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8-K - 8-K - Spirit Airlines, Inc.form8-k4q15earningsrelease.htm


EXHIBIT 99.1

Spirit Airlines Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015 Results

MIRAMAR, FL. (February 9, 2016) - Spirit Airlines, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAVE) today reported fourth quarter and full year 2015 financial results.
Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter 2015 increased 24.9 percent to $73.3 million ($1.02 per diluted share) compared to the fourth quarter 20141. GAAP net income for the fourth quarter 2015 increased 33.1 percent year over year to $74.4 million ($1.04 per diluted share) compared to the fourth quarter 2014.

Adjusted net income for the full year 2015 increased 33.6 percent to $316.2 million ($4.37 per diluted share) compared to the full year 20141. GAAP net income for the full year 2015 increased 40.7 percent year over year to $317.2 million ($4.38 per diluted share).

Adjusted pre-tax margin for the fourth quarter 2015 increased 270 basis points to 22.4 percent1. For the full year 2015, adjusted pre-tax margin increased 420 basis points to 23.4 percent1. On a GAAP basis, pre-tax margin for the fourth quarter 2015 increased 390 basis points to 22.7 percent and for the full year 2015 increased 520 basis points to 23.5 percent.

Spirit ended 2015 with unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $803.6 million.

Spirit's return on invested capital (before taxes and excluding special items) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 was 28.2 percent2.

“I want to thank and congratulate our Spirit team members for successfully delivering solid financial results in 2015.  Although increased industry capacity and aggressive competitive pricing pressured our unit revenues, our excellent cost execution and ability to adapt to a changing environment drove improved year-over-year results,” said Bob Fornaro, Spirit’s Chief Executive Officer.  “I am excited to lead this innovative team.  As CEO, I plan to improve upon the already very strong base of fundamentals that Spirit possesses with a focus on continuing to improve operational reliability and customer service, and maintaining our financial discipline to drive value for all of Spirit’s stakeholders.”

Revenue Performance
For the fourth quarter 2015, Spirit's total operating revenue was $519.8 million, an increase of 9.6 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2014, driven by an increase in flight volume, partially offset by a decrease in operating yields.

Total revenue per passenger flight segment ("PFS") for the fourth quarter 2015 decreased 12.6 percent year over year to $111.78, primarily driven by a 21.4 percent decrease in ticket revenue per PFS. The decline in ticket revenue per PFS was driven by lower fare levels as a result of increased competitive pricing pressures as well as a higher percentage of Spirit's markets being under development compared to the same period last year. Non-ticket revenue remained stable, declining only 0.8 percent year over year on a per flight segment basis to $54.26.



1




Cost Performance
Adjusted operating expenses for the fourth quarter 2015 increased 5.6 percent to $401.2 million3. GAAP total operating expenses increased 3.9 percent year over year to $399.5 million. Operating expenses benefited from fuel expense decreasing 23.8 percent, or $32.8 million, on a fuel volume increase of 27.9 percent.
 
Spirit reported fourth quarter 2015 cost per available seat mile ("ASM") excluding special items and fuel (“Adjusted CASM ex-fuel”)3 of 5.15 cents, a decrease of 8.2 percent compared to the same period last year, driven primarily by lower aircraft rent per ASM and lower labor expense per ASM. The decrease in aircraft rent per ASM was driven by a change in the mix of leased (rent recorded under aircraft rent) and purchased (depreciation recorded under depreciation and amortization) aircraft. Labor expense per ASM in the fourth quarter 2015 was lower compared to the same period last year primarily due to scale benefits from overall growth and from larger gauge aircraft. These decreases were partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization expense related to the depreciation of aircraft.

"Spirit’s cost performance in the fourth quarter and throughout 2015 should be a source of pride for all our team members,” said Ted Christie, Spirit's Chief Financial Officer. “Our ultra-low cost structure is the foundation of our competitive advantage, providing us the platform to define our future.”

Fleet
Spirit took delivery of three new A321ceo aircraft during the fourth quarter 2015.

