Southwest (LUV) Reports Q4 Earnings: What Key Metrics Have to Say

For the quarter ended December 2024, Southwest Airlines (LUV) reported revenue of $6.93 billion, up 1.6% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.56, compared to $0.37 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.95 billion, representing a surprise of -0.23%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +24.44%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.45.While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.Here is how Southwest performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts: Load factor: 79.2% versus the five-analyst average estimate of 81.8%. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs): 34.47 billion versus the four-analyst average estimate of 35.71 billion. Available seat miles (ASMs): 43.53 billion versus the four-analyst average estimate of 43.7 billion. Passenger revenue per ASM (PRASM): 14.49 cents compared to the 14.45 cents average estimate based on four analysts. CASM, excluding Fuel and oil expense, special items, and profitsharing expense: 12.19 cents versus the four-analyst average estimate of 12.23 cents. Revenue Per Available Seat Mile (RASM): 15.92 cents compared to the 15.9 cents average estimate based on four analysts. Fuel costs per gallon, including fuel tax: 2.38 $/gal versus the three-analyst average estimate of 2.58 $/gal. Fuel consumed: 531 Mgal versus 534.92 Mgal estimated by three analysts on average. CASM, excluding Fuel and oil expense and special items: 12.31 cents versus the three-analyst average estimate of 12.25 cents. Operating Revenues- Passenger [$M]: $6.31 billion versus the six-analyst average estimate of $6.30 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +1.6%. Operating Revenues- Other: $579 million versus the six-analyst average estimate of $589.87 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +2.1%. Operating Revenues- Freight [$M]: $45 million versus the six-analyst average estimate of $48.40 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +2.3%. View all Key Company Metrics for Southwest here>>>Shares of Southwest have returned -5.9% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.2% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.5 Stocks Set to DoubleEach was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2024. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +143.0%, +175.9%, +498.3% and +673.0%.Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks