Airlines Moving Up Off Earnings Beats; Morgan Stanley Analysts Were Right

• Airline stocks were higher on Thursday morning following earnings reports by United Continental Holdings Inc UAL and Southwest Airlines Co LUV.
• Shares of Southwest spiked higher by more than 4 percent, while United Continental was up 1.6 percent.
• The strong earnings report is consistent with prior commentary by analysts at Morgan Stanley who noted that the sector-wide "momentum has the potential to keep going."

Airline investors woke up to strong earnings reports which may have confirmed a report by analysts at Morgan Stanley who stated that the industry-wide momentum "has the potential to keep going."

Thursday Morning's Airline Summary

United Airlines earned $4.53 per share in its third quarter on revenue of $10.3 billion. Analysts were looking for an earnings per share of $4.55 on revenue of $10.31 billion.

Southwest Airliners earned $0.94 per share in its third quarter on revenue of $5.32 billion. Analysts were looking for an earnings per share of $0.92 on revenue of $5.11 billion.

What Airlines Already Reported?

Delta Air Lines, Inc. DAL reported its third-quarter results on October 14. The company earned $1.74 per share on revenue of $11.11 billion. Analysts were looking for an earnings per share of $1.70 on revenue of $11.1 billion.

Airlines Yet To Report

Alaska Air Group, Inc. ALK is scheduled to report its third-quarter results on Thursday. Analysts are looking for an earnings per share of $2.10 on revenue of $1.52 billion.

American Airlines Group Inc AAL is scheduled to report its third-quarter results Friday morning. Analysts are looking for an earnings per share of $2.65 on revenue of $10.73 billion.

JetBlue Airways Corporation JBLU is scheduled to report its third-quarter results on October 27 before market open. Analysts are looking for an earnings per share of $0.56 on revenue of $1.69 billion.

Spirit Airlines Incorporated SAVE is scheduled to report its third-quarter results on October 27 before market open. Analysts are looking for an earnings per share of $1.16 on revenue of $572.77 million.