topped analysts' expectations.
• Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) said Q1 earnings would be lower due to a weaker dollar and lower oil prices.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Goldman Sachs, Google, Citigroup, GE, Intel, Nokia and more

Earnings highlights: Goldman Sachs, Google, Citigroup, GE, Intel, Nokia and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AMR Corp (NYSE: AMR) closed at $4.16. AMR is scheduled to report Q1 EPS on April 15. WTI Crude oil is recently up 2.51% to $50.62 according to Bloomberg. AMR April and May option implied volatility is at 133, August is at 128; near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) closed at $6.91. DAL is expected to report Q1 on April 21. DAL May option implied volatility is at 108; June is at 114; below its 26-week average of 122, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options update: AMR Corp volatility flat into EPS and outlook originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Singapore Airlines is one of the most successful carriers in the world. Because of the size of its home company, most of its flights are international. Several large U.S. airlines, including AMR (NYSE:AMR) and UAL (NASDAQ:UAUA) rely heavily on their overseas routes for large amounts of their profits. The yield-per-passenger is often better on flights going outside the U.S. than those within American borders.

Singapore Air is grounding a number of its planes as demand for international travel collapses. According to the AP, "The carrier said it will reduce capacity by 11 percent between April and March 2010 from the previous twelve months and decommission 17 aircraft after air cargo shipments fell 20 percent recently." Flying cargo is a separate profit center for a number of large airlines. As sales in that business drop, it compounds losses brought on by falling passenger travel.

Since Singapore Air's cuts are scheduled to go into 2010, the carrier clearly believes that there will not be a short-term rise in air travel.

U.S. carrier stocks have rebounded some from summer lows because of the drop in jet fuel prices. That should help their P&Ls. But if Singapore Air is a canary in the coal mine, the advantage of cheaper fuel may only help the industry so far.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 24/7 Wall St.

For U.S. carriers Singapore Air move may signal more trouble originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) reported dismal Q4 results due to lower demand.
• AMR Corp. (NYSE: AMR) reported a bigger-than-expected Q4 loss, sending shares lower.
• Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP) earnings prospects led to an upgrade.
• eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) posted Q4 and full-year results with increased revenue due to a stronger dollar.
• Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) reported strong Q4 numbers that beat analysts' expectations.
• International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) reported better-than-expected Q4 and 2008 earnings.
• Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) posted strong Q4 results but lowered its 2009 guidance.
• Northern Trust Corp. (NASDAQ: NTRS) shares surged after posting better-than-expected earnings.
• Regions Financial Corp. (NYSE: RF) reported a huge loss due to write-downs and offered a bleak outlook.
• Societe Generale said that it expects to have broken even in the final quarter of 2008.
• Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) posted its second straight quarterly loss due to fuel hedging costs.
• UAL Corp. (NASDAQ: UAUA) reported a huge loss on the erosion in value of oil hedges as prices dropped.
• Usana Health Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: USNA) posted record Q4 results despite one-time charges.

For more highlights from this week, see Apple, Microsoft, GE, Johnson & Johnson, Harley Davidson and others

Continue reading Earnings highlights: eBay, Google, IBM, Southwest, UAL, AMR, Northern Trust and others

Earnings highlights: eBay, Google, IBM, Southwest, UAL, AMR, Northern Trust and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

American Airlines (AMR) dives on Q4 losses originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Stocks in the news: IBM, BHP, ERIC, AAPL, UTX, F, BCS, C, UL, WMT ...

Stocks in the news: IBM, BHP, ERIC, AAPL, UTX, F, BCS, C, UL, WMT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Calyon upgraded major network carriers based on falling oil prices and capacity cuts. The analyst is positive over the next 12 months but cautious short-term given the uncertain economy, and volatile markets and oil prices. AMR Corp (NYSE: AMR) and Delta Air (NYSE: DAL) were upgraded to Add from Neutral and UAL Corp (NASDAQ: UAUA) was raised to Neutral from Reduce.
• Ryanair (NASDAQ: RYAAY) was upgraded at Citigroup to Buy from Hold.
• Boardwalk Pipeline (NYSE: BWP) was raised to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Cowen lifted Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) to Outperform from Neutral.
• JP Morgan upgraded Choice Hotels (NYSE: CHH) to Neutral from Underweight following the better-than-expected Q3 report.
• Oppenheimer upgraded shares of Integra LifeSciences (NASDAQ: IART) to Outperform from Perform on valuation, the company's minimal exposure to economic conditions, and expectations for margin improvement and a rebound in organic growth.

• Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) and AerCap Holdings (NYSE: AER) were downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JP Morgan.
• UBS downgraded Embarq (NYSE: EQ) to Neutral from Buy following the CenturyTel (NYSE: CTL) merger announcement.

Continue reading Analyst calls: AMR, DAL, UAUA, RYAAY, BIIB, SHW, EQ, INTU, NYT, GOOG, YHOO ...

