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8-K - 8-K THIRD QUARTER 2016 EARNINGS RELEASE - Spirit Airlines, Inc.form8-k3q16earningsrelease.htm


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EXHIBIT 99.1

Spirit Airlines Reports Third Quarter 2016 Results

MIRAMAR, FL. (October 25, 2016) - Spirit Airlines, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAVE) today reported third quarter 2016 financial results.
GAAP net income for the third quarter 2016 was $81.4 million ($1.17 per diluted share), or $86.3 million ($1.24 per diluted share)1 excluding special items.

GAAP operating margin for the third quarter 2016 was 21.8 percent, or 23.0 percent2 excluding special items.

Spirit ended the third quarter 2016 with unrestricted cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $926.0 million.

Spirit's return on invested capital (before taxes and excluding special items) for the twelve months ended September 30, 2016 was 25.3 percent3.

“During the third quarter 2016, we saw sequential improvement in total revenue directly related to our own revenue initiatives as well as a modest improvement in the industry pricing environment, and are encouraged by the constructive trends we are seeing,” said Bob Fornaro, Spirit’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  “On the operations front, we made good strides toward improving our operational performance and for the months of July, August, and September, we set new company records for on-time performance. I applaud our team for the progress made to date towards achieving consistent reliability."
 
Revenue Performance
For the third quarter 2016, Spirit's total operating revenue was $621.3 million, an increase of 8.1 percent compared to the third quarter 2015, driven by a 12.6 percent increase in flight volume and 0.8 point increase in load factor, partially offset by a decrease in operating yields.

Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) for the third quarter 2016 decreased 7.0 percent compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by a decrease in passenger yield as a result of industry competitive pricing pressures. Although yields decreased year over year, throughout the third quarter 2016, the Company saw sequential improvement in the rate of decline.

On a per passenger flight segment ("PFS") basis, total revenue per PFS for the third quarter 2016 decreased 9.0 percent, or $10.84, year over year to $109.51, primarily driven by a 12.9 percent, or $8.62, decrease in ticket revenue per PFS related to industry competitive pricing pressures.
Non-ticket revenue declined 4.2 percent, or $2.22, year over year on a per PFS basis to $51.17, primarily driven by a modest decline in bag revenue per PFS.

Cost Performance
Total GAAP operating expenses, including special items of $7.8 million4 primarily related to lease termination charges, increased 16.4 percent, or $68.5 million, year over year to $486.1 million driven by

1




an increase in flight volume. Adjusted operating expense for the third quarter 2016 increased 14.6 percent, or $61.0 million, to $478.3 million5 on a capacity increase of 16.2 percent year over year.

Aircraft fuel expense increased in the third quarter 2016 by 5.1 percent, or $5.9 million, compared to the same period last year, due to a 15.7 percent increase in fuel gallons consumed, partially offset by an 8.8 percent decrease in the average economic fuel cost per gallon6.
 
Spirit reported third quarter 2016 cost per available seat mile ("ASM") excluding special items and fuel (“Adjusted CASM ex-fuel”)5 of 5.48 cents, an increase of 1.7 percent compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by higher salaries, wages, and benefits, and higher maintenance expense partially offset by lower aircraft rent per ASM.
 
"Our team continues to do a good job holding the line on core cost inflation. In addition, operational reliability improvements during the quarter produced more cost savings than we anticipated, provided a better product for our customers, and a better environment for our team members: a true "win-win-win" scenario," said Ted Christie, Spirit's Chief Financial Officer.

Labor
Spirit and its pilots, represented by the Airline Pilots Association, remain in open contract negotiations under the supervision of the National Mediation Board.

Fleet
During the third quarter 2016, Spirit took delivery of 2 new A321ceo aircraft, ending the quarter with 89 aircraft in its fleet.  Also, during the quarter, Spirit purchased three A319 aircraft off lease and extended the leases for two other A319 aircraft.

Share Repurchase
During the third quarter 2016, Spirit returned $38 million to shareholders by repurchasing approximately 0.9 million shares.  Year to date Spirit has returned $100 million to shareholders by repurchasing approximately 2.3 million shares.