Full Year 2015 Highlights
Maintained its commitment to offer low fares to its valued customers; ticket revenue per PFS for 2015 averaged $65.25 with total revenue per PFS averaging $119.49.
Launched service on 40 new nonstop routes during 2015.
Added Cleveland, Ohio to its list of destinations and announced the addition of service from its newest destination, Seattle-Tacoma, Washington beginning in the Spring of 2016.
Added 14 (8 A320ceos and 6 A321ceos) new Airbus aircraft to its fleet, ending the year with 79 aircraft. As of year-end 2015, Spirit's Fit Fleet™ averaged 5.2 years, the youngest fleet of any major US airline.
Issued $576.6 million of enhanced equipment trust certificates, its first aircraft-backed bond publicly offered.
Repurchased approximately 1.5 million shares for approximately $99 million during 2015 under an initial share repurchase program and authorized another $100 million share repurchase program.
Created over 600 new jobs, bringing our total number of team members to nearly 5,000.

Conference Call/Webcast Detail
Spirit will conduct a conference call to discuss these results today, February 9, 2016, at 8:00 a.m. ET. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis at http://ir.spirit.com. An archive of the webcast will be available under Webcasts & Presentations for 60 days.

About Spirit Airlines:
Spirit Airlines (NASDAQ: SAVE) is committed to offering the lowest total price to the places we fly, on average much lower than other airlines. Our customers start with an unbundled, stripped-down Bare Fare™ and get Frill Control™ which allows them to pay only for the options they choose - like bags, seat assignments and refreshments - the things other airlines bake right into their ticket prices. We help people save money and travel more often, create new jobs and stimulate business growth in the communities we serve. With our Fit Fleet™, the youngest fleet of any major US airline, we operate more than 385 daily flights to 56 destinations in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. Come save with us at www.spirit.com.


2




Investors are encouraged to read the Company's periodic and current reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, for additional information regarding the Company.

End Notes
(1)
See "Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income to GAAP Net Income" table below for more details.
(2)
See "Calculation for Return on Invested Capital" table below for more details.
(3)
See "Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Expense to GAAP Operating Expense" table below for more details.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release and certain oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company contain various forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. All statements other than statements of historical facts are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of these provisions. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “potential,” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results and the timing of certain events to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below. Furthermore, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements. Additional risks or uncertainties (i) that are not currently known to us, (ii) that we currently deem to be immaterial, or (iii) that could apply to any company, could also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or future results. You should carefully consider the risks described below and the other information in this report. If any of the following risks materialize, our business could be materially harmed, and our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. References in this report to “Spirit,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company” shall mean Spirit Airlines, Inc., unless the context indicates otherwise. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K.


3




SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.
Statement of Operations
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)


 
Three Months Ended

 
 
Year Ended
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Percent
 
December 31,
 
Percent

2015

2014

Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
Operating revenues:





 
 
 
 
 
 
Passenger
$
267,487


$
271,569


(1.5
)
 
$
1,169,338

 
$
1,144,972

 
2.1

Non-ticket
252,359


202,918


24.4

 
972,125

 
786,608

 
23.6

Total operating revenues
519,846


474,487


9.6

 
2,141,463

 
1,931,580

 
10.9







 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:





 
 
 
 
 
 
Aircraft fuel
105,215


138,002


(23.8
)
 
461,447

 
612,909

 
(24.7
)
Salaries, wages and benefits
97,035


81,212


19.5

 
378,210

 
313,988

 
20.5

Aircraft rent
52,091


51,209


1.7

 
211,531

 
195,827

 
8.0

Landing fees and other rents
32,590


27,533


18.4

 
131,077

 
105,115

 
24.7

Distribution
20,656


15,893


30.0

 
86,576

 
74,823

 
15.7

Maintenance, materials and repairs
18,544


17,515


5.9

 
80,448

 
73,956

 
8.8

Depreciation and amortization
22,278


13,168


69.2

 
73,908

 
46,971

 
57.3

Other operating
50,796


38,630


31.5

 
206,867

 
149,675

 
38.2

Loss on disposal of assets
304


1,350


nm

 
1,604

 
3,008

 
nm

Special charges




nm

 
673

 
45

 
nm

Total operating expenses
399,509


384,512


3.9

 
1,632,341

 
1,576,317

 
3.6










 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
120,337


89,975


33.7

 
509,122

 
355,263

 
43.3







 
 