Analyst calls: AMR, DAL, UAUA, RYAAY, BIIB, SHW, EQ, INTU, NYT, GOOG, YHOO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) narrowed its Q3 net loss on rising revenues.
• AMR Corp. (NYSE: AMR) posted a deeper-than-estimated Q3 loss but ordered 42 new planes.
• Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) reported its fourth straight quarterly loss on another write-down.
• Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) posted better-than-expected Q3 results on growth overseas.
• CSX Corp. (NYSE: CSX) reported strong Q3 results on lower fuel prices and cost controls.
• eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) topped Q3 expectations but lowered its full-year guidance.
• Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD) beat expectations, sending shares higher.
• Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) better-than-expected Q3 results sent shares higher.
• Harley-Davidson Inc. (NYSE: HOG) international growth couldn't overcome disappointing results.
• Hershey Co. (NYSE: HSY) results in Q3 were in line with analysts' expectations.
• IBM (NYSE: IBM) posted strong Q3 results and offered an optimistic outlook.
• Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) posted strong Q3 results but warned of lower demand in Q4.
• Intuitive Surgical Inc. (NASDAQ: ISRG) strong results easily topped expectations, but shares fell.
• Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) posted strong Q3 results and raised its full-year guidance.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Google, JPMorgan, Coca-Cola, eBay, Intel and others

Earnings highlights: Google, JPMorgan, Coca-Cola, eBay, Intel and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading American Airlines' Q3 earnings fall 74% on fuel costs, orders 42 Boeing 787s

American Airlines' Q3 earnings fall 74% on fuel costs, orders 42 Boeing 787s originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Recycled CEOs, keeping customers in a crummy economy & 7 money traps to avoid - Today in Money 10/6

Recycled CEOs, keeping customers in a crummy economy & 7 money traps to avoid - Today in Money 10/6 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• UBS believes US airlines estimates are too low and will move higher. The firm upgraded AirTran (NYSE: AAI), AMR Corp (NYSE: AMR), Continental (NYSE: CAL), Delta (NYSE: DAL) and Northwest (NYSE: NWA) to Buy from Neutral and JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) to Neutral from Sell.
  
• JMP Securities upgraded DealerTrack (NASDAQ: TRAK) to OUtperform from Market Perform as they believe 2H08 guidance represents a floor and that 2009 estimates are achievable, among other reasons.
• Potash (NYSE: POT) and Mosaic (NYSE: MOS) were raised to Buy from Hold at Soleil.
  
• Argus upgraded Seagate (NYSE: STX) to Buy from Hold on Friday.

• Jefferies downgraded Citrix Systems (NASDAQ: CTXS) to Underperform from Hold as they do not see a catalyst for the company to grow into 2009 consensus estimates. The firm lowered their target price to $25 from $32.
  
• Citigroup said following Lehman's (NYSE: LEH) bankruptcy, they expect a distressed-sale of American International's (NYSE: AIG) MBS portfolio, resulting in the worst quarter yet for the company. Shares were cut to Hold from Buy.
• D.R. Horton (NYSE: DHI) was downgraded to Sell from Hold and Pulte Homes (NYSE: PHM) was downgraded to Hold from Sell at Citigroup.
  
• Merrill downgraded Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) to Neutral from Buy and JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM) to Underperform from Neutral.

Continue reading Analyst calls: AAI, AMR, CAL, POT, AIG, DHI, PHM, GS, JPM, LOW ...

Analyst calls: AAI, AMR, CAL, POT, AIG, DHI, PHM, GS, JPM, LOW ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A significant part of the nation's refinery capacity was off-line after Hurricane Ike moved though the Texas coast line. It now appears that some of those plants may not be operating again for several weeks.

According to Bloomberg, "Almost 20 percent of the nation's oil refining capacity was shut after Hurricane Ike slammed into the Gulf Coast, limiting fuel deliveries and prompting analysts to predict gasoline prices may again reach $4 a gallon."

If the estimates are correct, consumers, the car industry, and airlines could be in for another round of pain. It has been almost universally believed that with crude falling to $100, gas prices would drop closer to $3, which would help an economic recovery in the U.S. A new period of $4 gas would shatter that.

One of the effects of the hope for lower fuel costs was that airline and auto stocks have come off of their lows. Some of the stocks have doubled in less than three months.. For example, AMR Corp. (NYSE: AMR), parent of American Airlines, is now over $10, up from a 52-week low of $4.

The early part of the week may set a trend for share prices in the two sectors. If refineries stay closed for two or three months, some of these stocks may lose half of their value again.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

A return to $4 gas originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 14 Sep 2008 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fannie, Freddie and You: What It Means to the Public
So what does the federal takeover of two mortgage finance giants mean to consumers? Mortgage rates may fall a bit initially but probably not enough to halt the decline in home prices anytime soon. Some delinquent borrowers may have a better shot at modifying their loans and ending up with lower fixed payments. And the rules on new mortgages could slightly change. Oh, and the federal government will help pay for it all, using your tax money.
-- Your Money - Fannie, Freddie and You - What It Means to the Public - NYTimes.com
-- What the rescue means for borrowers - CNNmoney
-- Biggest Losers in Fannie & Freddie Bailouts

Seizure of Fannie & Fredde May Cause More Bank Failures
Government seizure of Fannie and Freddie could cause problems, even failure, for many small banks, even if it helps to stabilize the battered mortgage market. Seizure of Fannie & Freddie may cause wider banks woes - CNNmoney

Continue reading Fannie, Freddie & You: what it means to the public, 10 ways to get rich & big deals on cars - Today in Money 9/8

Fannie, Freddie & You: what it means to the public, 10 ways to get rich & big deals on cars - Today in Money 9/8 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: This retail tide can lift all boats

Cramer on BloggingStocks: This retail tide can lift all boats originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Before the bell: FNM, FRE, AMLN, BMY, AAPL, AMR ...

Before the bell: FNM, FRE, AMLN, BMY, AAPL, AMR ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading American Airlines, British Air, Iberia sign joint venture deal

American Airlines, British Air, Iberia sign joint venture deal originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.