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Matt - I appreciate your PM.....
thank you for your help.
My Best to You ~ LisaMarie
I sent an e-mail on the contact page but haven't rec'd a reply - please direct me to who to contact to cancel my account.
I paid for the year when I signed up and am not interested in any money back - I simply need to have my account deleted.
Thank you in advance - LisaMarie
Wow - it still amazes me how gas prices fluctuate day-to-day even hour-by-hour!!
Hey Sumi! One of the best things in life is a home grown garden!! I wish we could plant more than we do but I've resorted to larger planters on the back porch for my veggie plants. Our property used to be cotton fields and the nutrients are zapped out of the ground but the main thing is our extremely hard dirt/clay.
Guess what happened to me this afternoon?
I'm not sure if this has happened to anyone else but so far it's happened to me three times in the last two months. While I'm pumping gas at the gas station I've been approached about helping other's to pay gas. This happened to me again this afternoon - I'm not sure if I have this glow about me with an arrow pointing that says "Ask her for gas money!"
In fact, today I hear "excuse me, uh, um excuse me" and at that point I realized he was talking to me - I'm usually in a zone when pumping gas and trying to guess when it will stop (today I needed a 1/4 tank to put me on full and it cost $33.75 at $3.94 gallon).
Anyways, I thought they needed directions but he was very humbled and asked if I could help them out by paying for some gas - he was in an older mini-van with his wife and kids. I put the cap back on my gas and smiled - told him just a minute and gave him enough to put a half a tank in his vehicle - which he did.
The other two times I did the identical same thing too - the very first time I was approached I was stunned but I think this is going to be happening more and more at gas stations.
BTW, we've hit our warmer months already in North Alabama..........I'd say we're now about 27 degrees cooler than the sun's surface - haha! I'm a commercial photographer and all my shoots are outdoors sooooo I can attest that it's going to be hot~hot~hot this summer - already in the 90's here in Bama!!
Take Care =)
Hey Sumi - I check your site just about every week and appreciate all the articles you
post here. I commented back in April that gas was $3.35 when I was in Atlanta and
in Huntsville it was $3.12......well it's now $3.89 with premium & diesel being over $4.
Also, I saw a piece last night on Larry King regarding what
are some people going to do in the winter with their home gas bills? I've always paid months
ahead on our utilities and am thinking of upping the anti to paying it ahead at least six months (or even more) now.
Thanks again for the updates!
Hey There VI...this still is in a downward spiral and I don't think the bottom has been reached yet.
I don't own or plan on buying but am following for personal reasons with a "case study" lesson.
Just be careful because while it seems like a bargain you'll be kicking yourself when the bid/ask is
in the .00 or even .000 range.
Agree...totally agree in more ways than one.
Thanks for being a part of this board....I'm taking some advice
from a photog friend and this will be my last post. While I
thought this could be a different venue to share it's definitely
not the forum to do that - in fact I even ditched
every penny stock I owned this week and got out all
together. There was a point in my life where I thought very
different of this ruthless penny world but it doesn't fit who
I am anymore....I share my investing strategies with like minds
such as Dave Ramsey. He is definitely my hero.
Thank you Chris for such kinds words, you know where to
e-mail me and I'm sure we'll chat on OSP too.
Your Friend....LisaMarie
Thank you - that's soooooo very sweet of you!
LisaMarie
{ggggggg} How can Will Ferrell not make anyone laugh?!?!
Hope you got awesome pictures (albeit I'm sure you did)!!
LisaMare =)
**Monday iPod Love**
This is a pretty funky mix and another great treadmill mix by me/for me
AND
how can you not have a fun workout with Jackie Moon's "Love Me Sexy" -
Gotta love Will Ferrell!!
