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SkyWest (SKYW)
NASDAQ:SKYW
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SkyWest (SKYW) AI Stock Analysis

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SkyWest

(NASDAQ:SKYW)

Rating:77Outperform
Price Target:
$129.00
▲(15.43%Upside)
SkyWest's strong financial performance and strategic initiatives are the primary drivers of its favorable stock score. The company's low leverage, robust cash flow, and positive earnings outlook are significant strengths. However, technical analysis indicates potential overbought conditions, and macroeconomic uncertainties present risks.
Positive Factors
Financial Performance
SkyWest reported its 9th EPS beat in a row with adjusted EPS of $2.18, indicating strong financial performance.
Operational Strategy
SkyWest's focus areas for accretive growth include returning to underserved markets, driving higher utilization, and placing new E175s on order.
Revenue Growth
Revenue of $944mm was far ahead of our estimate of $900mm and up 25.6% y/y.
Negative Factors
Mainline Carrier Demand
Demand for its capacity remains strong despite the macro softening that mainline carriers are facing.

SkyWest (SKYW) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

SkyWest Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSkyWest, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates a regional airline in the United States. The company operates through two segment, SkyWest Airlines and SkyWest Leasing. It also leases regional jet aircraft and spare engines to third parties. As of December 31, 2021, the company's fleet consisted of 629 aircraft; and provided scheduled passenger and air freight services with approximately 2,080 total daily departures to various destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In addition, it offers airport customer and ground handling services for other airlines. SkyWest, Inc. was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in St. George, Utah.
How the Company Makes MoneySkyWest makes money primarily through capacity purchase agreements (CPAs) with major airlines, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. Under these agreements, SkyWest operates flights on behalf of these partner airlines, who pay SkyWest a fixed fee for operating the flights, covering both fixed and variable costs. This model allows SkyWest to earn revenue without being directly exposed to fluctuations in passenger revenues or fuel prices. Additionally, SkyWest generates income through its leasing segment, which involves leasing aircraft to its operating partners. The company's earnings are significantly influenced by the efficiency of its operations, fleet management, and the strength of its partnerships with major airlines.

SkyWest Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Total Aircraft in Service or Under Contract
Total Aircraft in Service or Under Contract
Chart InsightsSkyWest's aircraft count has stabilized after a peak in 2022, reflecting strategic fleet adjustments amid operational challenges. Recent earnings highlight strong financial performance and expansion plans, including new fleet agreements and a projected 12-13% increase in block hour production for 2025. However, delivery delays and macroeconomic uncertainties pose risks. Despite these, SkyWest's strategic partnerships and cash flow management position it well for future growth, with plans to acquire new aircraft and expand services, potentially unlocking new revenue streams.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

SkyWest Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 24, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 25.43%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 24, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
SkyWest, Inc. demonstrated strong financial performance and continued expansion through strategic fleet agreements and increased block hour production. However, they face challenges from macroeconomic uncertainties and operational issues in maintenance and delivery delays. Despite these challenges, the overall outlook remains positive with strong cash flow management and strategic partnerships.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Financial Performance
SkyWest, Inc. reported net income of $101 million or $2.42 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2025. Total Q1 revenue was $948 million, up 18% from $804 million in Q1 2024.
Increased Block Hour Production
Block hour production is expected to be up about 12% to 13% this year compared to 2024, driven by fleet utilization and strong demand.
Fleet Expansion and Agreements
SkyWest completed agreements with United for 50 CRJ 550s and extended a multiyear flying agreement with American for 74 CRJ 700s. They also expect delivery of 16 new E175s by the end of 2026.
SkyWest Charter Approval
Received Department of Transportation's tentative approval for SkyWest Charter's Part 380 scheduled service authorization, highlighting potential new revenue streams in underserved communities.
Strong Cash Flow and Debt Reduction
Generated over $140 million in free cash flow in 2025, with plans to repay over $400 million in debt. Cash position remains strong at $751 million.
Negative Updates
Macroeconomic Uncertainties
Current macroeconomic uncertainties have translated into some overall industry outlook softening, posing potential risks to future demand.
Challenges in Third-Party MRO Network
Continued challenges in the third-party MRO network, including labor and parts challenges, impacting maintenance expenses.
Delivery Delays from Embraer
Anticipated delivery delays from Embraer for the E175s, with most 2025 deliveries expected in the second half of the year.
Cash Decrease
Cash decreased from $802 million last quarter and $821 million at Q1 2024, attributed to debt repayment, share buybacks, and capital expenditures.
Company Guidance
During the SkyWest, Inc. First Quarter 2025 Results Call, the company reported a net income of $101 million, translating to $2.42 per diluted share. The total revenue for Q1 2025 was $948 million, marking an 18% increase from the $804 million reported in Q1 2024. SkyWest completed over 30,000 more flights compared to the same quarter last year, achieving a 99.9% adjusted completion rate. The company expects block hour production to rise by 12% to 13% in 2025 over 2024, with earnings per share projected to increase by 18% to 19%. SkyWest plans to invest $575 to $600 million in capital expenditures for 2025, including the acquisition of eight new E175 aircraft. Additionally, the company ended Q1 with $751 million in cash, down from $802 million in the previous quarter, while reducing debt to $2.6 billion.

