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For the first time ever, domestic top-notch carrier Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) introduced flights to five cities in one day.  This move underlines the company’s endeavors to expand its foothold outside the 48 contiguous states and the continuous success of the ongoing integration of AirTran Airways. From Apr 14, Southwest commenced nonstop services from Charlotte to [...]

After experiencing not-so-favorable traffic figures over the last two months, Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) witnessed traffic and capacity growth in March 2013. The results were influenced by the increased number of passengers traveled and trips undertaken. The company’s traffic – measured in revenue passenger miles (RPMs) – was 9.44 billion for the reported month, up 4.0% [...]

Leading U.S. low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) reported mixed fourth quarter and full-year 2012 results, owing to contributions from the strategic steps taken by management and better bookings, partially offset higher expenses associated with wages as well as fuel. The company’s fourth quarter adjusted earnings were 9 cents per share that slivered past the Zacks [...]

We upgrade our recommendation on Southwest Airlines (LUV) to Outperform from Neutral based on a number of constructive actions adopted by management. We believe that the company remains committed to sustain its brand and operational excellence via its cost-cutting measures, fleet rightsizing, addition of new and attractive destinations. The company's Evolve retrofit program, steady capacity growth, [...]

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) has announced that it tends to add new fees next year in an attempt to increase revenue. The airline has popularized its free baggage policy, and the new fees it will implement include increased fees for overweight bags and third bags, higher fees for fare on AirTran, and other fees associated [...]

Leading global passenger air service provider Southwest Airlines (LUV) announced plans of combining its existing call center operation in Atlanta and two other in Georgia to form a single unit, which will be located in Atlanta These three units were part of AirTran Holdings – that was acquired by Southwest Airlines in May last year and [...]

Before the opening bell, the largest U.S. low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) reported its third quarter 2012 adjusted earnings of 13 cents per share that slivered past the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. The quarter’s earnings declined 13.3% from 15 cents in the year-ago quarter. Though the company’s better-than-expected performance was credited to several [...]

While value investing and short-term trading seem to be at opposite ends of the investment spectrum, there are ways short-term traders can use long-term value investing principles to profit. Value investors look for cheap stocks and buy in the hope that over the long term there will be a very large move in the stock. [...]

After several attempts in the past few weeks, U.S. air carriers finally succeeded in raising fares to offset steeper fuel prices. This time, the low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) led the way for the board-based increase in ticket prices. The company raised fares by $10 per round trip on short routes that cover less than [...]

We have downgraded our long-term recommendation on Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) to Neutral from Outperform as the positive impact of falling fuel prices has largely been priced in the stock. In addition, a weakening economy is restricting the demand for business travel that would hurt the carrier’s profitability going forward. The company reported impressive earnings in [...]

The U.S. air carriers are expanding in-flight entertainment options and adding novel features to their services in order to distinguish themselves from their major rivals. Accordingly, the largest U.S. low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) plans to introduce wireless inflight entertainment services to its passengers onboard five aircraft. Initially, the company will offer seven sports and [...]

We are upgrading our recommendation on Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) to Outperform based on falling fuel prices and strong growth opportunities. The company reported lower year-over-year earnings in the first quarter but outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Fuel prices, the major threat to the company's profitability, have dropped, which has made airline operations less expensive. This [...]

Traditionally, investing in the airline industry has been fraught with peril. But there are always exceptions to the rule. In its earlier days, investors could have done quite well by buying and holding on to Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV). When it was first founded 28 years ago, the company had a reputation for avoiding the [...]

We are downgrading our long-term recommendation on Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) to Underperform owing to feeble macro data points in the entire airline industry and the company’s weak outlook for the first quarter. Theentire airline industry is struggling with higher fuel prices and a slow moving U.S. economy. We expect conditions to worsen further over the [...]

US budget airline Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) will be revealing their first quarter 2012 earnings before the markets open on April 19th 2012.  Southwest has had a tough year due to rocketing fuel costs and has watched its ESP tumble by a shocking 266% from first quarter 2012 – to a predicted $0.05 this quarter. Despite surprise [...]

We are downgrading our recommendation on Southwest Airlines (LUV) to Underperform as the company is not expected to report profits in the first quarter this year. The company reported lower year-over-year earnings in the fourth quarter but outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Although Southwest is poised to benefit from fleet rightsizing, its Evolve retrofit program, steady [...]

Stock Performance: Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) stock picks reported the fall of 1.29% and closed at $8.40 whereas total traded volume stood at 3.32 million shares for the Wednesday closing day as compare to its average volume stood at 8.85 million. The (stock picks) current market price is 0.50% more than its last 50 days simple moving [...]

