UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d)
of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 22, 2015
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
UNITED AIRLINES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 001-06033 | 36-2675207 | ||
| Delaware | 001-10323 | 74-2099724 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification Number) |
| 233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL | 60606 | |
| 233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL | 60606 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(872) 825-4000
(872) 825-4000
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
| Item 2.02 | Results of Operations and Financial Condition |
On October 22, 2015, United Continental Holdings, Inc. (“UAL”), the holding company whose primary subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (“United,” and together with UAL, the “Company”), issued a press release announcing the financial results of the Company for third quarter 2015. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
| Item 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure |
On October 22, 2015, UAL will provide an investor update related to the financial and operational outlook for the Company for fourth quarter and full year 2015. A copy of the investor update is attached as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.2, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
| Exhibit No. |
Description | |
| 99.1* | Press Release issued by United Continental Holdings, Inc. dated October 22, 2015 | |
| 99.2* | Investor Update issued by United Continental Holdings, Inc. dated October 22, 2015 |
* Furnished herewith electronically.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
| UNITED AIRLINES, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Chris Kenny | |
| Name: | Chris Kenny | |
| Title: | Vice President and Controller | |
Date: October 22, 2015
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit No. |
Description | |
| 99.1* | Press Release issued by United Continental Holdings, Inc. dated October 22, 2015 | |
| 99.2* | Investor Update issued by United Continental Holdings, Inc. dated October 22, 2015 |
* Furnished herewith electronically.
Exhibit 99.1
| News Release |
| |
| United Airlines | ||
| Worldwide Media Relations | ||
| 872.825.8640 | ||
| media.relations@united.com | ||
United Airlines Announces
Third-Quarter Profit
CHICAGO, Oct. 22, 2015 – United Airlines (UAL) today reported third-quarter 2015 financial results.
| • | UAL reported third-quarter net income of $1.7 billion, or $4.53 per diluted share, excluding special items. |
| • | Including special items, UAL reported third-quarter net income of $4.8 billion. These results include a nonrecurring $3.2 billion non-cash gain associated with the reversal of the company’s income tax valuation allowance. |
“I want to thank all of our employees for their hard work, professionalism and contributions to another successful quarter. The United family has had a challenging few weeks, but we have never felt more unified and are committed to making the right investments in our people and providing them the tools they need to deliver excellent service to our customers,” said Brett Hart, acting CEO of United. “With Oscar Munoz on medical leave, this leadership team and I are working to push forward the agenda we laid out over the past six weeks by focusing on our employees, improving our processes and investing in our systems to further improve our margins.”
Third-Quarter Revenue and Capacity
For the third quarter of 2015, total revenue was $10.3 billion, a decrease of 2.4 percent year over year. In the quarter, the company amended its co-branded credit card marketing services agreement which led to approximately $100 million of incremental revenue. This was more than offset by the declines in passenger revenue.
Third-quarter 2015 consolidated PRASM decreased 5.8 percent and consolidated yield decreased 5.6 percent compared to the third quarter of 2014. The declines in PRASM and yield were driven largely by a strong U.S. dollar, lower surcharges, travel reductions from corporate customers in the energy sector and softening in domestic yields. “Fourth quarter pre-tax margin is expected to be between 9.5 and 11.5 percent, excluding special items,” Hart added.
United Airlines Announces Third Quarter Profit / Page 2
Passenger revenue for the third quarter of 2015 and period-to-period comparisons of related statistics for UAL’s mainline and regional operations are included in the tables in the back of this document.
Third-Quarter Costs
Total operating expense excluding special items was $8.3 billion in the third quarter, down 10.7 percent year-over-year. Including special charges, total operating expense was $8.4 billion, a 10.3 percent decrease year-over-year. The decrease was driven by lower oil prices and good non-fuel cost performance as a result of a strong U.S. dollar, improved operational performance and the company’s Project Quality efficiency and quality initiative. Consolidated unit cost (CASM), excluding special charges, third-party business expenses, fuel, and profit sharing decreased 1.5 percent compared to the third quarter of 2014. Consolidated CASM including those items decreased 12.1 percent year-over-year.
Liquidity and Capital Allocation
In the third quarter, UAL generated $1.3 billion in operating cash flow, $627 million in free cash flow, and ended the quarter with $6.9 billion in unrestricted liquidity, including $1.35 billion of undrawn commitments under its revolving credit facility. During the third quarter, the company continued to invest in its business through gross capital expenditures of approximately $716 million, excluding fully reimbursable projects. These investments include new aircraft purchases, aircraft refurbishments, and investments in the company’s hubs at New York/Newark, San Francisco, Houston and Chicago.
The company spent $230 million to complete its initial $1 billion share buyback program in the quarter, and spent an additional $32 million toward its new $3 billion authorization, bringing the total returned to shareholders in the quarter to $262 million.
UAL earned a 19.8 percent return on invested capital for the 12 months ended September 30, 2015.
For more information on UAL’s fourth-quarter 2015 guidance, please visit ir.united.com for the company’s investor update.
About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of nearly 5,000 flights a day to 352 airports across six continents. In 2014, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 138 million customers. United is proud to have the world’s most
United Airlines Announces Third Quarter Profit / Page 3
comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates more than 700 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 34 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 and the 737-900ER. United is also welcoming 49 new Embraer E175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. Approximately 84,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United’s parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements included in this release are forward-looking and thus reflect our current expectations and beliefs with respect to certain current and future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be subject to many risks and uncertainties relating to our operations and business environment that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “will,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “believes,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “goals” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Additionally, forward-looking statements include statements that do not relate solely to historical facts, such as statements which identify uncertainties or trends, discuss the possible future effects of current known trends or uncertainties or which indicate that the future effects of known trends or uncertainties cannot be predicted, guaranteed or assured. All forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information available to us on the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Our actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the following: our ability to comply with the terms of our various financing arrangements; the costs and availability of financing; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity; our ability to execute our operational plans, including optimizing our revenue; our ability to control our costs, including realizing benefits from our resource optimization efforts, cost reduction initiatives and fleet replacement programs; our ability to utilize our net operating losses; our ability to attract and retain customers; demand for transportation in the markets in which we operate; an outbreak of a disease that affects travel demand or travel behavior; demand for travel and the impact that global economic conditions have on customer travel patterns; excessive taxation and the inability to offset future taxable income; general economic conditions (including interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, investment or credit market conditions, crude oil prices, costs of aircraft fuel and energy refining capacity in relevant markets); our ability to cost-effectively hedge against increases in the price of aircraft fuel; any potential realized or unrealized gains or losses related to fuel or currency hedging programs; the effects of any hostilities, act of war or terrorist attack; the ability of other air carriers with whom we have alliances or partnerships to provide the services contemplated by the respective arrangements with such carriers; the costs and availability of aviation and other insurance; industry consolidation or changes in airline alliances; competitive pressures on pricing and on demand; our capacity decisions and the capacity decisions of our competitors; U.S. or foreign governmental legislation, regulation and other actions (including open skies agreements and environmental regulations); the impact of regulatory, investigative and legal proceedings and legal compliance risks; the impact of any management changes; labor costs; our ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and the results of the collective bargaining agreement process with our union groups; any disruptions to operations due to any potential actions by our labor groups; weather conditions; and other risks and uncertainties set forth under Item 1A., Risk Factors, of UAL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports we file with the SEC.