Bleeding Love......Leona Lewis
Yeah!......Usher featuring Lil' Jon & Ludacris
Hung Up......Madonna
Promiscuous.......Nelly Furtado & Timbaland
Cha Cha Slide (Original Live Platinum Band Mix).......Mr. C
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy).......Big & Rich
Good Vibrations......Loleatta Holloway & Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch
The Rhythm of the Night......Corona
Under Pressure......David Bowie & Queen
Let Love In......The Goo Goo Dolls
Man on the Moon......R.E.M.
Candy Rain......Soul for Real
Love Me Sexy......Jackie Moon
Bye Bye Blackbird......Joe Cocker
Celebrate Me Home......Ruben Studdard
I think this may be the week that the teens start to appear????!!!!
I can scratch the Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 USM off my list now -
it's looking really sweet with the rest of my Canon gear!!
I'll have to check that out - thanks! I've been adding shares here & there and really believe in this company. Good Luck to you too!
LisaMarie
*~*Excellent*~*
Hey There - I've been out of pocket but have read some of that thread on OSP and also saw Fletcher's YouTube skit - yes it made me giggle
especially since my sense of humor is pretty much off beat anyways! Thanks for posting it here - I watched it one more time and had to smile
because he looks cute in his Charlie Brown sweater - heehee
I hope you had an awesome wedding to shoot! I'm planning on doing my first "Trash the Dress" in Atlanta - meeting up with other OSP'ers in May.
The shoot is a mock-up session but it will be a first for me and did I mention that I'm excited?!
LisaMarie
Hey ChrisH! My latest purchases are the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 and
the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8.....both are great starter lenses for me and
I was hoping to test them out at Piedmont Park in Atlanta but
it was raining when I had some free time.
The others I'd like to add to my camera bag are:
the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM,
the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM,
the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM,
the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM,
the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
I can relate to how easy it is to become a lens junkie! I'm already a
font, actions, and brushes addict so I guess I'll add lenses to the
list now {ggg}. Take care!
I check this board daily and have bought twice on the dips - I think it will draw attention
when news starts to roll out. IMO this is getting ready for a nice run.
I {heart} Nashville, like this board, and I assume the 86 that have it bookmarked like it too!!
You'll love it!
Retail stocks rise; Talbots retrieves some valuation
By William Spain, MarketWatch
Last update: 9:58 a.m. EDT April 18, 2008
CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Retail stocks were looking good early Friday as the sector's main indicator rose nearly 3% out of the open. The S&P Retail Index ($RLX:, , )
gained more than 10 points to touch 404.43, the first time it has cracked the 400 mark in more than a week.
Shares of Talbots (TLB:8.00, +0.17, +2.2%) , cut in half over the last two days after the company lost a line of credit, swung to the positive, gaining 7% to $8.37.
The apparel retailer said before the start of trading that it still expects to report a 2008 loss of 7 cents to 17 cents a share, compared with a loss of $3.56 a share
a year earlier. It also expects a profit from continuing operations of 47 cents to 52 cents a share with top-line growth of about 3% on "slightly negative" same-store sales.
If that holds true, it'll have sufficient liquidity to continue its turnaround, Talbots said.
Other retail stocks were also on the rise with
Wal-Mart (WMT:56.74, +0.08, +0.1%) adding about 1% to $57.10,
Target (TGT:54.95, +1.54, +2.9%) rising more than 2% to $54.73
and Macy's (M:23.93, +1.24, +5.5%) trading up nearly 5% at $23.73.
William Spain is a MarketWatch staff writer in Chicago.
Absolutely - I'm strictly watching from the sidelines at this point!
Have a nice weekend!!
Now this is how I like to end a week......
EXPT was good to me =)
Fabulous Friday Update....
This morning on the treadmill I started thinking about how
the iPod has totally changed my workouts and in general how I spend
some of my time.
I decided to start my weekend early and want to share a few songs in
my iPod playlist - this is one of my "Alternative Playlists" that gets me
going for the day with several of my favorite groups. If you play
them in this order you'll have a great cardio workout!!
Enjoy....