One of the leading discounted carriers in the US, Southwest Airlines (LUV) reported that the company’s union of flight attendants has entered into a tentative Seniority Integration Agreement with the union of flight attendants of AirTran Airways. The agreement has already been approved by the executive boards of the Transport Workers Union 556, representing the union [...]

One of the leading domestic carrier, Southwest Airlines (LUV) ordered 208 Boeing (BA) 737 MAX jetliners worth $19 billion, representing the largest ever order in terms of value and numbers. The deliveries of the new order are expected to begin from 2017, bringing the total order of Southwest to 350 Boeing aircraft for 2012 through [...]

Before the opening bell, the low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) declared its third quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 15 cents per share. The quarter’s results beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 13 cents but remained below the year-ago earnings of 26 cents mainly due to the negative impacts of fuel hedging, which suffered losses [...]

When Southwest Airlines (LUV) moved into Delta’s (DAL) home base in the busiest airport on the planet everyone expected a seat war in Atlanta. But that’s not going to happen. Why? Because from their starting positions DAL has to put 4 times as many seats as LUV in the air to cover a single market share point. Delta has a 4 to 1 disadvantage. Four times more exposure to LUV’s low prices in a seat war will dig deeply into DAL’s cash. BACKSTORY On September 27, 2010 Southwest...

NYSE:FAA, NYSE:DAL, NYSE:UAL, NYSE:LUV, NASDAQ:JBLU

ABOUT Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV): Southwest was incorporated in 1967 and situated in Dallas, Texas. LUV is a passenger airline company which offers scheduled air transportation in the United States. The company had 548 Boeing 737 aircraft which was serving 69 cities in 35 States throughout the United States in December 31st, 2010. In December 31st, [...]

NYSE:FAA, NYSE:LUV, NYSE:AMR, NYSE:UAL, NYSE:DAL

Although business headlines still tout earnings numbers, many investors have moved past net earnings as a measure of a company's economic output. That's because earnings are very often less trustworthy than cash flow, since earnings are more open to manipulation based on dubious judgment calls. Earnings' unreliability is one of the reasons Foolish [...]

The largest U.S. low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines (LUV) plans to keep next year’s capacity relatively flat with the 2011 level. The company might not increase flights even in 2013. The decision was based on surging fuel prices and economic weakness. Given steep rises in fuel prices, the company is taking cautious steps to counter weaker demand, [...]

Southwest Airlines (LUV) is mulling over raising airfares for fall-winter season travel. After the losses post Hurricane Irene,the airline industry is looking at potential benefits fromhigher travel demand during the holidays and Southwest Airlines is no exception. During late summer, the carrier had offered a limited period sale on fall-winter travel from September 8 to November17. [...]

One of the leading low cost carriers, Southwest Airlines Co.’s (LUV) board of directors has announced a share repurchase authorization of $500 million. In 2008, the company repurchased 4.4 million shares for approximately $54 million under a $500 million program announced that same year. However, given weak market conditions, management had suspended the buyback plan. The company [...]

Before the opening bell, the low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) declared its second quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 15 cents per share, which trailed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 21 cents and year-ago earnings of 29 cents. The second quarter results include the financial results of AirTran, following its acquisition on May 2, 2011. Adjusted [...]

The leading low cost carrier, Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) is slated to release its second quarter earnings on August 4 before market opens. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second quarter is pegged at 21 cents, representing a decline of 29.02% from the year-ago level. With respect to earnings surprise, over the trailing four quarters, [...]

NYSE:GLD, NYSE:FAA, NYSE:FXE, NYSE:LUV

Southwest Airlines (LUV) announced discounts on its flight tickets for summer travel. The discounted airfares will vary from $39 to $179 each way across the U.S. The sale ends on July 14 and is being levied on travel between August 23 and December 14. The airfare sale comes with conditions like no travel on Fridays and [...]

Southwest Airlines (LUV), a leading domestic carrier in the U.S. announced discounts on its flight tickets for fall travel. The offer was made on the occasion of the company’s fortieth anniversary on June 21. Together with its subsidiary, AirTran, the carrier has announced subsidized one-way fares at $40, $80 and $120 at the end of peak [...]

We are maintaining our long-term Neutral recommendation on the largest U.S. low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines (LUV) following its first quarter 2011 results. The stock retains the Zacks # 3 Rank (Hold). Southwest Airlines delivered strong results in terms of revenue and traffic growth that largely compensated higher fuel expenses. First quarter earnings were in line with [...]

