The Profitability Of Southwest Airlines

The liquidity of firm can be measured by computing certain ratio’s such as current ratio and acid ratio. For measuring Target Corporation’s 2014 liquidity; the firm’s current ratio and the acid ratio is computed. The company’s current ratio is 0.91 times which is computed by comparing current asset ($11, 573,000) with current liabilities ($12,777, 000) of the year 2014 (TGT Company Financial, n.d). The firm’s acid ratio is 0.26 times which is computed by deducting inventory ($8,278,000) from current assets. The inventory is deducted from current assets because the company has not received any money for the unfinished good or from unsold inventory worth ($8,278,000). To analyze the Target Corporation’s liquidity trend in 2014; the current ratio and acid ratio of 2014 is compared with the 2015’s ratios. In 2015, the firm’s current ratio was 1.20 times and the acid ratio was 0.45 times. These liquidity ratios reflect that the firm’s liquidity was better in 2015 than 2014. (See Table 1).

This memo focuses on the dividend payout, dividend yield, and dividend per share of Southwest Airlines, while comparing its performance and dividend strategy to that of the industry.

Liquidity ratios are the measure of a company’s ability to meet its short term liabilities by converting its assets into cash without losing value. The results of the liquidity ratios depend on the outcome of Current ratio and quick ratio. In the appendix-I, in 2011 Target had better Current ratio

Although the company’s liquidity ratios have dropped their ratios are still outperforming their RMA industry average by 15%. The decrease in the company’s liquidity ratios is the result of their current liabilities increasing 6.5% from fiscal year 2014 and their current assets only increasing 0.7% from fiscal year 2014. The company saw a decrease in cash and equivalents, accounts receivable, and income tax receivable in 2015. While also increasing accounts payable, accrued expenses, and deferred revenue and other liabilities. The combination of the movement in these accounts result in lower liquidity ratios for fiscal year 2015.

Liquidity is a financial term used to determine the ability of a company to pay off its short-term debts, which will be due within the next year or in an operating cycle. In another word, liquidity is a very important indicator to evaluate a company’s financial health. Liquidity ratio shows a comparison between the most liquid assets and short-term obligations of a company. A higher liquidity expresses that the company has not only a better ability to pay off its short-term debts but also a greater amount of cash for an unexpected needs. In another word, when a company has a low liquidity, the company may face a risk to pay its short-term debt and struggle to fund its long-term operation. The current ratio is one of the most common and useful terms used to measure the liquidity of a company. It suggests the capability of a company to pay back its liabilities with its assets. The current ratio is computed by dividing current assets by current liabilities. According to a financial

Southwest airlines began in 1971 using a strategy unlike any other airline at the time. Starting out in Texas, with only three planes, they flew between the Texas cities of Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio (Coulter, pg 250). Their primary goal was to get their passengers to their destinations, on time, at the lowest possible fares, and to provide a fun atmosphere for their customers. They focused on providing short-haul routes with fares that were competitive with driving. Today, Southwest serves 101 destinations across the United States, as well as eight additional countries, and operates more than 3,900 flights a day. (Southwest , 2017) They have achieved a record 44 consecutive years of annual profitability, while staying true to their goal of providing the highest level of customer service at the lowest fare. In 2016 they ranked number 1 in customer satisfaction according to statistics listed by the Department of Transportation, with and average passenger airfare of $149.09 one way trip. (Southwest , 2017)

Next, we looked at the Current Ratio, a liquidity ratio calculated by dividing a company’s total current assets by their total current liabilities. This ratio gives an investor insight into whether or not a company is able to meet its short-term debt obligations and be able to remain a viable organization (Brigham & Houston 87). Again Whole Foods with a Current Ratio of 1.9 times assets to debt exceeds the industry average of 1.4 and is ahead of each of the competitors we looked at as well. This tells prospective investors that the financial health of

During the 1990s Southwest achieved the highest average revenue and income growth rate and return on total assets and stockholders’ equity among all U.S. air carriers. Unfortunately in the fourth quarter of 1994 (October 1 – December 31, 1994) net income fell 47 percent compared to fourth quarter 1993. Southwest had not reported earning less than the same quarter a year earlier since the third quarter 1991. By the end of the fourth quarter 1994 Southwest’s stock had reached a 52-week low on the New York Stock Exchange closing at $15.75 which was down

In 2013, Southwest repaid $611 million to Shareholders through repurchasing $540 million (roughly 38 million shares) in stock. LUV was nominated as Southwest’s stock exchange symbol to represent its home at Dallas Love Field (KDAL), as well as the theme of Southwest’s relationship with their customers ("Southwest Corporate Fact Sheet - Southwest Airlines Newsroom," n.d.).

Liquidity ratio. The firm’s liquidity shows a downward trend through time. The current ratio is decreasing because the growth in current liabilities outpaces the growth of current assets. The quick ratio is also declining but not as fast as the current ratio. From 1991 to 1992, it only decreased 0.35 units while the current ratio decreased 0.93 units. Looking at the common size balance sheet, we also see that the percentage of inventory is growing from 33% to 48% indicating Mark X could not convert its inventory to cash.

Liquidity ratios measure the short term ability of a company to pay its obligations and meet their needs for maintaining cash. According to Cagle, Campbell & Jones (2013), “A good assessment of a company’s liquidity is important because a decline in liquidity leads to a greater risk of bankruptcy” (p. 44). Creditors, investors and analysts alike are all interested in a company’s liquidity. After computing liquidity

Liquidity In analyzing liquidity of the company, the current ratio is not very telling of a falling company. The company increased its ratio throughout the period of the income statement thus building upon its company assets and allowing for a 6-1 ratio of assets over its liabilities. This implies the company is still able to operate sufficiently even though it did not make its optimum current ratio of about 8-1. However, when one takes the inventory out of the equation with the quick ratio, the numbers show the true strength of short term liquidity. The numbers are still good, and do not indicate failure – but are

This proposal addresses the needed steps to be taken in order for Southwest Airlines to see continued growth in the airline industry. Southwest Airlines has been able to remain one of the most profitable airlines in the industry for an extended period of time. Even with the hindrance of the 2001 terrorist attacks involving airplanes and the U.S recession of 2008, Southwest has continued to see strong revenue growth. Meanwhile, other companies were experiencing major losses and in some cases folding. Southwest Airlines has capitalized on the company’s strength of being the top low cost

Low-cost carriers pose a serious threat to traditional "full service" airlines, since the high cost structure of full-service carriers prevents them from competing

Southwest Airlines faced many barriers to entry from the fierce competition of other airlines in the industry. Though competition was fierce, Southwest Airlines managed to succeed by doing things differently. Their mission was to provide affordable air travel to those who would not normally fly. Contradictory to the rest of the airline industry, Southwest maintained a profit while keeping its fares low. Southwest was unique to the industry in two ways. They focused on the short haul traveler and used a point-to-point method of flight connections.