Reply #20: Southwest Airlines 4Q Profit Down 19 Pct

[citizen snips]

DALLAS (AP) -- Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Co. said Wednesday its fourth-quarter profit declined 19 percent from a year ago as fuel prices and security costs increased, but operating profit rose on strong revenue growth to meet Wall Street expectations.

Net income fell to $57 million, or 7 cents per share, in the three months ended Dec. 31 from $70 million, or 9 cents per share, a year ago Excluding special items, the airline posted profit of $96 million, or 12 cents per share, up from $81 million, or 10 cents per share, last year.

Revenue grew 15 percent to $2.28 billion from $1.99 billion in the year-ago period.

The results were in line with analysts' consensus estimates, according to a poll by Thomson Financial.

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http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070117/earns_southwest_airlines.html?.v=5