 
 
 
 
Other (income) expense:





 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
7,200


1,659


nm

 
20,382

 
2,747

 
nm

Capitalized interest
(3,161
)

(1,659
)

nm

 
(11,553
)
 
(2,747
)
 
nm

Interest income
(1,581
)

(101
)

nm

 
(2,125
)
 
(336
)
 
nm

Other expense
(267
)

1,048


nm

 
15

 
2,605

 
nm

Total other (income) expense
2,191


947


nm

 
6,719

 
2,269

 
nm









 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
118,146


89,028


32.7

 
502,403

 
352,994

 
42.3

Provision for income taxes
43,746


33,119


32.1

 
185,183

 
127,530

 
45.2

Net income
$
74,400


$
55,909


33.1

 
$
317,220

 
$
225,464

 
40.7

Basic earnings per share
$
1.04


$
0.77


35.1

 
$
4.39

 
$
3.10

 
41.6

Diluted earnings per share
$
1.04


$
0.76


36.8

 
$
4.38

 
$
3.08

 
42.2







 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares, basic
71,543


72,776


(1.7
)
 
72,208

 
72,739

 
(0.7
)
Weighted average shares, diluted
71,672


73,324


(2.3
)
 
72,426

 
73,294

 
(1.2
)







4




SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.
Statements of Comprehensive Income
(unaudited, in thousands)

 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net income
$
74,400

 
$
55,909

 
$
317,220

 
$
225,464

Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate derivative instruments, net of deferred tax expense (benefit) of $34, ($423), ($500), and $(423), respectively in each period.
58

 
(718
)
 
(828
)
 
(718
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
$
58

 
$
(718
)
 
$
(828
)
 
$
(718
)
Comprehensive income
$
74,458

 
$
55,191

 
$
316,392

 
$
224,746





5




SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.
Balance Sheets
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
803,632

 
$
632,784

Accounts receivable, net
28,266

 
22,685

Aircraft maintenance deposits
73,415

 
29,172

Prepaid income taxes
72,278

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
48,749

 
36,857

Total current assets
1,026,340

 
721,498

 
 
 
 
Property and equipment:
 
 
 
Flight equipment
827,282

 
204,462

Ground and other equipment
82,459

 
57,012

Less accumulated depreciation
(65,524
)
 
(36,099
)
 
844,217

 
225,375

Deposits on flight equipment purchase contracts
286,837

 
242,881

Long-term aircraft maintenance deposits
206,485

 
213,147

Deferred heavy maintenance, net
89,127

 
123,108

Other long-term assets
77,539

 
66,744

Total assets
$
2,530,545

 
$
1,592,753

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
17,043

 
$
13,402

Air traffic liability
216,831

 
188,870

Current maturities of long-term debt
49,637

 
10,431

Other current liabilities
182,729

 
152,921

Total current liabilities
466,240

 
365,624

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt less current maturities
596,693

 
135,232

Long-term deferred income taxes
221,481

 
66,367

Deferred gains and other long-term liabilities
20,821

 
22,455

Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock
7

 
7

Additional paid-in-capital
544,277

 
526,173

Treasury stock, at cost
(116,182
)
 
(3,921
)
Retained earnings
798,754

 
481,534

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(1,546
)
 
(718
)
Total shareholders’ equity
1,225,310

 
1,003,075

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
2,530,545

 
$
1,592,753

Note: The Company adopted ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, utilizing retrospective application as permitted. As such, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. In the Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014, the Company has reclassified $9.6 million from Deferred income taxes in current assets to Deferred income taxes within non-current liabilities.