-tables attached-
United Airlines Announces Third Quarter Profit / Page 4
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 AND 2014
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
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| (In millions, except per share data) | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating revenue: |
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| Passenger: |
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| Mainline |
$7,254 | $7,414 | (2.2 | ) | $20,153 | $20,410 | (1.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Regional |
1,706 | 1,900 | (10.2 | ) | 4,903 | 5,269 | (6.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
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| Total passenger revenue |
8,960 | 9,314 | (3.8 | ) | 25,056 | 25,679 | (2.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Cargo |
235 | 237 | (0.8 | ) | 706 | 678 | 4.1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other operating revenue |
1,111 | 1,012 | 9.8 | 3,066 | 3,231 | (5.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
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| Total operating revenue |
10,306 | 10,563 | (2.4 | ) | 28,828 | 29,588 | (2.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
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| Operating expense: |
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| Salaries and related costs |
2,534 | 2,344 | 8.1 | 7,289 | 6,684 | 9.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel (A) |
1,934 | 3,127 | (38.2 | ) | 5,904 | 9,145 | (35.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Regional capacity purchase |
572 | 597 | (4.2 | ) | 1,725 | 1,747 | (1.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Landing fees and other rent |
551 | 567 | (2.8 | ) | 1,647 | 1,706 | (3.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
469 | 422 | 11.1 | 1,343 | 1,248 | 7.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs |
424 | 435 | (2.5 | ) | 1,252 | 1,364 | (8.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Distribution expenses |
366 | 375 | (2.4 | ) | 1,026 | 1,039 | (1.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft rent |
185 | 222 | (16.7 | ) | 580 | 668 | (13.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Special charges (B) |
76 | 43 | NM | 195 | 264 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses |
1,296 | 1,240 | 4.5 | 3,782 | 3,975 | (4.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
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| Total operating expense |
8,407 | 9,372 | (10.3 | ) | 24,743 | 27,840 | (11.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
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| Operating income |
1,899 | 1,191 | 59.4 | 4,085 | 1,748 | 133.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nonoperating income (expense): |
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| Interest expense |
(164 | ) | (186 | ) | (11.8 | ) | (504 | ) | (559 | ) | (9.8 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Interest capitalized |
13 | 13 | — | 38 | 40 | (5.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest income |
5 | 8 | (37.5 | ) | 16 | 17 | (5.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous, net (B) |
(147 | ) | (106 | ) | 38.7 | (321 | ) | (141 | ) | 127.7 | ||||||||||||||
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| Total nonoperating expense |
(293 | ) | (271 | ) | 8.1 | (771 | ) | (643 | ) | 19.9 | ||||||||||||||
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| Income before income taxes |
1,606 | 920 | 74.6 | 3,314 | 1,105 | 199.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) (C) |
(3,210 | ) | (4 | ) | NM | (3,203 | ) | 1 | NM | |||||||||||||||
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| Net income |
$4,816 | $924 | 421.2 | $6,517 | $1,104 | 490.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Earnings per share, basic |
$12.83 | $2.50 | 413.2 | $17.19 | $2.98 | 476.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Earnings per share, diluted |
$12.82 | $2.37 | 440.9 | $17.15 | $2.84 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Weighted average shares, basic |
375 | 370 | 1.4 | 379 | 370 | 2.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares, diluted |
376 | 393 | (4.3 | ) | 380 | 395 | (3.8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
NM Not meaningful
United Airlines Announces Third Quarter Profit / Page 5
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES (UNAUDITED)
| (A) | UAL’s results of operations include fuel expense for both mainline and regional operations. |
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
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| (In millions, except per gallon) | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mainline fuel expense excluding hedge impacts |
$1,483 | $2,534 | (41.5 | ) | $4,527 | $7,426 | (39.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Hedge losses reported in fuel expense (a) |
(150 | ) | — | NM | (429 | ) | (4 | ) | NM | |||||||||||||||
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| Total mainline fuel expense |
1,633 | 2,534 | (35.6 | ) | 4,956 | 7,430 | (33.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Regional fuel expense |
301 | 593 | (49.2 | ) | 948 | 1,715 | (44.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
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| Consolidated fuel expense |
1,934 | 3,127 | (38.2 | ) | 5,904 | 9,145 | (35.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash received (paid) on settled hedges that did not qualify for hedge accounting (b) |
(100 | ) | 1 | NM | (214 | ) | 13 | NM | ||||||||||||||||
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| Fuel expense including all gains (losses) from settled hedges |
$2,034 | $3,126 | (34.9 | ) | $6,118 | $9,132 | (33.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
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| Mainline fuel consumption (gallons) |
862 | 846 | 1.9 | 2,432 | 2,414 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mainline average aircraft fuel price per gallon excluding hedge losses recorded in fuel expense |
$1.72 | $3.00 | (42.7 | ) | $1.86 | $3.08 | (39.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Mainline average aircraft fuel price per gallon |
$1.89 | $3.00 | (37.0 | ) | $2.04 | $3.08 | (33.8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Mainline average aircraft fuel price per gallon including cash received (paid) on settled hedges that did not qualify for hedge accounting |
$2.01 | $2.99 | (32.8 | ) | $2.13 | $3.07 | (30.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Regional fuel consumption (gallons) |
173 | 191 | (9.4 | ) | 503 | 543 | (7.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Regional average aircraft fuel price per gallon |
$1.74 | $3.10 | (43.9 | ) | $1.88 | $3.16 | (40.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated fuel consumption (gallons) |
1,035 | 1,037 | (0.2 | ) | 2,935 | 2,957 | (0.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated average aircraft fuel price per gallon excluding hedge losses recorded in fuel expense |
$1.72 | $3.02 | (43.0 | ) | $1.87 | $3.09 | (39.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated average aircraft fuel price per gallon |
$1.87 | $3.02 | (38.1 | ) | $2.01 | $3.09 | (35.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated average aircraft fuel price per gallon including cash received (paid) on settled hedges that did not qualify for hedge accounting |
$1.97 | $3.01 | (34.6 | ) | $2.08 | $3.09 | (32.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| (a) | Includes losses from settled hedges that were designated for hedge accounting. UAL allocates 100 percent of hedge accounting gains (losses) to mainline fuel expense. |
| (b) | Includes ineffectiveness gains (losses) on settled hedges and gains (losses) on settled hedges that were not designated for hedge accounting. Ineffectiveness gains (losses) and gains (losses) on hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net. |
