How could a record $2.8 billion loss in Qantas this morning turn into a strong jump in its share price?
Easy. Qantas has written off $2.6 billion in the book value of its international fleet to make its international arm really, really cheap to buy, and the market loves nothing so much as the prospect of more stock to pump and trade.
And to be fair to Qantas, provided no external shocks occur, the opportunity to either (or both) recast the value proposition in a stock that doesn’t contain Qantas international as well as one that does is, if nothing else, a share trader’s wet dream.
Qantas CFO Gareth Evans calls it “optionality”, and Qantas, having shrunk the paper value of the A380s and remaining 747s by $2.6 billion, will have a glittering matrix of possibilities to discuss with the broking and investment communities.
However, a rational examination of the actual performance of the components of the Qantas businesses — the ones that fly aircraft rather than create unbounded excitement in traders — is less encouraging.
Qantas domestic, the once very profitable part of its business, made only $30 million for the year on an EBIT basis.
Jetstar, lumped together, lost $116 million on the same basis — a huge deteriorating of $254 million since a year ago (although Jetstar domestic was declaring that it’s still profitable).
The damage included $70 million blown on Jetstar Japan, which amounts to more than a total recapitalisation of that investment, and a $40 million loss at Jetstar Asia based in Singapore, plus other apparent atrocities in stillborn Jetstar Hong Kong, Jetstar Pacific (Vietnam) and Jetstar international.
Qantas international also flew backwards financially to the tune of $251 million in the year, to a total EBIT loss of $497 million.
The burning questions are numerous. The Emirates alliance was supposed to have stopped this sort of result, and Emirates itself has gushed with enthusiasm about all the revenue and passengers Qantas gave away to it in the deal.
Some deal. Both CEO Alan Joyce and chair Leigh Clifford have some very serious questions to answer about their previous upbeat, if not serial, guidance about Qantas being poised to turn the corner in its international operations. Guidance which was clearly codswallop.
The fortunes of two Qantases now loom: the Qantas we can buy shares in, and the Qantas we can fly with.
allan Joyce and Leigh Clifford have only one question to answer.
Why are you still here?
The Qantas some of us can fly with Ben. Here in Perth we can still use Qantas domestically and it’s good enough at that. As good as Virgin and better than Jetstar. But internationally Qantas is the airline that “still calls Sydmelberra home.” WA and South Australia have no reason to buy Qantas tickets to fly on the carrier of another country when we can mostly get our tickets cheaper by buying them from that foreign carrier.
The international division is doomed.
Singapore to Sydney.
# flights by Qantas – 2 both overnight inbound.
# flights by Singapore Airlines – 4, 2 777s and 2 A380s
Kuala Lumpur to Sydney
# flights by QF – nil
# flights by MH – 4
Bangkok to Sydney
# flghts by QF – 1 airbus 320 or 330
# flights by Royal Thai – 2 400 series 747s
The market has gone. none of us fly the kangaroo any more. Compare prices and you’ll see why.
But we must keep those Qantas staff in the lifestyle they have become accustomed to mustn’t we.
Ah well, the market will get them as management can’t do it.
Just booked another 6 flights for my family this week. That now makes 40 plus flights, international and domestic since the Qantas grounding. Qantas has not figured in my plans since that day. How can an airline ground it’s fleet, leave people stranded and expect them to fly again. It would take a massive change in personnel at the top for me to think Qantas are an option.
I don’t believe you Jim.
Abandoning Qantas on a matter of principle from years ago looks much more like solidarity with the bruvvers in the Engineers union.
I reckon you’ve gone for better prices and friendlier service like the rest of us.