6




SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.
Statement of Cash Flows
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
317,220

 
$
225,464

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:
 
 
 
Unrealized (gains) losses on open derivative contracts, net
2,334

 

Equity-based compensation, net
9,222

 
8,797

Allowance for doubtful accounts (recoveries)
12

 
(45
)
Amortization of deferred gains and losses
1,165

 
(185
)
Depreciation and amortization
73,908

 
46,971

Deferred income tax expense
155,614

 
34,118

Loss on disposal of assets
1,604

 
3,008

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(5,592
)
 
606

Prepaid maintenance reserves
(32,101
)
 
(31,925
)
Long-term deposits and other assets
(103,613
)
 
(48,382
)
Accounts payable
2,706

 
(10,034
)
Air traffic liability
36,387

 
21,135

Other liabilities
14,119

 
13,731

Other

 
(2,747
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
472,985

 
260,512

 
 
 
 
Investing activities:
 
 
 
Pre-delivery deposits for flight equipment, net of refunds
(142,323
)
 
(115,802
)
Capitalized interest
(10,159
)
 

Purchase of property and equipment
(548,800
)
 
(186,569
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(701,282
)
 
(302,371
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
536,780

 
148,000

Proceeds from stock options exercised
32

 
174

Payments on debt and capital lease obligations
(26,364
)
 
(1,233
)
Proceeds from sale and leaseback transactions
7,300

 
7,200

Payments to pre-IPO shareholders pursuant to tax receivable agreement

 
(5,643
)
Excess tax benefits from equity-based compensation
8,850

 
1,871

Repurchase of common stock
(112,261
)
 
(1,630
)
Debt issuance costs
(15,192
)
 
(4,727
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
399,145

 
144,012

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
170,848

 
102,153

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
632,784

 
530,631

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
803,632

 
$
632,784

Supplemental disclosures
 
 
 
Cash payments for:
 
 
 
Interest (net of capitalized interest)
$
7,061

 
$

Income taxes paid, net of refunds
$
95,933

 
$
89,104

Non-cash transactions:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures funded by capital lease borrowings
$

 
$
(173
)

7




SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.
Selected Operating Statistics (unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended December 31,

 
Operating Statistics
2015

2014

Change
Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)
5,705,398


4,372,511


30.5
 %
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)
4,727,996


3,707,271


27.5
 %
Load factor (%)
82.9


84.8


(1.9) pts

Passenger flight segments (thousands)
4,651


3,709


25.4
 %
Block hours
89,016


70,730


25.9
 %
Departures
33,662


27,167


23.9
 %
Total operating revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents)
9.11


10.85


(16.0
)%
Average yield (cents)
11.00


12.80


(14.1
)%
Average ticket revenue per passenger flight segment ($)
57.52


73.21


(21.4
)%
Average non-ticket revenue per passenger flight segment ($)
54.26


54.70


(0.8
)%
Total revenue per passenger flight segment ($)
111.78


127.91


(12.6
)%
CASM (cents)
7.00


8.79


(20.4
)%
Adjusted CASM (cents) (1)
7.03


8.69


(19.1
)%
Adjusted CASM ex-fuel (cents) (2)
5.15


5.61


(8.2)%

Fuel gallons consumed (thousands)
67,467


52,732


27.9
 %
Average economic fuel cost per gallon ($)
1.59


2.56


(37.9
)%
Aircraft at end of period
79


65


21.5
 %
Average daily aircraft utilization (hours)
12.5


12.5



Average stage length (miles)
1,000


983


1.7
 %
Airports served in the period (3)
53


53



 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
Operating Statistics
2015

2014

Change
Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)
21,246,156


16,340,142


30.0
 %
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)
17,995,311


14,159,860


27.1
 %
Load factor (%)
84.7


86.7


(2.0
) pts
Passenger flight segments (thousands)
17,921


14,294


25.4
 %
Block hours
337,956


267,305


26.4
 %
Departures
128,902


102,594


25.6
 %
Total operating revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents)
10.08