In the End....Linkin Park
Like a Stone....Audioslave
Counting Blue Cars....Dishwalla
Bring Me to Life....Evanescence
Speed of Sound....Coldplay
Clocks....Coldplay
Feel Good Inc....Gorillaz
The Rockafeller Skank....Fatboy Slim
Holiday (Faded Ending)....Green Day
Somebody Told Me....The Killers
Beautiful Day ....U2
Boulevard of Broken Dreams....Green Day
Jeremy....Pearl Jam
Fall to Pieces....Velvet Revolver
Lightning Crashes....Live
I Am the Highway....Audioslave
Every Rose Has Its Thorn....Poison
Ohhhh yes!! Bought in the first half of March, sold a few
for a nice profit and kept some shares for that "just in case run, run, run" -
SCH-WEET =)
Hey There NoBlood4oil....I agree that some stocks have that "trader into investor" effect and
personally I do like to see gradual increases into different prices points because overall it
usually turns into a win-win for everybody. I think we'll all hold up just fine =)
Have a nice night!
Continental, Southwest will cut growth to handle fuel spike
Thursday April 17, 4:58 pm ET
By David Koenig, AP Business Writer
Southwest, Continental trim growth plans, raise fares as high fuel prices hurt 1Q profits
DALLAS (AP) -- High fuel costs that helped drive some marginal airlines into bankruptcy this spring are also taking a toll on two of the nation's healthiest carriers. Continental Airlines Inc. slid to a first-quarter loss as fuel spending soared 53 percent, and Southwest Airlines Co. -- which hasn't lost money since 1991 -- saw its profit fall by two-thirds. Both airlines say they will respond by slowing their once-ambitious growth plans, and they are raising fares. "We've put in two fare increases in the past week, and we'll have to be looking for opportunities to do more," said Gary Kelly, chief executive of Southwest, which built its business on offering lower fares than competitors but now faces the same cost squeeze. Stubbornly high fuel prices are likely to mean billions in losses this year at the nation's airlines. Already this year, five smaller carriers have shut down or announced plans to do so, and analysts are tossing around the B-word -- bankruptcy -- even in talking about the major airlines. Southwest reported Thursday that its earnings tumbled to $34 million, or 5 cents per share, in the January-March period, from $93 million, or 12 cents per share, a year earlier. Excluding some one-time items, the profit would have been 6 cents per share, which beat the penny-per-share profit forecast by analysts, according to Thomson Financial.
Revenue rose 15 percent, to $2.53 billion, and Southwest planes were more full than a year ago. "They did a masterful job given the amount of adversity in the airline industry," said Dan Ortwerth, an analyst with Edward Jones. "It's a good house in a very bad neighborhood." Southwest is better insulated from high fuel costs than other carriers because several years ago it agreed to pay for the right to buy fuel in future years at set prices, which turned out to be a bargain. Still, Southwest spent $753 million on fuel, an increase of $189 million or 33.5 percent in just a year. And the Dallas-based airline warned that even with its price-hedging deals it will pay $2.35 per gallon in the April-June period, up from $1.98 per gallon in the first quarter. JPMorgan analyst Jamie Baker said Southwest turned in "a respectable quarter" but higher spending on fuel and other items made it hard to see how the company will hit Wall Street's profit targets for the rest of the year. Baker said at current fuel prices, U.S. airlines would lose $6 billion this year after profitable years in 2006 and 2007.
At Continental, fuel costs rose by $364 million from last year, pushing the Houston-based carrier to a loss of $80 million, or 81 cents per share. A year ago, the company earned $22 million, or 21 cents per share. Excluding a gain on airplane sales, Continental said it would have lost 86 cents per share in the first three months of this year. Thomson said analysts expected a loss of 93 cents per share.
Continental also posted a healthy increase in revenue -- up 12.3 percent to $3.57 billion. But costs rose even faster, by 16.7 percent. Both Southwest and Continental plan to limit growth to cope with high fuel costs and a slowing economy. Southwest said it would go ahead with plans to add 29 new Boeing jets to its fleet this year but only 14 -- half its original plan -- in 2009.
