The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Mattel, JetBlue Airways, Delta Air Lines, United Continental Holdings and Southwest Airlines

CHICAGO, April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Mattel Inc. (NYSE: MAT), JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq: JBLU), Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL), United Continental Holdings Inc. (NYSE: UAL) and Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV).

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter:

Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst Blog:

Mattel Reports In Line

Mattel Inc. (NYSE: MAT) reported first-quarter 2011 earnings of 5 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but missed the prior-year quarter earnings of 7 cents. The year-over-year earnings dropped due higher cost, but the company witnessed strong sales from its brands including Barbie, Hot Wheels and Other Girl Brands.

Quarter Highlights

During the quarter, net sales were $951.9 million, up 8% year over year and also above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $907 million. Net sales included favorable foreign currency impact of 1%. Worldwide gross sales were $1,041.1 million, ahead of $960.3 million recorded in the prior-year period. U.S. gross sales improved 7% year over year and international gross sales rose 10% year over year.

Worldwide gross sales for the Mattel Girls & Boys Brands business unit were up 15% year over year to $656.4 million. Worldwide gross sales for Barbie (up 14%), Other Girls Brand (up 38%) and Hot Wheels (up 6%) witnessed significant upside. However, Fisher-Price Brands sales dropped 2% to $309.9 million while the American Girl line grew 4% to $73.0 million.

Gross profit rose 10% from the prior-year quarter to $473.1 million and gross margin expanded 60 basis points (bps) year over year to 49.7% due to a 60 bps plunge in cost of sales. However, operating income plummeted 19% to $36.8 million and operating margin contracted 120 bps to 3.9% due to higher other selling and administrative expense ( up 190 bps).

JetBlue Traffic Rises

The discounted U.S. airline JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq: JBLU) reported a 7.1% year-over-year traffic increase in March 2011. Airline traffic is measured in billions of revenue passenger miles, which implies one mile flown by one passenger.

On a year-over-year basis, capacity (or, available seat miles) grew 4.2% and load factor (percentage of seats filled with passengers) rose 230 basis point (bps) to 83.6% from 81.3% in March 2010.

JetBlue reported stronger March traffic results compared to its largest rivals Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and United Continental Holdings Inc. (NYSE: UAL). Delta' traffic inched up 0.5%, while United Continental traffic dipped 2.2% in March.

We believe overall economic conditions continue to show signs of improvement in the form of increased demand and improved yield. JetBlue benefited from this global economic recovery. Since JetBlue provides point-to-point services within its domestic routes, the company has not been affected by the severe natural calamity in Japan.

However, surging fuel cost will have adverse effects on the company's profitability. But, to some extent, the losses will be minimized due to JetBlue's hedging strategy to manage fuel price volatility.

The low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) recorded a 9.8% year-over-year rise in March traffic. This was well above JetBlue's air traffic growth of 7.1%.

JetBlue is well positioned for growth due to its low cost, strong brand name,  its  superior  in-flight  services  including  LiveTV,  hedging program and  a  nonunionized  workforce. Management expects 2011 to be a profitable year based on an improving revenue environment and continues to focus on achieving long-term sustainable growth.

In the first quarter of 2011, JetBlue's traffic climbed 7% to 6.9 billion from 6.5 billion in the year-ago quarter. This increase was based on higher capacity (up 1% year over year) and expanded load factor (up 460 bps year over year).

We believe JetBlue will continue to benefit from rising demand, higher fares, cost control measures, additional ancillary revenue opportunities and future commercial partnerships. However, fuel price volatility, higher dependence on the New York metropolitan market, competitive pressures and automated technology keep us on the sidelines. Furthermore, JetBlue does not pay any dividend to its shareholders.

We are currently maintaining our long-term Neutral recommendation on JetBlue supported by the Zacks #3 Rank (Hold).

Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter

About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today:

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch
YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ZacksInvestmentNews

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
http://www.zacks.com
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
[email protected]

SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.