11.82


(14.7
)%
Average yield (cents)
11.90


13.64


(12.8
)%
Average ticket revenue per passenger flight segment ($)
65.25


80.11


(18.5
)%
Average non-ticket revenue per passenger flight segment ($)
54.24


55.03


(1.4
)%
Total revenue per passenger flight segment ($)
119.49


135.14


(11.6
)%
CASM (cents)
7.68


9.65


(20.4
)%
Adjusted CASM (cents) (1)
7.69


9.55


(19.5
)%
Adjusted CASM ex-fuel (cents) (2)
5.50


5.88


(6.5
)%
Fuel gallons consumed (thousands)
255,008


200,498


27.2
 %
Average economic fuel cost per gallon ($)
1.82


2.99


(39.1
)%
Average daily aircraft utilization (hours)
12.7


12.7



Average stage length (miles)
987


980


0.7
 %
Airports served in the period (3)
57

 
56

 
1.8
 %


(1)
Excludes special items.
(2)
Excludes economic fuel expense and special items.
(3)
Includes seasonal airports not served at the end of the period.


8





The Company is providing a reconciliation of GAAP financial information to non-GAAP financial information as it believes that non-GAAP financial measures provide management and investors the ability to measure the performance of the Company on a consistent basis. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as an analytical tool. Because of these limitations, determinations of the Company's operating performance excluding unrealized gains and losses or special items should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Special Items
 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2015

2014
 
2015
 
2014
Operating special items include the following (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior years' additional federal excise tax
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
9,278

Unrealized losses (gains) related to fuel derivative contracts
(1,988
)
 
3,118

 
(3,880
)
 
3,881

Loss on disposal of assets
304

 
1,350

 
1,604

 
3,008

Special charges

 

 
673

 
45

Total operating special items
$
(1,684
)
 
$
4,468

 
$
(1,603
)
 
$
16,212

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-operating special items include the following (2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlement paid to Pre-IPO Stockholders
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,388

Total non-operating special items
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,388

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total special items
$
(1,684
)
 
$
4,468

 
$
(1,603
)
 
$
17,600


Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Expense to GAAP Operating Expense
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended

December 31,
 
December 31,
(in thousands, except CASM data in cents)
2015

2014
 
2015
 
2014
Total operating expenses, as reported
$
399,509

 
$
384,512

 
$
1,632,341

 
$
1,576,317

Less operating special items (1)
(1,684
)
 
4,468

 
(1,603
)
 
16,212

Adjusted operating expenses, non-GAAP (3)
401,193

 
380,044

 
1,633,944

 
1,560,105

Less: Economic fuel expense
107,203

 
134,884

 
465,327

 
599,750

Adjusted operating expenses excluding fuel, non-GAAP (4)
$
293,990

 
$
245,160

 
$
1,168,617

 
$
960,355


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available seat miles
5,705,398

 
4,372,511

 
21,246,156

 
16,340,142


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASM (cents)
7.00

 
8.79

 
7.68

 
9.65

Adjusted CASM (cents) (3)
7.03

 
8.69

 
7.69

 
9.55

Adjusted CASM ex-fuel (cents) (4)
5.15

 
5.61

 
5.50

 
5.88


(1)
Special items include additional federal excise tax on a minority of fuel volume for the period beginning July 1, 2009 through December 31, 2013, unrealized gains and losses related to outstanding fuel derivative contracts, loss on disposal of assets, and special charges.
(2)
Non-operating special charges relate to the settlement paid to the Pre-IPO Stockholders in excess of the liability the Company had previously estimated related to the Company's Tax Receivable Agreement.
(3)
Excludes operating special items.
(4)
Excludes operating special items and economic fuel expense as described in the "Reconciliation of Economic Fuel Expense to GAAP Fuel Expense" table below.