The largest U.S. low-cost carrier, Southwest Airlines (LUV) finally completed its $1.4 billion merger of AirTran Holdings Inc, following all regulatory clearances. The merger represents a unique opportunity for Southwest Airlines to expand its presence in key markets. The combination of the two low-cost carriers represents the third major U.S. airline merger in the last three [...]

Before the opening bell, the low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) declared its first quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 3 cents per share. The quarter’s results were at par with the Zacks Consensus Estimate as well as year-ago earnings. The company delivered strong results in terms of revenue and traffic growth that largely offset higher [...]

Before the opening bell, the low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) declared its first quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 3 cents per share. The quarter’s results were at par with the Zacks Consensus Estimate as well as year-ago earnings. The company delivered strong results in terms of revenue and traffic growth that largely offset higher [...]

A review of data from the damaged Southwest Air (NYSE: LUV) 737 raised questions about Boeing’s (NYSE: BA) manufacturing process  (Reuters) Sony (NYSE: SNE) has begun to market a tablet PC (Reuters) Silver prices were volatile ahead of an option...

First Solar (NASDAQ: FLSR) fell 7% on concerns that the US government’s financial support of renewable energy will falter. The federal government’s move toward austerity makes it likely that this threat to earnings and sales will worsen. ...

McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) said it plans to hire 50,000 new workers on April 19 in an effort launched by both the Oak Brook, Ill., parent company and its franchise restaurants. The one-day event will be held to bring in and hire full and part-time positions in close to 14,000 [...]

Another batch of hot stocks, courtesy of Dow Jones: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. agreed to acquire Pfizer’s Capsugel business for $2.38 billion in cash, as the drug giant also disclosed its application to market a treatment for a deadly gene...

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) plunged as much as 5% in Monday's pre-market trading after the company  said that said that it will scrub 100 more flights today and reported “small, subsurface cracks” in two jets during inspections for metal fatigue after a plane’s fuselage tore open in flight. The dropped flights follow 300 cancellations yesterday, or 9 percent of the schedule, said Chris Mainz, a spokesman. Checks on 21 Boeing Co. 737-300 planes found two that needed repair, and...

Southwest Airlines (LUV) is the largest airline in the United States, based on domestic passengers carried. Southwest Airlines operates more than 3,100 flights a day, as of December 31, 2010, utilizing a fleet of 548 Boeing 737 aircraft. Southwest Airlines currently serves 71 cities in 36 states. It also provides [...]

If you travel often by air, participating in Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards program and United Airlines' Mileage Plus will take you a long way -- practically every major U.S. route is serviced by one of the two airlines. Since both airlines are curr...

One of the seven strategies in “The Amazement Revolution” is Walk the Walk. That means that you don’t say one thing and do something else.  You are genuine and what you see is what you get.  One of the role-models in this s...

There has been some grumbling on the credit forums that Southwest's upcoming changes to its Rapid Rewards program -- and its recent acquisition of budget airline AirTran -- could be bad for cardholders. (By the way, Southwest's credit card is still one...

In Straight from the Gut Jack Welch famously said: If you’re not #1 or #2, fix it, sell it, or close it. Jack’s meaning was clear: bigger is better. And for decades nearly every CEO on the planet accepted Jack’s dictum. But finally times are changing. And Trefis, an ingenious stock valuation suite, is leading the way to a new understanding of the asymmetry between the big and the little guy’s market share. For example, on November 19, 2010 Trefis … … forecast market...

The call to action among leading companies in recent years has been that customer service is the new marketing. This is true but it has always been true, companies as diverse as Southwest Airlines, Avis, Lexus and Johnson & Johnson have been at the forefront of the trend to use great customer service as a [...]

The Washington Post (NYSE:WPO) said Friday its third-quarter earnings more than tripled to $60.9 million, or $6.84 a share, from $17.1 million, or $1.81 a share, in the year-ago period. On an adjusted basis, the Washington, D.C., media company said it earned $9.12 a share. Analysts polled by FactSet Research were [...]

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced today that the Company flew 6.9 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in October 2010, an 8.3 percent increase from the 6.3 billion RPMs flown in October 2009. Available seat miles increased 5.0 percent to 8.4 billion from the October 2009 level of 8.0 billion. The load factor for the month was 81.7 percent, compared to 79.2 percent for the same period last year. For October 2010, passenger revenue per ASM is estimated to have increased...