In the third quarter, Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) is expected to post narrow losses. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Southwest is a loss of 4 cents per share. Southwest may see a drain in its profits from non-cash charges in its fuel hedging program. As of June 30, 2009, the company had fuel derivative instruments in place for approximately 30% of its expected third quarter 2009 jet fuel consumption. Though revenue remains a problem for the airline, it is trying to entice the passengers with cheaper prices. More traffic and less capacity or available seats led to a rise in average occupancy for Southwest in September. Load factor jumped to 74.7%, a gain of more than 11% from Sept. 2008. These full loads were built with cheap fares and other promotions which the airline has been offering of late. There have been signs that demand ...

After a two-day “holiday” to start the week–Martin Luther King Day today (Monday) and Inauguration Day tomorrow (Tuesday)–it’ll be back to business on Wednesday as Congress begins to grill U.S. Treasury Secretary nominee Timothy Geithner – the appointment many observers believe to be the most important of the new Barack Obama administration.

Geithner, currently the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, is viewed by Democrats and Republicans alike as probably the most qualified candidate to succeed current Treasury Secretary Henry M. “Hank” Paulson Jr., since whoever fills this post will have to be able to step right in and make whatever moves are needed to fix a financial system that seems to get worse by the week. Geithner is actually viewed as perhaps the one candidate with the qualifications, personality and personality needed for success.

But there’s a problem.  The man chosen by President-elect Obama

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OPEC is scared, oil keeps dropping, and there's only one thing to buy besides the DUG.  The Airline Stocks.  Yes, the horrible never-hit-a-profit Airline sector but have to stay in business.  Its time to Fly and Buy! Delta Airline President Ed Bastian said today his airline could see a $5 billion benefit in 2009 if oil prices stay near $50. Gitty up. However, Airlines are also posting their monthly results this week, and thus far it's shaping up to be another period of weakness. Come on, our economy sucks, but the low oil prices are going to ...

Airline industry has been one of the most beaten in last year. AMEX Airline Index (XAL) is down more than 50% in last months and but on July it had been even almost 70% down. What is interesting is that recent low has been formed on July. Compared to other industries where recent lows have been reached during October after heavy sell-off. Earlier turnover is due to declining crude oil and gasoline prices which are down more that 50% since July peak.Bad news about global economies will still weigh on crude oil and decreasing demand will send price lower. This will fuel airlines companies. Technically, chart above shows recent low higher than previous bottom. Usually it is strong bullish pattern, the same seen in early 2003 before AMEX Airline Index had bounced. Have a look also to Adam Hewisons video with ...

The market knows from experience that infrastructure problems can emerge long after a hurricane strikes; early reports following Katrina's landfall in 2005 erroneously said the flooding in New Orleans was not going to be problematic. Stocks fell in overseas trading Monday after crude fell below $111 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, and their declines will weigh on the Dow Jones industrials and other indexes. First place to look, the airlines compaines and their stocks. Fun stocks to play include: Aug 29 4:03pm ET † Company Name ...