Daily Archives: April 3, 2008

ATA Airlines: Another Bankruptcy

At Aloha Airlines the reason for Chapter 11 was high fuel costs and too much competition. Overnight ATA Airlines went into bankruptcy because it lost a key military contract. As the reasons add up, filing Chapter 11 is back for the industry.

Carriers like AMR (AMR) and Delta (DAL) are still near 52-week lows. High fuel costs and falling passenger bookings due to a recession could make those stock prices worse. Most airlines have too much debt and are heading toward a period of too little cash flow.

The airline industry is one were going into bankruptcy is almost a badge of honor. It is likely to happen to some large carriers this year..

Or, they could merge with the car companies.

Douglas A. McIntyre

Posted on: April 3, 2008 – 4:36 am in Airlines, ,

Media Digest 4/3/2008 Reuters, WSJ, NYTimes, FT, Barron’s

According to Reuters, The Treasury said that regulators saved Bear Stearns (BSC) to help the markets.

Reuters writes that Sony (SNE) will cut costs and boost order to fight the strong yen.

Reuters writes that LG Telecom may offer 3G service on a Google (GOOG) platform.

Reuters reports that RIM (RIMM) earnings did much better than expected.

The Wall Street Journal writes that the Senate agreed on a $15 billion housing stimulation bill.

The Wall Street Journal writes that GM (GM) may do more to help Delphi out of bankruptcy.

The Wall Street Journal writes that Live Nation (LYV) is near a $150 million deal with rapper Jay-Z.

The Wall Street Journal reports that AT&T (T) plans to use Google Android in some of its hansets.

The Wall Street Journal writes that an activist investor has called the Circuit City (CC) turnaround a disaster.

The Wall Street Journal writes that a judge ordered a probe of lending practices at Countrywide (CFC).

The Wall Street Journal reports that analysts say that sell-off in cable shares was overdone.

The Wall Street Journal reports corn is near the $6 level.

The New York Times writes that a bill for the FDA to regulate tobacco is going to the full House for a vote.

The FT writes that as nornal source of home loans have fallen Fannie Mae (FNM) and Freddie Mac (FRE) are driving new mortgages.

Bloomberg writes that George Soros sees the current downturn as the worst since the Depression.

Douglas A. McIntyre

Posted on: April 3, 2008 – 2:50 am in Press Digest, , , , , , , , ,

Asia Markets 4/3/2008 LFC, SNP

Markets in Asia rose.

The Nikkei was up 1.5% to 13,390. Hitachi was down 1.9% to 613. KDDI was up 3.7% to 6444000,

The Hang Seng rose 1.8% to 24,278. China Life (LFC) rose 4.2% to 29.5. China Petroleum (SNP) rose 4.1% to 7.55.

The Shanghai Composite rose 2.9% to 3,446.

Data from Reuters

Douglas A. McIntyre

Posted on: April 3, 2008 – 2:24 am in International Markets, ,