SkyWest Financial Statement Overview

Summary
SkyWest exhibits strong financial health with solid revenue growth and efficient operations. The company has effectively managed its debt levels, enhancing its balance sheet stability. Cash flow management is robust, although high capital expenditures could pose a future challenge. Overall, SkyWest is well-positioned in the competitive airline industry.
Income Statement
80
Positive
SkyWest has demonstrated strong revenue growth, evident in the TTM total revenue of $3.67 billion, a significant increase from previous years. The gross profit margin is robust at 35.10%, and the net profit margin is healthy at 9.89%, reflecting efficient operations. EBIT and EBITDA margins are solid, indicating good operational management. However, fluctuating net income in previous years suggests some historical volatility.
Balance Sheet
75
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03 in TTM shows low leverage, indicating conservative financial management. Return on equity is respectable at 14.68%, showcasing effective use of equity. The equity ratio stands at 34.77%, suggesting a stable capital structure. Nevertheless, past high debt levels highlight potential financial risk if not carefully managed.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
SkyWest's free cash flow is strong, with a TTM figure of $410 million. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 1.13 suggests good cash generation relative to earnings. Operating cash flow is consistently positive, indicating strong cash management. However, capital expenditures remain significant, which could affect future cash dynamics.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.67B3.53B2.94B3.00B2.71B2.13B
Gross Profit937.91M788.96M372.19M499.31M193.72M-13.89M
EBITDA788.94M930.36M554.35M627.10M377.99M238.27M
Net Income363.21M322.96M34.34M72.95M111.91M-8.52M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets7.15B7.50B7.03B7.41B7.13B6.89B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments856.45M801.63M835.22M1.05B860.41M825.91M
Total Debt3.43B2.76B3.09B3.54B3.35B3.49B
Total Liabilities4.86B4.73B4.91B5.07B4.86B4.75B
Stockholders Equity2.29B2.41B2.11B2.35B2.27B2.14B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow331.92M364.18M420.01M-202.22M150.42M185.64M
Operating Cash Flow705.84M692.46M736.33M480.38M831.82M633.56M
Investing Cash Flow-294.18M-228.63M-23.23M-904.89M-698.52M-683.47M
Financing Cash Flow-412.66M-384.75M-667.81M269.08M-90.60M178.43M

SkyWest Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price111.76
Price Trends
50DMA
100.84
Positive
100DMA
95.25
Positive
200DMA
99.65
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
3.04
Negative
RSI
68.28
Neutral
STOCH
76.20
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SKYW, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 111.76 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 102.48, above the 50-day MA of 100.84, and above the 200-day MA of 99.65, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 3.04 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 68.28 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 76.20 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for SKYW.

SkyWest Risk Analysis

SkyWest disclosed 41 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. SkyWest reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

SkyWest Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (58)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$4.52B12.7915.66%20.53%217.24%
ALALK
74
Outperform
$6.38B19.098.90%20.82%47.79%
69
Neutral
$1.48B55.881.92%-5.25%-49.90%
58
Neutral
HK$14.16B4.43-3.01%7.13%3.67%-54.16%
53
Neutral
$947.50M14.0712.71%5.99%
52
Neutral
$995.25M-17.12%1.10%1.54%-466.46%
47
Neutral
$1.56B-11.30%-3.02%66.90%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SKYW
SkyWest
111.76
27.37
32.43%
ATSG
Air Transport Services
22.48
7.15
46.64%
ALK
Alaska Air
52.54
14.09
36.64%
ALGT
Allegiant Travel Company
54.52
3.97
7.85%
JBLU
JetBlue Airways
4.39
-1.84
-29.53%
ULCC
Frontier Group Holdings
4.16
-0.11
-2.58%

SkyWest Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
SkyWest Holds Annual Shareholders Meeting, Key Decisions Made
Neutral
May 8, 2025

On May 6, 2025, SkyWest, Inc. held its annual meeting of shareholders where several key decisions were made. The shareholders elected directors to serve until the next annual meeting, approved the compensation of the company’s executive officers, and ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. However, a shareholder proposal was not approved during the meeting.

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and Strategy
SkyWest Expands Share Repurchase Plan by $250 Million
Positive
May 7, 2025

On May 6, 2025, SkyWest, Inc.’s Board of Directors approved a $250 million increase to its existing share repurchase plan, allowing the company to buy back shares of common stock at prevailing market prices. This decision supplements a previous plan from May 2023, which had authorized up to $250 million in repurchases, with $22 million remaining after $12 million was repurchased in April 2025. The new authorization brings the total potential repurchase amount to approximately $272 million. The move reflects SkyWest’s strategic financial management and could impact its stock value and shareholder returns.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 11, 2025