Recent New Service Announcements
Boston - Orlando (10/7/16)
Philadelphia - Orlando (10/7/16)
Newark - Fort Lauderdale (10/30/16)
Newark - Orlando (10/30/16)
Kansas City - Orlando (11/10/16)
Akron-Canton - Fort Lauderdale (11/10/16)
Akron-Canton - Orlando (11/10/16)
Akron-Canton - Tampa (11/10/16)*
Akron-Canton - Fort Myers (11/11/16)*
Niagara Falls - Orlando (11/17/16)
Plattsburgh - Orlando (11/17/16
Baltimore - Fort Myers (11/10/16)
Baltimore - Tampa (11/10/16)
Fort Lauderdale - Havana, Cuba (12/1/16)**
Newark - Myrtle Beach (3/9/17)
Akron-Canton - Myrtle Beach (4/27/17)*
Akron-Canton - Las Vegas (4/27/17)


*seasonal
**subject to foreign government approval

2




Conference Call/Webcast Detail
Spirit will conduct a conference call to discuss these results today, October 25, 2016, at 9:00 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 400 daily flights to 56 destinations in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. Come save with us at www.spirit.com.

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 "Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income to GAAP Operating Income" table below for more details.
(3)
See "Calculation for Return on Invested Capital" table below for more details.
(4)
See "Special Items" table for more details.
(5) See "Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Expense to GAAP Operating Expense" table below for more details.
(6) See "Reconciliation of Economic Fuel Expense to GAAP Fuel Expense" table below for more details.


3






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 release. 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 above and the other information in this release. If any of the above 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.




4




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


 
Three Months Ended

 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
Percent
 
September 30,
 
Percent

2016

2015

Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Operating revenues:





 
 
 
 
 
 
Passenger
$
331,004


$
319,812


3.5

 
$
900,031

 
$
901,851

 
(0.2
)
Non-ticket
290,325


255,029


13.8

 
843,574

 
719,766

 
17.2

Total operating revenues
621,329


574,841


8.1

 
1,743,605

 
1,621,617

 
7.5







 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:





 
 
 
 
 
 
Aircraft fuel
121,844


115,899


5.1

 
321,018

 
356,232

 
(9.9
)
Salaries, wages and benefits
120,190


95,081


26.4

 
349,530

 
281,175

 
24.3

Aircraft rent
49,367


53,525


(7.8
)
 
151,433

 
159,440

 
(5.0
)
Landing fees and other rents
39,345


34,577


13.8

 
114,096

 
98,487

 
15.8

Distribution
25,565


23,074


10.8

 
73,190

 
65,920

 
11.0

Maintenance, materials and repairs
30,443


21,473


41.8

 
72,010

 
61,904

 
16.3

Depreciation and amortization
25,304


19,628


28.9

 
73,370

 
51,630

 
42.1

Other operating
66,277


54,151


22.4

 
197,833

 
156,071

 
26.8

Loss on disposal of assets
423


290


45.9

 
1,166

 
1,300

 
(10.3
)
Special charges (credits)
7,355


(76
)

nm

 
31,609

 
673

 
nm

Total operating expenses
486,113


417,622


16.4

 
1,385,255

 
1,232,832

 
12.4










 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
135,216


157,219


(14.0
)
 
358,350

 
388,785

 
(7.8
)






 
 
 
 
 
 
Other (income) expense:





 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
11,362


5,951


nm

 
29,588

 
13,182

 
nm

Capitalized interest
(3,067
)

(3,030
)

1.2

 
(9,163
)
 
(8,392
)
 
9.2

Interest income
(1,222
)

(233
)

nm

 
(4,235
)
 
(544
)
 
nm

Other expense
180


166


8.4

 
407

 
282

 
44.3

Total other (income) expense
7,253


2,854


nm

 
16,597

 
4,528

 
nm









 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
127,963


154,365


(17.1
)
 
341,753

 
384,257

 
(11.1
)
Provision for income taxes
46,581


57,251


(18.6
)
 