United Airlines Announces Third Quarter Profit / Page 6
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES (UNAUDITED)
| (B) | Special items include the following: |
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
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| (In millions) | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||
| Operating: |
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| Severance and benefits |
$28 | $6 | $103 | $58 | ||||||||||||
| Integration-related costs |
15 | 28 | 47 | 79 | ||||||||||||
| Costs associated with permanently grounding Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft |
— | — | — | 66 | ||||||||||||
| (Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges |
33 | 9 | 45 | 61 | ||||||||||||
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| Special charges |
76 | 43 | 195 | 264 | ||||||||||||
| Nonoperating: |
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| Loss on extinguishment of debt and Venezuela currency loss |
61 | — | 195 | 21 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit |
— | (3 | ) | — | (4 | ) | ||||||||||
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| Total operating and nonoperating special charges, net of income taxes |
137 | 40 | 390 | 281 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax valuation allowance release (C) |
(3,218 | ) | — | (3,218 | ) | — | ||||||||||
| Mark-to-market (MTM) losses from fuel derivative contracts settling in future periods |
36 | 95 | 28 | 57 | ||||||||||||
| Prior period gains (losses) on fuel derivative contracts settled in the current period |
(69 | ) | 16 | (173 | ) | 63 | ||||||||||
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| Total special items, net of income taxes |
$(3,114 | ) | $151 | $(2,973 | ) | $401 | ||||||||||
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2015 - Special items
Severance and benefits: During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the company recorded $28 million and $103 million, respectively, of severance and benefits primarily related to a voluntary early-out program for its flight attendants. In 2014, more than 2,500 flight attendants elected to voluntarily separate from the company and will receive a severance payment, with a maximum value of $100,000 per participant, based on years of service, with retirement dates through the end of 2016.
Integration-related costs: Integration-related costs include compensation costs related primarily to systems integration and training for employees.
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges: During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the company recorded $33 million and $45 million, respectively, for losses on the sale of one aircraft, the impairment of several engines held for sale and discontinued internal software projects.
Loss on extinguishment of debt: During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the company recorded $134 million of losses as part of Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net due to the write-off of the unamortized non-cash debt discount related to the extinguishment of the 6% Notes due 2026 and 6% Notes due 2028.
Venezuela currency loss: During the third quarter of 2015, the company recorded a $61 million foreign exchange loss related to its cash holdings in Venezuela. The Venezuelan government has maintained currency controls and fixed official exchange rates (i.e. Sistema Complementario de Administracion de Divisas, or SICAD, and Sistema Marginal de Divisas, or SIMADI) for many years. Previously, airlines were permitted to use the more favorable SICAD rate (currently 13.5 Venezuelan bolivars to one U.S. dollar) if repatriating profits and for payments of local goods and services in Venezuela. During 2015, many of the payments for local goods and services have transitioned to utilizing the SIMADI rate (currently 200 Venezuelan bolivars to one U.S. dollar) or have been required to be paid in U.S. dollars. Furthermore, the Venezuelan government has not permitted the exchange and repatriations of local currency since mid-2014. As a result, the Company has decided to change the exchange rate from historical SICAD rates to a combination of SIMADI and SICAD rates based on projections of future cash payments. Including this adjustment, the company’s resulting cash balance held in Venezuelan bolivars at September 30, 2015 is approximately $15 million.
MTM losses from fuel derivative contracts settling in future periods and prior period gains (losses) on fuel derivative contracts settled in the current period: The company uses certain combinations of derivative contracts that are economic hedges but do not qualify for hedge accounting under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Additionally, the company may enter into contracts at different times and later combine those contracts into structures designated for hedge accounting. As with derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting, the economic hedges and individual contracts are part of the company’s program to mitigate the adverse financial impact of potential increases in the price of fuel. The company records changes in the fair value of these various contracts that are not designated for hedge accounting to Nonoperating income (expense):
United Airlines Announces Third Quarter Profit / Page 7
Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the company recorded $36 million and $28 million, respectively, in MTM losses on fuel derivative contracts that will settle in future periods. For fuel derivative contracts that settled in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the company recorded MTM losses of $69 million and $173 million, respectively, in prior periods. The figures above also include an insignificant amount of ineffectiveness on hedges that are designated for hedge accounting.
2014 - Special items
Severance and benefits: During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the company recorded $58 million of severance and benefits primarily related to reductions of management and front-line employees, including from Hopkins International Airport (Cleveland), as part of its cost savings initiatives. The company reduced its average daily departures from Cleveland by over 60 percent during the second quarter of 2014. The company is currently evaluating its options regarding its long-term contractual commitments at Cleveland. The capacity reductions at Cleveland may result in further special charges, which could be significant, related to our contractual commitments.
Integration-related costs: Integration-related costs included compensation costs related to systems integration, training, severance and relocation for employees.
Costs associated with permanently grounding Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft: During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the company recorded $66 million for the permanent grounding of 21 of the company’s Embraer ERJ 135 regional aircraft under lease through 2018, which included an accrual for remaining lease payments and an amount for maintenance return conditions. The company decided to permanently ground these 21 Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft as a result of new Embraer E175 regional jet deliveries, the impact of pilot shortages at regional carriers and fuel prices.
(Gains)/losses on sale of assets and other special charges: During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the company recorded $33 million for charges related primarily to the impairment of its flight equipment held for disposal associated with its Boeing 737-300 and 737-500 fleets and incurred losses on sales of aircraft and other assets and other special losses totaling $28 million.
Venezuela currency loss: During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the company recorded $21 million of losses due to exchange rate changes in Venezuela applicable to funds held in local currency.