Southwest's Kelly said his airline had cut its growth rate from 8 percent a year ago to about 2 percent in 2009. "We may not grow at all in 2009," he added. Continental will take 14 older jets out of service beginning in September and reduce domestic capacity 5 percent after the peak summer travel season. Slower growth, or even contraction, could help the airlines control costs and boost fares. The same result might be achieved through consolidation, such as Monday's announcement that Delta Air Lines Inc. has agreed to take over Northwest Airlines Corp.
Since Monday, speculation has increased about a combination of Continental and UAL Corp.'s United Airlines. Continental took a small but public step in that direction Thursday by buying out Northwest's right to veto a deal involving Continental. Continental Chairman and Chief Executive Lawrence Kellner said he would still prefer for the airline to remain independent, but the Delta announcement changed things. "We are reviewing our strategic alternatives and will do what we need to do to continue our success and to remain a strong, long-term competitor," he said. All the airlines have been raising fares and fuel surcharges. Continental and other so-called network carriers such as United, Delta and AMR Corp.'s American have enacted about a dozen increases this year, including a hike this week of $10 to $20 per round trip. The latest Southwest increase was $6 to $20 per round trip. Vacationers and business fliers should brace for more of the same between now and summer, said Tom Parsons, chief executive of travel Web site Bestfares.com. "Get bigger pockets, because you're going to have to dig deeper," he said.
Shares of Southwest rose 11 cents to $12.61 Thursday, while shares of Continental gained 27 cents to $21.11.
Excellent Summary!!
The pink sheets are a very real possibility but if you've never traded with
the pinks before take some advice and observe before getting involved.
While there are companies that are diamonds in the rough on the
pink sheets most are there for a reason, observe the trading
& "play it" for a quick buck or two.
Just my opinions =)
Hey Sumi - I agree and yes the major automakers are working hard at finding
alternatives - at least I can say that with utmost assurance for General Motors.
The only problem with that assessment is when you strip everything away
it boils down to.....this is a penny stock and most people do want
their money fast - heck regulations changed a few years back to
slow down flipping the same stock over and over and over. Basic overview
but you get my point.
I jump in stocks after I've watched them for a bit - watch a trading pattern
develop and them hopefully make some money. I'm perfectly happy averaging
$3k a trade - doing it a minimum of twice a month for $6k.....$72k a year
for flipping on average twice a month isn't anything to sneeze at.
Especially when I put in many hours a day building corporate clientele
with my current profession.
I'm not naive in knowing that dropping a few thousand a day is blow money
for the average daytrader but to say to be patient made me giggle because if there's
one thing I know for sure is this market sucks up "patient traders" and "spits
them back out".....and yes that is also from personal experience and when you
get spit back out you're left (nine times out of ten) sitting on your butt
saying to yourself WTH?!
Just my opinions and I hope everyone makes money when your time is right.
Take care and thanks for sharing your insights!
You may want to consider dollar cost averaging - again just a suggestion but it'll take the sting off when you see the price fluctuate.
Sharper dipped to .19 yesterday and it's flirting with the low .20's today - could this be the bottom
"......As I say hmmmm to myself and crinkle my nose while my index finger twirls my long hair
I also question what is their exact plan to tackle that mountain of debt?"
I'm going out on a limb and saying it will retract and probably slide a bit more.
Just my thoughts - will be following for a few months.
Category: Spiritual Growth
Charles Stanley - http://www.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2264355/k.BE55/Home.htm
Joel Osteen - http://joelosteen.lakewood.cc/site/PageServer?pagename=JOM_homepage
Southwest Airlines reports drop in first-quarter profits
Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 10:06 AM MDT
New Mexico Business Weekly - New Mexico Business Weekly
Southwest Airlines Co. fared better than most other airlines in the first quarter, as increased revenue and fuel hedging allowed it to post a $34 million, or 5 cents a share, profit for the quarter.
