Big-name airline stocks are trading at their highest levels since before the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, lifting the US Global Jets ETF (NYSEArca: JETS) along the way. JETS, the only dedicated airline industry-related exchange traded fund (ETF) on the market, is up 12.2% year-to-date.
JETS follows the U.S. Global Jets Index, which uses fundamental screens to select airline companies, with an emphasis on domestic carriers, along with global aircraft manufacturers and airport companies.
Along with lower oil prices, airline stocks look attractive in their own right. For instance, income-oriented investors may notice that airline stocks have seen improved dividend-yield growth. Additionally, the sector shows relatively cheap valuations.
A spate of controversial public relations events is not holding back airline stocks.