125,367

 
141,437

 
(11.4
)
Net income
$
81,382


$
97,114


(16.2
)
 
$
216,386

 
$
242,820

 
(10.9
)
Basic earnings per share
$
1.17


$
1.35


(13.3
)
 
$
3.06

 
$
3.35

 
(8.7
)
Diluted earnings per share
$
1.17


$
1.35


(13.3
)
 
$
3.05

 
$
3.34

 
(8.7
)






 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares, basic
69,727


71,738


(2.8
)
 
70,689

 
72,432

 
(2.4
)
Weighted average shares, diluted
69,808


71,884


(2.9
)
 
70,832

 
72,680

 
(2.5
)







5




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

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net income
$
81,382

 
$
97,114

 
$
216,386

 
$
242,820

Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate derivative instruments, net of deferred taxes of $0, ($320), $0 and ($511)

 
(553
)
 

 
(909
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities, net of deferred taxes of $3, $0, $3 and $0
4

 

 
4

 

Interest rate swap losses reclassified into earnings, net of taxes of $32, $15, $97 and $15
56

 
25

 
170

 
25

Other comprehensive income (loss)
$
60

 
$
(528
)
 
$
174

 
$
(884
)
Comprehensive income
$
81,442

 
$
96,586

 
$
216,560

 
$
241,936





6




SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.
Condensed Balance Sheets
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
825,904

 
$
803,632

Investment securities
100,083

 

Accounts receivable, net
35,892

 
28,266

Aircraft maintenance deposits
87,105

 
73,415

Prepaid income taxes
6,060

 
72,278

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
48,455

 
48,749

Total current assets
1,103,499

 
1,026,340

 
 
 
 
Property and equipment:
 
 
 
Flight equipment
1,386,310

 
834,927

Ground property and equipment
109,451

 
74,814

Less accumulated depreciation
(105,653
)
 
(65,524
)
 
1,390,108

 
844,217

Deposits on flight equipment purchase contracts
272,690

 
286,837

Long-term aircraft maintenance deposits
198,426

 
206,485

Deferred heavy maintenance, net
79,878

 
89,127

Other long-term assets
85,024

 
77,539

Total assets
$
3,129,625

 
$
2,530,545

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
29,906

 
$
17,043

Air traffic liability
238,793

 
216,831

Current maturities of long-term debt
84,443

 
49,637

Other current liabilities
217,779

 
182,729

Total current liabilities
570,921

 
466,240

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
894,809

 
596,693

Long-term deferred income taxes
299,231

 
221,481

Deferred gains and other long-term liabilities
20,108

 
20,821

Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock
7

 
7

Additional paid-in-capital
549,375

 
544,277

Treasury stock, at cost
(218,572
)
 
(116,182
)
Retained earnings
1,015,140

 
798,754

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(1,394
)
 
(1,546
)
Total shareholders’ equity
1,344,556

 
1,225,310

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
3,129,625

 
$
2,530,545



7




SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.
Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
216,386

 
242,820

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:
 
 
 
Unrealized losses on open derivative contracts, net

 
2,239

Losses reclassified from other comprehensive income
267

 

Equity-based compensation
5,503

 
6,999

Allowance for doubtful accounts
213

 
7

Amortization of deferred gains and losses
3,837

 
730

Depreciation and amortization
73,370

 
51,630

Deferred income tax expense
77,627

 
63,960

Loss on disposal of assets
1,166

 
1,300

Lease termination cost
31,609

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(7,840
)
 
(10,374
)
Aircraft maintenance deposits
(38,299
)
 
(17,488
)
Prepaid income taxes
66,218

 

Long-term deposits and other assets
(43,252
)
 
(44,294
)
Accounts payable
(7,044
)
 
2,340

Air traffic liability
21,684

 
56,960

Other liabilities
38,596

 
12,161

Net cash provided by operating activities
440,041

 
368,990

Investing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
50

 

Capitalized interest
(7,032
)
 