Still, the Albuquerque International Sunport's largest carrier's first-quarter earnings were down sharply from $93 million, or 12 cents per share, a year ago, and the Dallas-based airline (NYSE: LUV) said the continued increase in jet fuel prices has forced it to reduce its fleet growth plans in 2009. Excluding special items, first-quarter income rose to $43 million, or 6 cents per share, from $33 million, or 4 cents per share, last year. Results excluding special items exceeded the First Call analysts' estimate of 1 cent per share.
First-quarter revenue rose 15 percent to $2.53 billion from $2.2 billion in the year-earlier period.
"Benefiting from the Easter shift to March this year [versus April last year], this was the best quarterly performance since second quarter 2006," said CEO Gary Kelly in a statement. Kelly said the company expects second-quarter revenue to increase from last year's second quarter, but soaring jet fuel prices has made the company reevaluate its fleet growth in 2009. Southwest said it is now planning to add no more than 14 737-700 aircraft in 2009, rather than the previously planned 28 planes from Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) in 2009. It also is deferring 14 aircraft deliveries to 2015.
Web site: http://www.southwest.com
The Dallas Business Journal, an affiliated publication, compiled this report.
That's great but take your profits when you can. After personal experience in "being long & believing in certain companies in the past"
(in regards to the penny world) I now find it much easier to jump-in and jump-out rather than get involved with any companies.
This is just one of my trading rules for myself and as you can see I'm not an avid daytrader but have made some nice $$ flipping when I do.
I flipped KING twice and have no complaints! Hope you make some sweet $$.
I found this interesting because just one day after the Warren Buffett article JP Morgan cuts IFF.......IMO I'd listen to the advice of WB over JP.
"....Ahead of the Bell: JPMorgan downgrades International Flavors
Thursday April 17, 9:11 am ET
JPMorgan downgrades International Flavors & Fragrances, citing downturn in the fragrance market..."
WWBB: What Would Buffett Buy?
By Morgan Housel April 16, 2008
Article Link: http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2008/04/16/wwbb-what-would-buffett-buy.aspx
One person, five decades, $62 billion. The sheer magnitude of Warren Buffett's wealth is enough to give Robin Leach the willies. His personal net worth is larger than the annual GDP of 148 of the 210 countries listed in the CIA World Factbook. And it was all accomplished from the "Aw, shucks" location of Omaha, where the absence of Wall Street chatter makes it so silent you can hear the corn grow.
How exactly does he do it? We'd all love to know. Fact is, while millions of people have flocked toward Buffett-style investing, few, if any, have matched his awe-inspiring record.
That doesn't mean we can't learn a thing or two and search for companies that might fit Buffett's criteria. We all know the names of the winners that have propelled Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A) into uncharted territory: Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), Gillette (acquired by Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG)), and Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC), to name a few. Over the years, they've all churned out phenomenal returns.
What might Buffett be looking at today? I'd never claim to be able to beat the Oracle to the punch, but I found a few companies that share a slew of Buffett-esque characteristics, including:
Sustainable, competitive advantages
Top-notch management
High return on invested capital
Heavy cash flow generators
Attractive valuations
Here are the winners:
Brown & Brown (NYSE: BRO)
Buffett has been an insurance freak since he was a pipsqueak. In fact, insurance premiums make up roughly 27% of Berkshire's revenue.
Brown & Brown is one heck of an insurance company, by anyone's standards. Back in 1993, it set an audacious goal of achieving at least 15% net income per-share growth every year, forever. Swinging for the fences, right? Low and behold, its per-share net income has blossomed upwards of 20% per year during that time, and it did so with profit margins that make its competitors quiver. Pre-tax margins hover around 32% in an industry that averages just over 10%.
