Delta Delivers Most Profitable December Quarter in Its History

Image Source: Colin Brown By Brian Nelson, CFA On January 10, Delta Air Lines (DAL) posted fourth quarter 2024 results that beat on both the top and bottom lines. Adjusted operating revenue increased 5.7% in the fourth quarter, and the firm leveraged the top line growth into 30.4% expansion in adjusted operating income. Its adjusted operating margin in the quarter hit 12% compared with 9.7% in the same period a year ago. Adjusted pre-tax income was 47% higher on a year over year basis, while its adjusted pre-tax margin reached 10.8% versus 7.8% in last year’s quarter. Adjusted net income increased 45.6%, while adjusted diluted earnings per share expanded to $1.85 in the quarter versus $1.74 consensus and $1.28 in last … Read more

Boeing’s Financials Are Absolutely Frightening

By Brian Nelson, CFA On November 18, 2020, Boeing (BA) announced that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) withdrew its order that had grounded its 737-8s and 737-9s (737 MAX) that had been involved in two terrible accidents during the past few years, a Lion Air flight that killed 189 people and an Ethiopian Airlines jet crash that claimed the lives of 157 more. We’ll never forget these tragedies and the impact on the families and the aviation industry, more generally.   In January 2017, we had added Boeing to the Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio, but we had removed it March 16, 2018, prior to the unfortunate and high-profile accidents that occurred several months after. During the short time it … Read more

Fair Value Estimates Matter – Case Study: Boeing

Image Source: Boeing’s share price converged to our estimate of intrinsic value in the summer of 2019. The plane maker continues to navigate tumultuous skies with its 737 MAX. By Brian Nelson, CFA Dow Jones Industrial Average component Boeing (BA) continues to dominate news headlines, and not for good reason. Let’s revisit our March 2019 article for some background: The news for Boeing hasn’t been this bad since the doldrums of the 787 Dreamliner build some years ago now. The 737 narrowbody, the line-up all over the news of late, is the workhorse of the industry, and Boeing’s next generation 737 MAX has been the fastest-selling plane in the aerospace giant’s history. Most countries around the globe, including the US, … Read more

Boeing’s Massive Backlog Still Growing, Near-Term Margin Concerns Crop Up

Image Source: Robert Sullivan Commercial aerospace giant Boeing continues to ride a wave of strong demand as its massive backlog continues to grow, but a write down related to the troubled KC-46 tanker appears to have investors thinking twice about its near-term margin performance. By Kris Rosemann Shares of former simulated Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio idea Boeing (BA) faced a bit of selling pressure in the July 25 trading session following its second quarter earnings release as a write down related to additional costs in the troubled KC-46 tanker program helped caused a margin guidance reduction in its ‘Defense, Space & Security’ segment. Delivery of the first aircraft in the program is expected in October 2018, more than two years … Read more

Boeing’s Long-Term Strength Intact; Embraer Deal Nearing?

Image Source: Robert Sullivan Boeing’s first-quarter report was highlighted by stable top-line growth, impressive bottom-line expansion, and increased full-year guidance. The long-term health of its business is supported by its massive backlog of unfulfilled deliveries. By Kris Rosemann Former simulated Dividend Growth Newsletter idea Boeing (BA) turned in a solid first quarter report April 25, and the drivers of its long-term strength remain fully intact as it continues to generate impressive levels of free cash flow and pursue a deal with Embraer’s (ERJ) commercial aviation operations. Revenue in the first quarter grew 6% on a year-over-year basis thanks to higher commercial deliveries, defense contract volume and services growth. The company’s GAAP operating margin in the period expanded more than 2 … Read more

Brazil: Sorry For Your Losses

The Brazilian equity markets are in free fall. “Brazil is in a deepening recession, which may grow into depression, as unemployment continues to rise and corporate credit quality deteriorates. Those that made a bundle investing in Brazil’s commodity-driven export boom have been looking to cash out, if they haven’t already, and the real continues to weaken on deteriorating sovereign credit and rampant inflation. Any interest rate hike by the US could have the unintended effect of sending Brazil’s local yields to the mid-teens to account for incremental currency risk and credit deterioration, which would only exacerbate debt service costs as a percentage of the country’s shrinking GDP. This, in turn, could be the catalyst for even more asset flight out … Read more

Boeing’s Lift Off, Lockheed’s Caution, and United Tech’s Outlook

Image Source: Rob Buhlman Just how healthy is the commercial aerospace market? Very — if the size of Boeing’s backlog is any indication. Let’s have a look. By Brian Nelson, CFA In August 2016, we wrote an extensive update on the commercial aerospace market, “Boeing Declares Victory But Farnborough Disappoints,” and we encourage those that are digging into this follow-up note to read that piece first before proceeding. In this note, dated Wednesday, January 25, we’d like to build on that piece and update investors on a few insights we’ve gathered within the aerospace market. First, what was once a key company to assess commercial aerospace demand is no longer. As of November 1, Alcoa (AA) has been severed into … Read more

Alcoa Continues Swoon, Revises Aerospace 2016 Outlook to 6%-8% Expansion

Image Source: Boeing; image source: Alcoa Alcoa (AA) kicked off first-quarter 2016 earnings season April 12, but nobody reading our work should have much interest in shares. Our $10 fair value estimate for the company explains the lack of opportunity, and we laid in out in no uncertain terms in April 2015 that we thought, “The Time to Consider Owning Alcoa Has Passed.” Even a few months before that write-up, we said the aluminum giant was trading at a peak multiple on peak earnings, a classic valuation “no-no,” and since that time, shares of Alcoa have fallen more than 40%, “Alcoa Kicks Off Fourth Quarter (2014) Earnings Season:” From our Jan 13, 2015 article: Would we ever considering owning Alcoa … Read more

La Decada Perdida Revisitado? Brazil’s Economy Is Teetering on Disaster

The silhouette of Christ Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. The 2014 World Cup and preparations for the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympic Games should have given a boost to Brazil’s (EWZ) economic health, but the country is facing its toughest times in decades. Once lauded for its tremendous economic growth prospects thanks to a rising middle class and a commodity boom, Brazil is now reeling from public discontent related to inflation, corruption, complicated regulations, and a burdensome debt load. The corruption scandal at state-run Petrobras (PBR) may only be the tip of the iceberg, and it has sent shockwaves within political circles going all the way to the top. Protests in the country have been recurring. Brazil, the world’s seventh-largest economy … Read more