(2,707
)
Pre-delivery deposits for flight equipment, net of refunds
(109,260
)
 
(87,658
)
Purchase of investment securities
(100,076
)
 

Purchase of property and equipment
(447,455
)
 
(451,799
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(663,773
)
 
(542,164
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
378,569

 
416,000

Proceeds from stock options exercised
92

 
32

Payments on debt and capital lease obligations
(29,663
)
 
(16,609
)
Proceeds from sale and leaseback transactions

 
7,300

Excess tax benefit (deficiency) from equity-based compensation
(497
)
 
8,818

Repurchase of common stock
(102,390
)
 
(112,162
)
Debt issuance costs
(107
)
 
(14,092
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
246,004

 
289,287

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
22,272

 
116,113

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
803,632

 
632,784

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
825,904

 
$
748,897

Supplemental disclosures
 
 
 
Cash payments for:
 
 
 
Interest, net of capitalized interest
$
26,025

 
$
3,851

Income taxes paid, net of refunds
$
(18,169
)
 
$
95,135


8




SPIRIT AIRLINES, INC.
Selected Operating Statistics (unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,

 
Operating Statistics
2016

2015

Change
Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)
6,507,204


5,597,997


16.2
 %
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)
5,599,370


4,768,692


17.4
 %
Load factor (%)
86.0


85.2


0.8 pts

Passenger flight segments (thousands)
5,674


4,776


18.8
 %
Block hours
98,586


88,045


12.0
 %
Departures
38,310


34,032


12.6
 %
Total operating revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents)
9.55


10.27


(7.0
)%
Average yield (cents)
11.10


12.05


(7.9
)%
Average ticket revenue per passenger flight segment ($)
58.34


66.96


(12.9
)%
Average non-ticket revenue per passenger flight segment ($)
51.17


53.39


(4.2
)%
Total revenue per passenger flight segment ($)
109.51


120.35


(9.0
)%
CASM (cents)
7.47


7.46


0.1
 %
Adjusted CASM (cents) (1)
7.35


7.45


(1.3
)%
Adjusted CASM ex-fuel (cents) (2)
5.48


5.39


1.7%

Fuel gallons consumed (thousands)
78,288


67,684


15.7
 %
Average economic fuel cost per gallon ($)
1.56


1.71


(8.8
)%
Aircraft at end of period
89


76


17.1
 %
Average daily aircraft utilization (hours)
12.3


12.8


(3.9)%

Average stage length (miles)
968


983


(1.5
)%
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
Operating Statistics
2016

2015

Change
Available seat miles (ASMs) (thousands)
18,909,627


15,540,759


21.7
 %
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (thousands)
16,219,093


13,267,314


22.2
 %
Load factor (%)
85.8


85.4


0.4
  pts
Passenger flight segments (thousands)
16,268


13,271


22.6
 %
Block hours
290,529


248,941


16.7
 %
Departures
111,495


95,240


17.1
 %
Total operating revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents)
9.22


10.43


(11.6
)%
Average yield (cents)
10.75


12.22


(12.0
)%
Average ticket revenue per passenger flight segment ($)
55.32


67.96


(18.6
)%
Average non-ticket revenue per passenger flight segment ($)
51.85


54.24


(4.4
)%
Total revenue per passenger flight segment ($)
107.17


122.20


(12.3
)%
CASM (cents)
7.33


7.93


(7.6
)%
Adjusted CASM (cents) (1)
7.15


7.93


(9.8
)%
Adjusted CASM ex-fuel (cents) (2)
5.45


5.63


(3.2
)%
Fuel gallons consumed (thousands)
225,851


187,541


20.4
 %
Average economic fuel cost per gallon ($)
1.42


1.91


(25.7
)%
Average daily aircraft utilization (hours)
12.6


12.8


(1.6)%

Average stage length (miles)
978


982


(0.4
)%



(1)
Excludes special items.
(2)
Excludes economic fuel expense and special items.