How did B&B do it? For one, it has a unique operating structure that decentralizes each office from the top ranks, letting managers act more like entrepreneurs than employees. That's exactly how Buffett runs his own ship -- hire the right people in the right industry, then leave them alone to make their own choices. And after falling 37% in the past year, you've got an opportunity to pick up shares at the lowest prices in nearly five years.
UST (NYSE: UST)
UST holds claim to about three-quarters of the smokeless-tobacco market, as well as an assortment of fine wines. UST is the epitome of a cash flow king, cranking out enough dough to return nearly $2 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and shareholder buybacks in just the last three years. With a current market cap of just $8 billion, that's some pretty impressive stuff. It's paid a dividend every year since 1912, raised that payment in every year but one since 1965, and currently fetches a fat 4.7% yield. Buffett loves that kind of predictability. And at just 14 times next year's earnings, you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for a sound night's sleep.
The market dominance UST holds is invaluable, and is just the kind of stuff Buffett looks for. With 186 years of experience in an industry that rarely changes, it's unlikely anyone will encroach on its territory anytime soon.
International Flavors and Fragrances (NYSE: IFF)
Buffett once remarked, "Forget about share of market, I'm talking about share of mind." With almost a century of creating some of the most tantalizing scents and tastes we've become accustomed to, IFF likely fits that mold. Here's the kicker: While IFF products are probably a bigger part of your day than you realize, it doesn't have the brand recognition that draws attention to its stock, keeping shares at reasonable valuations and away from the bubble territory that can rattle returns.
While earnings growth has been less than stellar over the past decade, management hasn't shunned shareholders' pocketbooks, gobbling up shares and paying a handsome dividend. With a return on equity around 33%, a healthy chunk of revenue hailing from abroad, and a fruitful future of making our clothes smell like fresh lilacs, IFF likely has the clout to keep its stock smelling good for quite some time.
Don't take my word for it
Understanding the principles Buffett puts into locating winning investments isn't rocket science, but it's hardly a walk in the park, either. Motley Fool advisor Philip Durrell and his team are always on the prowl, applying Buffett's philosophy to find the next deep value stocks for our Inside Value newsletter. You can get in on the action, too -- try it free for 30 days.
Until then, check out this Buffett Foolishness:
Copy Warren Buffett and Beat the Pros
Be Better Than Buffett
Buffett Beats Bernanke
Get the best of the Fool delivered to your inbox every Friday
Fool contributor Morgan Housel's bank account doesn't give Robin Leach the willies. More like the chuckles. He owns shares of Berkshire Hathaway and Procter & Gamble, but none of the other companies mentioned in this article. Berkshire and Coke are Inside Value recommendations. Berkshire is also a Stock Advisor pick. The Fool owns stock in Berkshire Hathaway. The Fool's disclosure policy is all about investors writing for investors.
Fragrance: Bath and Body Works & Victoria's Secret
AP
Ahead of the Bell: JPMorgan downgrades International Flavors
Thursday April 17, 9:11 am ET
JPMorgan downgrades International Flavors & Fragrances, citing downturn in fragrance market
NEW YORK (AP) -- A JPMorgan analyst downgraded shares of International Flavors & Fragrances, saying slower sales in its fragrance segment and higher food costs could weigh on earnings. Jeffrey J. Zekauskas lowered New York-based International Flavors to "Underweight" from "Neutral" in a note to investors Thursday morning. Shares were unchanged in premarket trading Thursday at $46.10.
Zekauskas noted the company reported slower fragrance sales in the fourth quarter of 2007, adding that similar downturns were reported in March at Bath and Body Works and Victoria's Secret -- both owned by Limited Brands Inc. -- and France's L'Oreal SA, all of which carry International Flavors products.
The analyst added that the company's food segment is likely in better shape but bears watching because of rising food costs. Zekauskas lowered his per-share profit estimate to 72 cents from 75 cents for the first quarter. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect first-quarter earnings of 75 cents per share, on average.
