The U.S. Global Jets ETF (NYSEArca: JETS), the only dedicated airline exchange traded fund on the market today, has been a solid performer as of late and that sturdiness could continue as some of the ETF’s largest begin reporting quarterly earnings.
JETS’ catalysts include the predictable, such as low oil prices and robust demand for air travel, as well as compelling valuations and rising profits.
JETS tracks U.S. Global Jets Index, which is comprised of U.S. and international passenger airline companies, aircraft manufacturers and airports and terminal services companies. The universe of airline companies around the globe is screened for investability, a minimum market cap of $100 million and liquidity. The underlying index will hold between 30 and 35 airline companies. [New Airline ETF Takes Off]
“We continue to expect the third quarter will mark the bottom on unit revenue, but we acknowledge any improvement in the fourth quarter will be modest. From the third quarter to the fourth quarter, legacy comps ease about 240 basis points and capacity growth slows about 200 basis points. We anticipate the domestic environment will be characterized largely as stable, with some incrementally cautious commentary from Spirit Airlines as price matching from American Airlines has continued, and Spirit Airlines lowers fares to stimulate demand and stem load-factor declines,” said Credit Suisse in a note out last week.
The bank is bullish on Southwest (NYSE: LUV), Delta Airlines (NYSE: DAL) and United Continental (NYSE: UAL). Those three stocks combine for 35.5% of the lineup in JETS. Credit Suisse has outperform ratings on all three.
“Forward estimates should rise on the credit-card contribution, too. With the stock down 12% since the CEO change and 17% since the stock popped on the CC extension, we see shares as derisked. Shares are now the least expensive in the group at less than seven times our 2016 EPS estimate [$7.48] despite a mid-high-teens free-cash-flow yield,” said Credit Suisse of United Continental, the fourth-largest holding in JETS.
Additionally, the lower fuel price outlook could also support the airlines as well. While transportation sector ETFs may provide a small exposure to airliners, investors can also take a look at JETS as a way of profiting from still low oil prices.
U.S. Global Jets ETF
