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Westjet fender bender ?


Kip Powick

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Winnipeg Free Press.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Call it a fender bender between jetliners. On Monday evening, a plane that left Winnipeg and landed in Toronto touched wings with another plane on the tarmac at Pearson International Airport, a WestJet spokeswoman confirmed.

There were no injuries, however, the two planes were damaged after the slight collision near one of the gates.

WestJet continues to investigate the incident.

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Guest rattler

Can not find any info re fender bender but.....

WestJet upgraded to buy, eight reasons why

Posted: November 24, 2008, 3:01 PM by Jonathan Ratner

Market Call, airlines, WestJet, valuations, Air Canada, fuel

The slowing economy may put a crimp on demand for travel in Canada in the coming quarters, but WestJet Airlines Ltd. is still an attractive investment option for some. The stock is trading at its lowest point since the weeks following 9/11.

The airline’s share price represents a compelling valuation and investors with any sort of time horizon should buy the stock, Versant Partners analyst Cameron Doerksen told clients. His price target of $13 represents upside of roughly 50%. The stock has lost more than 40% of its value in the past three months and now trades around $8.70 per share.

Mr. Doerksen upgraded his rating on WestJet to “buy” from “neutral” and provided eight reasons to buy the stock.

The stock is trading at post 9/11 lows – their lowest point since November – arguably one of the worst crises to ever hit the airline sector.

Valuation at historic low (only 7.8x forward four quarter earnings) and below book value per share of $8.32.

Fuel prices have dropped significantly. This makes up 36% of the company’s cost structure and “should act as a buffer to any decline in passenger travel.”

Domestic industry capacity is shrinking, which should keep load factors high and provide some price support for air fares. Air Canada’s reductions are also considered an opportunity for WestJet to increase market share.

WestJet has a sustainable profitability advantage over Air Canada, which should help in tough times.

Its balance sheet is strong with $806-million in cash at the end of the third quarter. It also has no pension obligations, unlike Air Canada.

The deal with Southwest Airlines Co., which allows U.S. customers to book WestJet flights on www.southwest.com, is the first stage of a more comprehensive code share agreement. It is seen as a positive step as it opens up the U.S. to WestJet fliers.

The fourth quarter is tracking to be similar to last year. “Given the economic backdrop, we view this outlook as reasonably positive” and solid results could provide the stock with a much-needed boost.

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