MTM losses from fuel derivative contracts settling in future periods and prior period gains on fuel derivative contracts settled in the current period: The company utilizes certain derivative instruments that are economic hedges but do not qualify for hedge accounting under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The company records changes in the fair value of these economic hedges to Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the company recorded $95 million and $57 million, respectively, in MTM losses on economic hedges that will settle in future periods. For economic hedges that settled in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the company recorded MTM gains of $16 million and $63 million, respectively, in prior periods. The figures above also include an insignificant amount of ineffectiveness on hedges that are designated for hedge accounting.
| (C) | The company’s income tax benefit was $3.2 billion for both the third quarter of 2015 and nine months ended September 30, 2015. This compares to an income tax benefit of $4 million in the third quarter of 2014 and a $1 million tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. A discrete tax benefit of $3.1 billion for the reduction to the U.S. net federal deferred tax asset valuation allowance and an approximately $100 million tax benefit related to a reduction to the net state deferred tax asset valuation allowance was included in the income tax benefit for the third quarter of 2015 and nine months ended September 30, 2015. |
United Airlines Announces Third Quarter Profit / Page 8
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
STATISTICS
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Mainline: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passengers (thousands) |
25,922 | 24,307 | 6.6 | 72,158 | 69,388 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue passenger miles (millions) |
50,653 | 48,968 | 3.4 | 139,172 | 136,406 | 2.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Available seat miles (millions) |
59,002 | 56,919 | 3.7 | 166,175 | 161,908 | 2.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cargo ton miles (millions) |
640 | 624 | 2.6 | 1,935 | 1,813 | 6.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Passenger load factor: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mainline |
85.8 | % | 86.0 | % | (0.2 | ) pts. | 83.8 | % | 84.2 | % | (0.4 | ) pts. | ||||||||||||
| Domestic |
87.7 | % | 87.1 | % | 0.6 | pts. | 86.3 | % | 86.6 | % | (0.3 | ) pts. | ||||||||||||
| International |
84.1 | % | 85.0 | % | (0.9 | ) pts. | 81.3 | % | 82.0 | % | (0.7 | ) pts. | ||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents) |
12.29 | 13.03 | (5.7 | ) | 12.13 | 12.61 | (3.8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents) |
14.32 | 15.14 | (5.4 | ) | 14.48 | 14.96 | (3.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Average aircraft fuel price per gallon excluding hedge losses recorded in fuel expense (a) |
$1.72 | $3.00 | (42.7 | ) | $1.86 | $3.08 | (39.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Average aircraft fuel price per gallon (a) |
$1.89 | $3.00 | (37.0 | ) | $2.04 | $3.08 | (33.8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Average aircraft fuel price per gallon including cash received (paid) on settled hedges that did not qualify for hedge accounting (a) |
$2.01 | $2.99 | (32.8 | ) | $2.13 | $3.07 | (30.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Fuel gallons consumed (millions) |
862 | 846 | 1.9 | 2,432 | 2,414 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft in fleet at end of period |
717 | 698 | 2.7 | 717 | 698 | 2.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average stage length (miles) (b) |
1,960 | 2,002 | (2.1 | ) | 1,939 | 1,965 | (1.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Average daily utilization of each aircraft (hours) |
10:47 | 10:49 | (0.3 | ) | 10:32 | 10:31 | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Regional: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passengers (thousands) |
11,542 | 12,428 | (7.1 | ) | 33,059 | 35,084 | (5.8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenue passenger miles (millions) |
6,507 | 7,097 | (8.3 | ) | 18,721 | 19,942 | (6.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Available seat miles (millions) |
7,743 | 8,459 | (8.5 | ) | 22,524 | 23,900 | (5.8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Passenger load factor |
84.0 | % | 83.9 | % | 0.1 | pts. | 83.1 | % | 83.4 | % | (0.3 | ) pts. | ||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents) |
22.03 | 22.46 | (1.9 | ) | 21.77 | 22.05 | (1.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents) |
26.22 | 26.77 | (2.1 | ) | 26.19 | 26.42 | (0.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft in fleet at end of period |
527 | 562 | (6.2 | ) | 527 | 562 | (6.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Average stage length (miles) (b) |
555 | 563 | (1.4 | ) | 558 | 559 | (0.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
United Airlines Announces Third Quarter Profit / Page 9
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
STATISTICS (Continued)
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated (Mainline and Regional): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passengers (thousands) |
37,464 | 36,735 | 2.0 | 105,217 | 104,472 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue passenger miles (millions) |
57,160 | 56,065 | 2.0 | 157,893 | 156,348 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Available seat miles (millions) |
66,745 | 65,378 | 2.1 | 188,699 | 185,808 | 1.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Passenger load factor |
85.6 | % | 85.8 | % | (0.2 | ) pts. | 83.7 | % | 84.1 | % | (0.4 | ) pts. | ||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents) |
13.42 | 14.25 | (5.8 | ) | 13.28 | 13.82 | (3.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue per available seat mile (cents) |
15.44 | 16.16 | (4.5 | ) | 15.28 | 15.92 | (4.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents) |
15.68 | 16.61 | (5.6 | ) | 15.87 | 16.42 | (3.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Average aircraft fuel price per gallon excluding hedge losses recorded in fuel expense (a) |
$1.72 | $3.02 | (43.0 | ) | $1.87 | $3.09 | (39.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Average aircraft fuel price per gallon (a) |
$1.87 | $3.02 | (38.1 | ) | $2.01 | $3.09 | (35.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Average aircraft fuel price per gallon including cash received (paid) on settled hedges that did not qualify for hedge accounting (a) |
$1.97 | $3.01 | (34.6 | ) | $2.08 | $3.09 | (32.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Fuel gallons consumed (millions) |
1,035 | 1,037 | (0.2 | ) | 2,935 | 2,957 | (0.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Average full-time equivalent employees (thousands) |
82.4 | 81.9 | 0.6 | 82.1 | 82.5 | (0.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (a) | Fuel price per gallon includes aircraft fuel and related taxes. |
| (b) | Average stage length equals the average distance a flight travels weighted for size of aircraft. |
| Consolidated Revenue |
3Q 2015 Passenger Revenue (millions) |
Passenger Revenue vs. |
PRASM vs. 3Q 2014 |
Yield vs. 3Q 2014 |
Available Seat Miles vs. 3Q 2014 | |||||||
| Domestic |
$3,616 | 1.7% | (1.6%) | (2.2%) | 3.3% | |||||||
| Atlantic |
1,793 | (3.2%) | (6.9%) | (5.8%) | 4.0% | |||||||
| Pacific |
1,199 | (9.6%) | (11.6%) | (10.8%) | 2.3% | |||||||
| Latin America |
646 | (5.1%) | (11.6%) | (10.6%) | 7.3% | |||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| International |
3,638 | (5.7%) | (9.3%) | (8.4%) | 4.0% | |||||||
| Mainline |
7,254 | (2.2%) | (5.7%) | (5.4%) | 3.7% | |||||||
| Regional |
1,706 | (10.2%) | (1.9%) | (2.1%) | (8.5%) | |||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Consolidated |
$8,960 | (3.8%) | (5.8%) | (5.6%) | 2.1% | |||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||
United Airlines Announces Third Quarter Profit / Page 10
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL RECONCILIATION
