United Airlines has earned $473 million since the start of 2018 as travel demand remained strong throughout the quarter, Jim Corridore, airline analyst at CFRA Research writes in a research note.
“United is gaining share across all key metrics and cargo continues to be a bright spot. Despite rising fuel costs and the negative impact from the recent events, United appears well positioned to be a top performer for the full year,” he writes.
The message from the market has been that the airline is doing great, and United stock has seen an increase in its value more than 20% since mid-February.
Flights delay blamed for sick passenger booted from plane on Facebook Live Video
U.S. passenger rights group that filed lawsuit against United because no one spoke up
According to ATSG, United saw load factor stay at 83.4%, after an 80.6% last year. In the first quarter, its capacity increased by 5% year-over-year.
The company has been on a tear so far this year. It is the top performer on the Dow Jones industrial average, and is the top stock on the S&P 500, which has gone up more than 20% over the same period.
“This positive momentum should continue for a while,” Corridore writes.
Source: CFRA Research
