Airline share values in Asia-Pacific relatively weak: IATA

Airline share values in the Asia- Pacific region have remained "relatively weak" last month reflecting a downtrend in their financial bottomlines, compared with a strong growth of North American air carriers, IATA said today.
The share prices in the US saw the strongest improvement in October, up 13 per cent over the month and 76 per cent since the start of 2013, supported by improvements in financial performance, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in its latest financial monitor for the global airline industry.
By contrast, it showed that airline share values in Asia- Pacific remained "relatively weak, reflecting declines in financial performance so far this year."

It also showed that passenger yields were up on a year- ago basis in the US but "show weakness globally due to declines in Asia-Pacific."
But overall, the worldwide airline shares rose five per cent in October, slightly outperforming the market as jet fuel prices stabilised, it said, adding that the initial third quarter financial results suggested "continued improvement, dominated by airlines in North America."
Financial results of Asia-Pacific airlines were lower than last year. While their total net profits stood at USD 938 million in 2012, it was USD 821 million in Q3 this year.
Jet fuel prices remained stable in October, as rising Saudi crude oil production offset upward price pressures from supply disruptions and growing demand, the IATA study said.

The analysis also pointed out that passenger load factors slipped on international markets, but air freight loads showed some improvement from the moderation in capacity growth, although levels are still low and down than 2012.