SkyWest Q4 Earnings Miss Estimates, Down Year Over Year

Core Insights - SkyWest, Inc. reported mixed fourth-quarter 2025 results, with earnings per share of $2.21 missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.25, while revenues of $1.02 billion exceeded the estimate of $986.9 million, reflecting an 8.5% year-over-year increase [1][8] Financial Performance - Quarterly earnings per share declined 5.5% year over year [1] - Revenues from flying agreements, which contributed 94.7% to total revenues, rose 6.3% from the prior-year figure of $970.36 million [2] - Operating expenses increased by 11% year over year to $890 million, driven by higher production costs and maintenance on the CRJ fleet [5] Operational Metrics - The airline carried 1.2% fewer passengers year over year, while departures increased by 2.9% [2] - The passenger load factor decreased by 2.3 points to 79.9% [2][8] Strategic Developments - SkyWest extended multi-year contracts with United Airlines for 40 E175 aircraft and with Delta Air Lines for 13 E175 aircraft, both effective January 2026 [3][8] - The company anticipates having nearly 300 E175 aircraft in its fleet by the end of 2028 and has secured delivery positions for 44 additional E175s from 2028 through 2032 [4] Capital Management - Cash and marketable securities at the end of the fourth quarter were $706.90 million, down from $753.35 million in the prior quarter [6] - Long-term debt decreased slightly to $1.84 billion from $1.86 billion [6] - Capital expenditures for the quarter totaled $214 million, including the purchase of five new E175 aircraft [6] - The company repurchased 268,000 shares for $27 million during the quarter, with $213 million remaining under its current share repurchase program [7]