9





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 analytical tools. 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
 
September 30,
(in thousands)
2016

2015
Operating special items include the following (1):
 
 
 
Unrealized losses (gains) related to fuel derivative contracts
$

 
$
82

Loss on disposal of assets
423

 
290

Special charges
7,355

 
(76
)
Total operating special items
$
7,778

 
$
296


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


 
Three Months Ended

September 30,
(in thousands, except CASM data in cents)
2016

2015
Total operating expenses, as reported
$
486,113

 
$
417,622

Less operating special items (1)
7,778

 
296

Adjusted operating expenses, non-GAAP (2)
478,335

 
417,326

Less: Economic fuel expense
121,844

 
115,817

Adjusted operating expenses excluding fuel, non-GAAP (3)
$
356,491

 
$
301,509


 
 
 
Available seat miles
6,507,204

 
5,597,997


 
 
 
CASM (cents)
7.47

 
7.46

Adjusted CASM (cents) (2)
7.35

 
7.45

Adjusted CASM ex-fuel (cents) (3)
5.48

 
5.39



(1)
Special items include unrealized gains and losses related to outstanding fuel derivative contracts, loss on disposal of assets, and special charges. Special charges for the third quarter 2016 are primarily related to lease termination costs.
(2)
Excludes operating special items.
(3)
Excludes operating special items and economic fuel expense as described in the "Reconciliation of Economic Fuel Expense to GAAP Fuel Expense" table below.




10




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

 
Three Months Ended
 
September 30,
(in thousands, except per share data)
2016
 
2015
Net income, as reported
$
81,382

 
$
97,114

Add: Provision for income taxes
46,581

 
57,251

Income before income taxes, as reported
127,963

 
154,365

Pre-tax margin, GAAP
20.6
%
 
26.9
%
Add operating special items (1)
7,778

 
296

Income before income taxes, non-GAAP (2)
135,741

 
154,661

Adjusted pre-tax margin, non-GAAP (2)
21.8
%
 
26.9
%
Provision for income taxes (3)
49,412

 
57,361

Adjusted net income, non-GAAP (2)(3)
$
86,329

 
$
97,300

 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares, diluted
69,808

 
71,884

 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income per share, diluted (2)(3)
$1.24
 
$1.35



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

 
Three Months Ended

September 30,
(in thousands)
2016
 
2015
Operating income, as reported
$
135,216


$
157,219

Operating margin, GAAP
21.8
%

27.3
%
Add operating special items (1)
7,778

 
296

Adjusted operating income, non-GAAP (2)
$
142,994


$
157,515

Adjusted operating margin, non-GAAP (2)
23.0
%

27.4
%








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





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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
 
September 30,
(in thousands, except per gallon data)
2016
 
2015
Fuel expense



Aircraft fuel, as reported
$
121,844


$
115,899

Less:





     Unrealized losses (gains) related to fuel derivative contracts


82

Economic fuel expense, non-GAAP
$
121,844


$
115,817





Fuel gallons consumed
78,288


67,684





Economic fuel cost per gallon, non-GAAP
$
1.56


$
1.71


Calculation of Return on Invested Capital
(unaudited)
 
Twelve Months Ended
(in thousands)
September 30, 2016
Operating Income
$
478,687

Add operating special items (1)
31,091

Adjustment for aircraft rent
203,524

Adjusted operating income (2)
713,302

Tax (36.8%) (3)
262,495

Adjusted operating income, after-tax
450,807

Invested Capital
 
Total debt
$
979,252

Book equity
1,344,556

Less: Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents & short-term investments
925,987

Add: Capitalized aircraft operating leases (7x Aircraft Rent)
1,424,668

Total invested capital
2,822,489

 
 
Return on invested capital (ROIC), pre-tax (2)
25.3
%
Return on invested capital (ROIC), after-tax (2)(3)
16.0
%

(1)
Special items include unrealized gains or losses related to outstanding fuel derivative contracts, loss on disposal of assets, and special charges primarily related to lease termination costs.
(2)
Excludes special items as described above.
(3)
Assumes the same marginal tax rate as is applicable to GAAP net income for the twelve months ended September 30, 2016.
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