Continental Airlines, Inc. (CAL)

Airlines are a great way to lose money. What quicker way than to set expensive jet fuel on fire is there to burn money? Plus all the upkeep on those planes and those pesky salaries.

Less business travel... far less vacations... me no like airlines and I dislike CAL most.

On someones top #20 companies most likely to go bankrupt

Possible bankruptcy in the next 12-15 months.

cyclical airline stock

Pick on a dip

The high end scum of the sector

CAL is especially vulnerable to the expected rise in fuel prices over the next year and the end of the leisure travel season next month.

A GOOD AIRLINE

Airlines are a terrible industry and I expect bankruptcies to occur in this undesirable economy.

bankruptcy looms no matter what they do

GOOD AIRLINES

Beaten down after flu scare should be a candidate for rebound.

I recently travel in Continental fly and the plane was full I had difficult to set the dates to travel since all dates choose by me where already booked. I checked other airlines but the price was almost double than what I paid. Other reason for this pick is related with the fact that Continental stopped flit where the line was not profitable; taxing planes, subcontract other operators and pink slip thousands of workers early this year. With a fleet of aircrafts most new make them more efficient and less dependent of oil price. Last reason of my pick is insiders bought shares last month.
Note : None of large carriers make profits right now but I believe the Continental will be in better position to survive this crises.

Losses from fuel hedges are mostly over, planes will be parked to keep costs low and load factors high. As the economy recovers, so will the airlines. Could bounce along the bottom for a bit but a little nibble now and then likely won't hurt.

Company is carrying a massive amount of debt, incredibly dangerous in this economic environment

Losing money, can't take advantage of falling oil prices because of hedged contracts etc...Going bankrupt this year or first quarter of 2010.

Here's an interesting tidbit: from it's inception to today, the airline industry has _never_ made money.

Continental Airlines (CAL) is the healthiest of the legacy airlines (LCC, UAUA, AMR, DAL, NWA). It also has the newest fleet of planes in an industry that has severely underinvested. With teh reduction in capacity to maintain loads and the sharp drop in jet fuel prices, CAL should do well in 2009 and beyond.

Watch the Airlines, they will soon come with hat in hand to Congress for the next bailout. Congress will capitulate because of the "National Security implication." Hilarity ensues.

Besides the laundry list for not investing in airlines at all (umm, let's see: oil money, less spending money in a recession, huge overhead costs, terrorism fears, etc...), the big airlines - Continental, United, Delta, and the like - have been dragging for years. And now they have fresh competition even WITHIN the industry, like JetBlue and Southwest, to deal with - companies that are cheaper, friendlier, younger and more agile - and who don't necessarily charge you an extra $25 to check a single bag. On top of this, ask anyone who frequently flies overseas whether they'd prefer ANY big European airline over ANY American one for any kind of travel - I'd bet money on anything but American.