UAL evaluates its financial performance utilizing various accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and Non-GAAP financial measures, including income (loss) before income taxes excluding special items, net income (loss) excluding special items, net earnings (loss) per share excluding special items, and CASM, among others. CASM is a common metric used in the airline industry to measure an airline’s cost structure and efficiency. Pursuant to SEC Regulation G, UAL has included the following reconciliation of reported Non-GAAP financial measures to comparable financial measures reported on a GAAP basis. UAL believes that adjusting for special items is useful to investors because special charges are non-recurring charges not indicative of UAL’s ongoing performance. In addition, the company believes that adjusting for MTM gains and losses from fuel derivative contracts settling in future periods and prior period gains and losses on fuel derivative contracts settled in the current period is useful because the adjustments allow investors to better understand the cash impact of settled fuel derivative contracts in a given period. UAL also believes that excluding third-party business expenses, such as maintenance, ground handling and catering services for third parties, fuel sales and non-air mileage redemptions, provides more meaningful disclosure because these expenses are not directly related to UAL’s core business. UAL also believes that excluding fuel costs from certain measures is useful to investors because it provides an additional measure of management’s performance excluding the effects of a significant cost item over which management has limited influence. UAL excludes profit sharing because this exclusion allows investors to better understand and analyze our recurring cost performance and provides a more meaningful comparison of our core operating costs to the airline industry. UAL also believes that adjusting capital expenditures for fully reimbursable projects is useful to investors in order to appropriately reflect the non-reimbursable funds spent on capital expenditures.
| (in millions) | Three Months Ended September 30, |
$ Increase/ (Decrease) |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
$ Increase/ (Decrease) |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses |
$8,407 | $9,372 | $(965 | ) | (10.3 | ) | $24,743 | $27,840 | $(3,097 | ) | (11.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Special charges (B) |
76 | 43 | 33 | NM | 195 | 264 | (69 | ) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses, excluding special charges |
8,331 | 9,329 | (998 | ) | (10.7 | ) | 24,548 | 27,576 | (3,028 | ) | (11.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Third-party business expenses |
70 | 61 | 9 | 14.8 | 205 | 469 | (264 | ) | (56.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Fuel expense |
1,934 | 3,127 | (1,193 | ) | (38.2 | ) | 5,904 | 9,145 | (3,241 | ) | (35.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Profit sharing, including taxes |
277 | 129 | 148 | 114.7 | 545 | 182 | 363 | 199.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses, excluding fuel, profit sharing, special charges and third-party business expenses |
$6,050 | $6,012 | $38 | 0.6 | $17,894 | $17,780 | $114 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes |
$1,606 | $920 | $686 | 74.6 | $3,314 | $1,105 | $2,209 | 199.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Special items before income tax benefit |
104 | 154 | (50 | ) | NM | 245 | 405 | (160 | ) | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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|
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| Income before income taxes and excluding special items |
$1,710 | $1,074 | $636 | 59.2 | $3,559 | $1,510 | $2,049 | 135.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income |
$4,816 | $924 | $3,892 | 421.2 | $6,517 | $1,104 | $5,413 | 490.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Special items, net of tax (B) |
(3,114 | ) | 151 | (3,265 | ) | NM | (2,973 | ) | 401 | (3,374 | ) | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
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|||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income, excluding special items |
$1,702 | $1,075 | $627 | 58.3 | $3,544 | $1,505 | $2,039 | 135.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Diluted earnings per share |
$12.82 | $2.37 | $10.45 | 440.9 | $17.15 | $2.84 | $14.31 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Add back: Special items, net of tax |
(8.29 | ) | 0.38 | (8.67 | ) | NM | (7.83 | ) | 1.02 | (8.85 | ) | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Diluted earnings per share, excluding special items |
$4.53 | $2.75 | $1.78 | 64.7 | $9.32 | $3.86 | $5.46 | 141.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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United Airlines Announces Third Quarter Profit / Page 11
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL RECONCILIATION (Continued)
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| CASM Mainline Operations (cents) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost per available seat mile (CASM) |
11.97 | 13.51 | (11.4 | ) | 12.43 | 14.14 | (12.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Less: Special charges (B) |
0.13 | 0.07 | NM | 0.12 | 0.17 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||
|
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|||||||||||||||||
| CASM, excluding special charges |
11.84 | 13.44 | (11.9 | ) | 12.31 | 13.97 | (11.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Less: Third-party business expenses |
0.12 | 0.11 | 9.1 | 0.12 | 0.29 | (58.6 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
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|
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| CASM, excluding special charges and third-party business expenses |
11.72 | 13.33 | (12.1 | ) | 12.19 | 13.68 | (10.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Less: Fuel expense |
2.77 | 4.45 | (37.8 | ) | 2.98 | 4.59 | (35.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
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|
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| CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expenses and fuel |
8.95 | 8.88 | 0.8 | 9.21 | 9.09 | 1.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Profit sharing per available seat mile |
0.47 | 0.23 | 104.3 | 0.33 | 0.11 | 200.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
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|
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| CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expenses, fuel, and profit sharing |
8.48 | 8.65 | (2.0 | ) | 8.88 | 8.98 | (1.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
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| CASM Consolidated Operations (cents) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost per available seat mile (CASM) |
12.60 | 14.34 | (12.1 | ) | 13.11 | 14.98 | (12.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Less: Special charges (B) |
0.12 | 0.07 | NM | 0.10 | 0.14 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||
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| CASM, excluding special charges |
12.48 | 14.27 | (12.5 | ) | 13.01 | 14.84 | (12.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Less: Third-party business expenses |
0.10 | 0.09 | 11.1 | 0.11 | 0.25 | (56.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
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| CASM, excluding special charges and third-party business expenses |
12.38 | 14.18 | (12.7 | ) | 12.90 | 14.59 | (11.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Less: Fuel expense |
2.90 | 4.79 | (39.5 | ) | 3.13 | 4.92 | (36.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
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|
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| CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expenses and fuel |
9.48 | 9.39 | 1.0 | 9.77 | 9.67 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Profit sharing per available seat mile |
0.42 | 0.19 | 121.1 | 0.29 | 0.10 | 190.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expenses, fuel, and profit sharing |
9.06 | 9.20 | (1.5 | ) | 9.48 | 9.57 | (0.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
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United Airlines Announces Third Quarter Profit / Page 12
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND FREE CASH FLOW
| (in millions) | Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 |
|||
| Capital Expenditures |
||||
| Capital expenditures - GAAP |
$673 | |||
| Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt |
70 | |||
| Airport construction financing |
5 | |||
| Fully reimbursable projects |
(32 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|||
| Adjusted capital expenditures – Non-GAAP |
$716 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| (in millions) | Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 |
|||
| Free Cash Flow |
||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities |
$1,300 | |||
| Less capital expenditures |
673 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Free cash flow |
$627 | |||
|
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|||
United Airlines Announces Third Quarter Profit / Page 13
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC)
ROIC is a Non-GAAP financial measure that we believe provides useful supplemental information for management and investors by measuring the effectiveness of our operations’ use of invested capital to generate profits.