International Flavors (NYSE: IFF)is scheduled to report first-quarter results May http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=IFF
Continental, Southwest earnings hurt by fuel costs
Thursday April 17, 10:11 am ET
By Mark McSherry
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Continental Airlines Inc (NYSE:CAL - News) and Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE:LUV - News), two of the healthiest major U.S. carriers, said on Thursday that record-high fuel costs led to disappointing quarterly earnings and they cut growth plans. Continental's loss and Southwest's decline in profit highlight the biggest challenges facing the airline industry today -- skyrocketing fuel prices and a sagging U.S. economy.
These were also contributors to the quarterly loss reported on Wednesday by AMR Corp's (NYSE:AMR - News) American Airlines.
Tough market conditions may also pressure Continental to take part in a merger to better compete with rivals Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE:DAL - News) and Northwest Airlines Corp (NYSE:NWA - News), which on Monday said they planned to combine to form the world's largest airline by traffic volume. Continental and UAL Corp's (NasdaqGS:UAUA - News) United Airlines have reportedly been in merger talks for months.
On Thursday, Continental said it will reduce domestic mainline capacity 5 percent beginning this fall and take another 14 single-aisle 737-300 aircraft out of service as leases expire beginning in September. These are in addition to the 34 737-300s and 500s that were already planned to be removed from service in 2008 and 2009.
"In this fuel environment, we must reduce our domestic capacity to help reduce our losses in the domestic system," Jeff Smisek, president of Continental, said in a statement.
Continental, the fourth-largest U.S. carrier, reported a net loss of $80 million, or 81 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier profit of $22 million, or 21 cents a share. Excluding special items, the loss was 86 cents a share. Analysts on average had expected a loss of 94 cents, according to Reuters Estimates. Despite the tough conditions, Continental's revenue increased 12.3 percent to $3.6 billion, helped by international growth, fuel surcharges and modest fare increases.
COST OF JET FUEL THREATENS
Southwest on Thursday pulled back on growth plans and posted lower quarterly earnings as the weak U.S. economy and fuel costs took a toll on the leading U.S. discount carrier. Although Southwest has a history of successfully hedging against higher fuel prices, it said on Thursday it was concerned about soaring energy costs.
"We cannot ignore the threat of volatile and unprecedented jet fuel prices," Chief Executive Gary Kelly said in a statement. "We will continue to take steps to restore our profit margins, including an ongoing rigorous review of our flight schedule to eliminate nonproductive flying," Kelly said.
Southwest said it would increase its fleet in 2009 by no more than 14 737-700 aircraft -- half its previous plan. Southwest's first-quarter net profit fell to $34 million, or 5 cents per share, from $93 million, or 12 cents per share, in the same period last year. Excluding one-time items, profit was $43 million, or 6 cents a share, compared with $33 million, or 4 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Analysts on average had expected a penny a share, according to Reuters Estimates.
Revenue rose 15 percent to $2.53 billion.
On CNBC television, Kelly said his company needs to adjust to the changing environment and Southwest "can't just stand still. "I don't think that means we have to look for a merger partner," he added, saying the best course of action for Southwest may be to do nothing amid the consolidation.
(Editing by Maureen Bavdek)
Macy's will begin using recycled paper bags, offer totes
Thursday April 17, 9:18 am ET
Macy's will begin using partly recycled paper shopping backs, biodegradable packaging
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Department-store operator Macy's Inc. said Thursday it will begin using partly recycled paper shopping bags
at its Macy's stores and biodegradable packaging for its online shipments. The changes start this month.
The new store bags will be made from paper with 30 percent recycled material and will be 100 percent recyclable. Its previous bag
was laminated and not recyclable. Macy's will also stock reusable cotton tote bags for $3.95, with $1 going to the National Park Foundation.
Direct-to-consumer businesses including macys.com and bloomingdales.com will begin using loosefill packing materials that are 100 percent biodegradable.
Macy's gift boxes are already recyclable.
Hey There Jimmy! Welcome to my little slice of unconventionaI networking!
Thanks for clicking by!