9




Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income to GAAP Net Income
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net income, as reported
$
74,400

 
$
55,909

 
$
317,220

 
$
225,464

Add: Provision for income taxes
43,746

 
33,119

 
185,183

 
127,530

Income before income taxes, as reported
118,146

 
89,028

 
502,403

 
352,994

Pre-tax margin, GAAP
22.7
%
 
18.8
%
 
23.5
%
 
18.3
%
Add operating special items (1)
(1,684
)
 
4,468

 
(1,603
)
 
16,212

Add non-operating special charges (1)

 

 

 
1,388

Income before income taxes, non-GAAP (2)
116,462

 
93,496

 
500,800

 
370,594

Adjusted pre-tax margin, non-GAAP (2)
22.4
%
 
19.7
%
 
23.4
%
 
19.2
%
Provision for income taxes (3)
43,122

 
34,781

 
184,592

 
133,889

Adjusted net income, non-GAAP (2)(3)
$
73,340

 
$
58,715

 
$
316,208

 
$
236,705

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares, diluted
71,672

 
73,324

 
72,426

 
73,294

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income per share, diluted (2)(3)
$1.02
 
$0.80
 
$4.37
 
$3.23



Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income to GAAP Operating Income
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended

December 31,
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Operating income, as reported
$
120,337


$
89,975

 
$
509,122

 
$
355,263

Operating margin, GAAP
23.1
%

19.0
%
 
23.8
%
 
18.4
%
Add operating special items (1)
(1,684
)
 
4,468

 
(1,603
)
 
16,212

Operating income, non-GAAP (4)
$
118,653


$
94,443

 
$
507,519

 
$
371,475

Operating margin (4)
22.8
%

19.9
%
 
23.7
%
 
19.2
%








(1)
See "Special Items" for more details.
(2)
Excludes operating and non-operating special items.
(3)
Assumes same marginal tax rate as is applicable to GAAP net income.
(4)
Excludes special items.



10





The Company believes economic fuel expense is the best measure of the effect fuel prices are currently having on our business, because it most closely approximates the net cash outflow associated with purchasing fuel used for our operations during the period. Economic fuel expense is defined as into-plane fuel expense, realized gains or losses on derivative contracts, plus the economic premium expense related to fuel option contracts in the period the option is benefiting. The key difference between aircraft fuel expense as recorded in our statement of operations and economic fuel expense is unrealized mark-to-market changes in the value of aircraft fuel derivatives outstanding and the timing of premium gain or loss recognition on our outstanding fuel option contracts. Many industry analysts evaluate airline results using economic fuel expense, and it is used in our internal management reporting.
Reconciliation of Economic Fuel Expense to GAAP Fuel Expense
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
(in thousands, except per gallon data)
2015
 
2014
 
2015

2014
Fuel expense



 



Aircraft fuel, as reported
$
105,215


$
138,002

 
$
461,447

 
$
612,909

Less:





 
 
 
 
Prior years' additional federal excise tax



 

 
9,278

     Unrealized losses (gains) related to fuel derivative contracts
(1,988
)

3,118

 
(3,880
)
 
3,881

Economic fuel expense, non-GAAP
$
107,203


$
134,884

 
$
465,327

 
$
599,750





 
 
 
 
Fuel gallons consumed
67,467


52,732

 
255,008

 
200,498





 
 
 
 
Economic fuel cost per gallon, non-GAAP
$
1.59


$
2.56

 
$
1.82

 
$
2.99


Calculation of Return on Invested Capital
(unaudited)
 
Twelve Months Ended
(in thousands)
December 31, 2015
Operating income
$
509,122

Add operating special items (1)
(1,603
)
Adjustment for aircraft rent
211,531

Adjusted operating income (2)
719,050

Tax (36.9%) (3)
265,035

Adjusted operating income, after-tax
454,015

Invested capital
 
Total debt
$
646,330

Book equity
1,225,310

Less: Unrestricted cash
803,632

Add: Capitalized aircraft operating leases (7x Aircraft Rent)
1,480,717

Total invested capital
2,548,725

 
 
Return on invested capital (ROIC), pre-tax (2)
28.2
%
Return on invested capital (ROIC), after-tax (2)(3)
17.8
%

(1)
See "Special Items" for more details.
(2)
Excludes special items.
(3)
Assumes same marginal tax rate as is applicable to GAAP net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.
###

11