| (in millions) | Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2015 |
|||
| Net Operating Profit After Tax (NOPAT) |
||||
| Pre-tax income excluding special items (a) |
$4,022 | |||
| NOPAT adjustments (b) |
1,138 | |||
|
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|
|||
| NOPAT |
$5,160 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Effective tax rate |
0.4 | % | ||
| Invested Capital (five-quarter average) |
||||
| Total assets |
$39,138 | |||
| Invested capital adjustments (c) |
13,080 | |||
|
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|
|||
| Average Invested Capital |
$26,058 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Return on Invested Capital |
19.8 | % | ||
|
|
|
|||
| Notes: | Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2015 |
|||
| (a) Non-GAAP Financial Reconciliation |
||||
| Pre-tax income |
$3,337 | |||
| Add: Special items |
685 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Pre-tax income excluding special items |
$4,022 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| (b) | NOPAT adjustments include: adding back (net of tax shield) interest expense, the interest component of capitalized aircraft rent, and net interest on pension while removing interest tax expense. |
| (c) | Invested capital adjustments include: adding back capital aircraft rent (at 7.0X) and deferred income taxes, less advance ticket sales, frequent flyer deferred revenue, tax valuation allowance, and other non-interest bearing liabilities. |
# # #
Exhibit 99.2
|
|
| |
| Investor Update |
Issue Date: October 22, 2015 | |
This investor update provides guidance and certain forward-looking statements about United Continental Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “UAL”). The information in this investor update contains the financial and operational outlook for the Company for fourth quarter and full-year 2015.
| Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Outlook |
Estimated 4Q 2015 |
Estimated FY 2015 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Capacity Year-Over-Year Change Higher/(Lower) |
1.0 | % | — | 2.0 | % | 1.4 | % | — | 1.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Pre-Tax Margin1 |
9.5 | % | — | 11.5 | % | 11.7 | % | — | 12.1 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Revenue |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated PRASM (¢/ASM) |
12.88 | — | 12.62 | 13.18 | — | 13.12 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Year-Over-Year Change Higher/(Lower) |
(4.0 | %) | — | (6.0 | %) | (3.9 | %) | — | (4.4 | %) | ||||||||||||||
| Cargo and Other Revenue ($M) |
$ | 1,275 | — | $ | 1,375 | $ | 5,047 | — | $ | 5,147 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-Fuel Operating Expense |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated CASM Excluding Fuel, Profit Sharing & Third-Party Business Expenses1 (¢/ASM) |
9.73 | — | 9.83 | 9.54 | — | 9.57 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Year-Over-Year Change Higher/(Lower) |
0.0 | % | — | 1.0 | % | (0.7 | %) | — | (0.4 | %) | ||||||||||||||
| Third-Party Business Expenses2 ($M) |
$ | 90 | — | $ | 100 | $ | 295 | — | $ | 305 | ||||||||||||||
| Aircraft Rent ($M) |
$ | 170 | — | $ | 175 | $ | 750 | — | $ | 755 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and Amortization ($M) |
$ | 475 | — | $ | 480 | $ | 1,818 | — | $ | 1,823 | ||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Fuel Expense |
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| Fuel Consumption (Million Gallons) |
~950 | ~3,885 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel Price Excluding Hedges (Price per Gallon)3 |
$ | 1.56 | — | $ | 1.61 | $ | 1.77 | — | $ | 1.82 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating Cash-Settled Hedge Loss (Price per Gallon) |
$ | 0.18 | $ | 0.15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel Price Including Operating Cash-Settled Hedges (Price per Gallon) 3, 4 |
$ | 1.74 | — | $ | 1.79 | $ | 1.92 | — | $ | 1.97 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-Operating Cash-Settled Hedge Loss (Price per Gallon) 3,5 |
$ | 0.11 | $ | 0.08 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel Price Including All Cash-Settled Hedges (Price per Gallon) 3,6 |
$ | 1.85 | — | $ | 1.90 | $ | 2.00 | — | $ | 2.05 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-Operating Expense7 ($M) |
$ | 245 | — | $ | 275 | $ | 965 | — | $ | 995 | ||||||||||||||
| Effective Income Tax Rate8 |
0 | % | 0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Capital Expenditures9 ($M) |
$ | 455 | — | $ | 475 | $ | 3,170 | — | $ | 3,190 | ||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Payments ($M) |
$ | 385 | $ | 1,995 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension ($M) |
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| Expense |
~$ | 210 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash contribution |
~$ | 800 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted Share Count10 (M) |
372 | 378 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. | Excludes special charges, the nature and amount of which are not determinable at this time |
| 2. | Third-party business revenue associated with third-party business expenses are recorded in other revenue |
| 3. | Fuel price including taxes and fees |
| 4. | This price per gallon corresponds to fuel expense in the income statement |
| 5. | This price per gallon corresponds to the impact of non-operating hedges that appear in non-operating expense in the income statement |
| 6. | This price per gallon corresponds to the total economic cost of the Company’s fuel consumption including all cash-settled hedges but does not directly correspond to fuel expense in the income statement |
| 7. | The Company excludes the non-cash impact of fuel hedges from its non-operating expense guidance and Non-GAAP earnings |
| 8. | Excludes the nonrecurring release of the valuation allowance. See tax description below for details |
| 9. | Capital expenditures include net purchase deposits and exclude fully reimbursable capital projects |
| 10. | Diluted share count is approximately equal to basic share count |
Passenger Revenue: The Company expects the decline in fourth-quarter 2015 passenger revenue to be driven primarily by a strong U.S. dollar, lower surcharges, travel reductions from corporate customers in the energy sector and a softening in domestic yields.
Fuel Expense: Estimates are based on the October 15, 2015 fuel forward curve. The Company expects a fourth quarter hedge loss of approximately $275 million, with approximately $170 million of operating and $105 million of non-operating hedge losses. This expense is included in the cash-settled hedge losses above, and will be included in the Company’s fourth-quarter 2015 Non-GAAP earnings. The fourth quarter hedge loss that is included in fuel expense is approximately $0.18 per gallon, or approximately $170 million.
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Non-Operating Expense: These estimates include cash-settled hedge losses of approximately $0.11 per gallon, or approximately $105 million, in the fourth quarter of 2015, based on the October 15, 2015 fuel forward curve.
Taxes: In the third quarter of 2015, the Company determined its performance is both sustained and significant enough to provide sufficient evidence to support reversal of the Company’s income tax valuation allowance. Despite the reversal, the effective tax rate for 2015 is expected to be approximately zero.
Profit Sharing: For 2015, the Company will pay approximately 10% of total adjusted earnings as profit sharing to employees for adjusted earnings up to a 6.9% adjusted pre-tax margin and approximately 14% for any adjusted earnings above that amount. Adjusted earnings for the purposes of profit sharing are calculated as GAAP pre-tax earnings, excluding special items, profit sharing expense and share-based compensation program expense. Share-based compensation expense for the purposes of the profit sharing calculation is estimated to be $59 million for full-year 2015.
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Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Capacity
| Estimated 4Q 2015 |
Year-Over-Year % Change Higher/(Lower) |
Estimated FY 2015 | Year-Over-Year % Change Higher/(Lower) | |||||
| Capacity (Million ASMs) |
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| Mainline Capacity |
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| Domestic |
26,997 - 27,258 | 3.6% - 4.6% | ||||||
| Atlantic |
10,596 - 10,704 | (1.8%) - (0.8%) | ||||||
| Pacific |
9,958 - 10,059 | (1.2%) - (0.2%) | ||||||
| Latin America |
5,772 - 5,825 | 9.3% - 10.3% | ||||||
| Total Mainline Capacity |
53,323 - 53,846 | 2.2% - 3.2% | ||||||
| Regional |
7,489 - 7,568 | (6.6%) - (5.6%) | ||||||
| Consolidated Capacity |
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| Domestic |
34,187 - 34,525 | 1.3% - 2.3% | 136,760 - 137,098 | 0.4% - 0.7% | ||||
| International |
26,625 - 26,889 | 0.6% - 1.6% | 112,752 - 113,016 | 2.6% - 2.9% | ||||
| Total Consolidated Capacity |
60,812 - 61,414 | 1.0% - 2.0% | 249,511 - 250,113 | 1.4% - 1.7% |
Fuel Price Sensitivity
As of October 15, 2015, the Company had hedged 23% of its projected fuel requirements for fourth-quarter 2015. The Company uses a combination of swaps, three-way and four-way collars on aircraft fuel and Brent crude oil.
The table below outlines the Company’s estimated cash hedge impacts at various price points based on the October 15, 2015 fuel forward curve, where Brent spot price was $48.71 per barrel and rest of year average forward price is $49.22 per barrel. With the current portfolio, hedge gains/losses are recognized in both Fuel Expense and Non-Operating Expense.
| Fuel Scenarios* | Cash Hedge Impact | 4Q15 | ||||
| forecast | ||||||
| +$40 /Barrel |
Commodity Price Increase/(decrease)** ($/gal) | $ | 0.95 | |||
| Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal) | (0.11 | ) | ||||
| +$30 /Barrel |
Commodity Price Increase/(decrease)** ($/gal) | $ | 0.71 | |||
| Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal) | (0.15 | ) | ||||
| +$20 / Barrel |
Commodity Price Increase/(decrease)** ($/gal) | $ | 0.48 | |||
| Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal) | (0.20 | ) | ||||
| +$10 / Barrel |
Commodity Price Increase/(decrease)** ($/gal) | $ | 0.24 | |||
| Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal) | (0.24 | ) | ||||
| Current forward |
Commodity Price Increase/(decrease)** ($/gal) | $ | 0.00 | |||
| curve |
Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal) | (0.29 | ) | |||
| ($10) / Barrel |
Commodity Price Increase/(decrease)** ($/gal) | ($ | 0.24 | ) | ||
| Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal) | (0.33 | ) | ||||
| ($20) / Barrel |
Commodity Price Increase/(decrease)** ($/gal) | ($ | 0.48 | ) | ||
| Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal) | (0.38 | ) | ||||
| ($30) / Barrel |
Commodity Price Increase/(decrease)** ($/gal) | ($ | 0.71 | ) | ||
| Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal) | (0.42 | ) | ||||
| ($40) / Barrel |
Commodity Price Increase/(decrease)** ($/gal) | ($ | 0.95 | ) | ||
| Hedge Gain/(Loss) ($/gal) | (0.47 | ) | ||||
| * | Projected fuel scenarios represent hypothetical fuel forward curves parallel to the baseline October 15, 2015 fuel forward curve and are meant to illustrate the behavior of our fuel hedge portfolio at different commodity price points, assuming equal magnitude change across all hedged commodities |
| ** | Change in United’s realized fuel price is not equal to the change in commodity prices due to timing and purchasing patterns |
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Company Outlook
Fleet Plan
As of October 22, 2015, the Company’s fleet plan was as follows:
| YE 2014 | YE 2015 | FY D | ||||||||||
| B747-400 |
23 | 22 | (1 | ) | ||||||||
| B777-200 |
74 | 74 | — | |||||||||
| B787-8/9 |
14 | 25 | 11 | |||||||||
| B767-300/400 |
51 | 51 | — | |||||||||
| B757-200/300 |
94 | 81 | (13 | ) | ||||||||
| B737-700/800/900 |
283 | 310 | 27 | |||||||||
| A319/A320 |
152 | 152 | — | |||||||||
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| Total Mainline Aircraft |
691 | 715 | 24 | |||||||||
| YE 2014 | YE 2015 | FY D | ||||||||||
| Q400 |
28 | 20 | (8 | ) | ||||||||
| Q300 |
5 | 5 | — | |||||||||
| Q200 |
16 | 16 | — | |||||||||
| Embraer ERJ 145 |
245 | 201 | (44 | ) | ||||||||
| Embraer ERJ 135 |
9 | 5 | (4 | ) | ||||||||
| CRJ200 |
68 | 50 | (18 | ) | ||||||||
| CRJ700 |
115 | 115 | — | |||||||||
| Embraer EMB 120 |
9 | — | (9 | ) | ||||||||
| Embraer 170 |
38 | 38 | — | |||||||||
| Embraer E175 |
33 | 82 | 49 | |||||||||
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| Total Regional Aircraft |
566 | 532 | (34 | ) | ||||||||
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations
UAL evaluates its financial performance utilizing various accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and Non-GAAP financial measures, including net income/loss, net earnings/loss per share and CASM, among others. Non-GAAP financial measures are presented because they provide management and investors the ability to measure and monitor UAL’s performance on a consistent basis. CASM is a common metric used in the airline industry to measure an airline’s cost structure and efficiency. Pursuant to SEC Regulation G, UAL has included the following reconciliation of reported Non-GAAP financial measures to comparable financial measures reported on a GAAP basis. UAL believes that excluding fuel costs from certain measures is useful to investors because it provides an additional measure of management’s performance excluding the effects of a significant cost item over which management has limited influence. UAL believes that adjusting for special charges is useful to investors because they are non-recurring charges not indicative of UAL’s ongoing performance. UAL also believes that excluding third-party business expenses, such as maintenance, ground handling and catering services for third parties, fuel sales and non-air mileage redemptions, provides more meaningful disclosure because these expenses are not directly related to UAL’s core business. UAL also believes excluding profit sharing allows investors to better understand and analyze our recurring cost performance and provides a more meaningful comparison of our core operating costs to the airline industry. In addition, UAL believes that excluding non-cash (gains)/losses on fuel derivative contracts from non-operating expense is useful because it allows investors to better understand the impact of settled hedges on a given period’s results.
| Estimated 4Q 2015 |
Estimated FY 2015 |
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| Consolidated CASM Excluding Profit Sharing & Special Charges (a) (b) |
12.58 | — | 12.68 | 12.66 | — | 12.69 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Third-Party Business Expenses |
0.15 | — | 0.15 | 0.12 | — | 0.12 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Consolidated CASM Excluding Profit Sharing, Third-Party Business Expenses & Special Charges (b) |
12.43 | — | 12.53 | 12.54 | — | 12.57 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Fuel Expense (c) |
2.70 | — | 2.70 | 3.00 | — | 3.00 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Consolidated CASM Excluding Profit Sharing, Third-Party Business Expenses, Fuel & Special Charges (b) |
9.73 | — | 9.83 | 9.54 | — | 9.57 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Estimated 4Q 2015 |
Estimated FY 2015 |
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| Non-operating Expense ($M) |
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| Non-operating expense |
$ | 140 | — | $ | 170 | $ | 912 | — | $ | 942 | ||||||||||||||
| Exclude: hedge program adjustments (d) |
(105 | ) | — | (105 | ) | (250 | ) | — | (250 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Exclude: other special items |
— | — | — | 196 | — | 196 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Non-operating expense, adjusted (b) |
$ | 245 | — | $ | 275 | $ | 966 | — | $ | 996 | ||||||||||||||
| (a) | Operating expense per ASM – CASM excludes special charges and profit sharing, the impact of certain primarily non-cash impairment, severance and other similar accounting charges. While the Company anticipates that it will record such special charges throughout the year and may record profit sharing, at this time the Company is unable to provide an estimate of these charges with reasonable certainty. |
| (b) | These financial measures provide management and investors the ability to measure and monitor the Company’s performance on a consistent basis. |
| (c) | Both the cost and availability of fuel are subject to many economic and political factors and are therefore beyond the Company’s control. |
| (d) | Hedge program adjustments consist of excluding MTM (gains) and losses from fuel derivative contracts settling in future periods and adding back prior period gains and losses on fuel contracts settled in the current period. The purpose of hedge program adjustments is to adjust GAAP fuel derivative contract (gains)/losses to a cash-settled amount. |
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Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
Certain statements included in this investor update are forward-looking and thus reflect our current expectations and beliefs with respect to certain current and future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be subject to many risks and uncertainties relating to our operations and business environment that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “will,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “believes,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “goals” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Additionally, forward-looking statements include statements that do not relate solely to historical facts, such as statements which identify uncertainties or trends, discuss the possible future effects of current known trends or uncertainties or which indicate that the future effects of known trends or uncertainties cannot be predicted, guaranteed or assured. All forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information available to us on the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Our actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the following: our ability to comply with the terms of our various financing arrangements; the costs and availability of financing; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity; our ability to execute our operational plans, including optimizing our revenue; our ability to control our costs, including realizing benefits from our resource optimization efforts, cost reduction initiatives and fleet replacement programs; our ability to utilize our net operating losses; our ability to attract and retain customers; demand for transportation in the markets in which we operate; an outbreak of a disease that affects travel demand or travel behavior; demand for travel and the impact that global economic conditions have on customer travel patterns; excessive taxation and the inability to offset future taxable income; general economic conditions (including interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, investment or credit market conditions, crude oil prices, costs of aircraft fuel and energy refining capacity in relevant markets); our ability to cost-effectively hedge against increases in the price of aircraft fuel; any potential realized or unrealized gains or losses related to fuel or currency hedging programs; the effects of any hostilities, act of war or terrorist attack; the ability of other air carriers with whom we have alliances or partnerships to provide the services contemplated by the respective arrangements with such carriers; the costs and availability of aviation and other insurance; industry consolidation or changes in airline alliances; competitive pressures on pricing and on demand; our capacity decisions and the capacity decisions of our competitors; U.S. or foreign governmental legislation, regulation and other actions (including open skies agreements and environmental regulations); the impact of regulatory, investigative and legal proceedings and legal compliance risks; the impact of any management changes; labor costs; our ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and the results of the collective bargaining agreement process with our union groups; any disruptions to operations due to any potential actions by our labor groups; weather conditions; and other risks and uncertainties set forth under Item 1A., Risk Factors, of UAL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports we file with the SEC.
For further questions, contact Investor Relations at (872) 825-8610 or investorrelations@united.com.
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