EX-99.1 2 tv493613_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Copa Holdings Reports Net Income of $136.5 million and EPS of $3.22 for the First Quarter of 2018

 

Panama City, Panama --- May 9, 2018. Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE: CPA), today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2018 (1Q18). The terms “Copa Holdings" and "the Company" refer to the consolidated entity. The following financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). See the accompanying reconciliation of non-IFRS financial information to IFRS financial information included in the financial tables section of this earnings release. Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons with prior periods refer to the first quarter of 2017 (1Q17).

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

§Copa Holdings reported net income of US$136.5 million for 1Q18 or earnings per share (EPS) of US$3.22, as compared to net income of US$101.0 million or earnings per share of US$2.38 in 1Q17.

 

§Operating income for 1Q18 came in at US$143.4 million, representing a 23.4% increase over operating income of US$116.2 million in 1Q17, as a result of a 7.2% increase in unit revenues (RASM), which outpaced the 5.6% oil-driven increase in unit costs (CASM). Operating margin for 1Q18 came in at a strong 20.1%, compared to an operating margin of 18.9% in 1Q17.

 

§For 1Q18, consolidated passenger traffic grew 10.4% while consolidated capacity grew 8.4%. As a result, consolidated load factor for the quarter increased 1.5 percentage points to 83.0%.

 

§Total revenues for 1Q18 increased 16.2% to US$715.0 million. Yield per passenger mile increased 5.3% to 13.3 cents and RASM came in at 11.4 cents, or 7.2% above 1Q17.

 

§Operating cost per available seat mile (CASM) increased 5.6%, from 8.6 cents in 1Q17 to 9.1 cents in 1Q18. CASM excluding fuel costs increased 1.1% from 6.2 cents in 1Q17 to 6.3 cents in 1Q18, mainly as a result of maintenance events related to an aircraft lease return.

 

§Cash, short-term and long-term investments ended the quarter slightly over US$1.0 billion, representing 38% of the last twelve months’ revenues.

 

§Copa Holdings ended the quarter with a consolidated fleet of 100 aircraft – 67 Boeing 737-800s, 14 Boeing 737-700s, and 19 Embraer-190s.

 

§For 1Q18, Copa Airlines had an on-time performance of 91.3% and a flight-completion factor of 99.8%, maintaining its position among the best in the industry.

 

Subsequent Events

 

§In April 2018, the company took delivery of one Boeing 737-800, increasing the consolidated fleet to 101 aircraft.

 

§Copa Holdings will pay its second quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share on June 15, to all Class A and Class B shareholders on record as of May 31, 2018.

 

   

Consolidated Financial
& Operating Highlights		 1Q18 1Q17* Variance
vs. 1Q17		 4Q17* Variance
vs. 4Q17
Revenue Passengers Carried ('000) 2,465 2,264 8.9% 2,460 0.2%
RPMs (mm)  5,223 4,732 10.4% 5,086 2.7%
ASMs (mm)  6,297 5,808 8.4% 6,111 3.0%
Load Factor  83.0% 81.5% 1.5 p.p. 83.2% -0.3 p.p.
Yield 13.3 12.6 5.3% 12.7 4.5%
PRASM (US$ Cents)  11.0 10.3 7.2% 10.6 4.1%
RASM (US$ Cents)  11.4 10.6 7.2% 11.0 3.7%
CASM (US$ Cents)  9.1 8.6 5.6% 9.1 -0.1%
CASM Excl. Fuel (US$ Cents)  6.3 6.2 1.1% 6.5 -2.4%
Fuel Gallons Consumed (Millions)  80.1 74.2 8.0% 78.7 1.8%
Avg. Price Per Fuel Gallon (US$ Dollars) 2.16 1.84 17.6% 2.03 6.7%
Average Length of Haul (Miles) 2,119 2,090 1.4% 2,067 2.5%
Average Stage Length (Miles) 1,322 1,275 3.7% 1,292 2.3%
Departures 32,339 31,095 4.0% 32,183 0.5%
Block Hours 108,635 101,495 7.0% 106,750 1.8%
Average Aircraft Utilization (Hours) 12.0 11.3 6.1% 11.6 3.3%
Operating Revenues (US$ mm)  715.0 615.3 16.2% 669.3 6.8%
Operating Income (US$ mm) 143.4 116.2 23.4% 114.1 25.7%
Operating Margin  20.1% 18.9% 1.2 p.p. 17.1% 3.0 p.p.
Net Income (US$ mm) 136.5 101.0 35.1% 94.6 44.3%
Adjusted Net Income (US$ mm) (1) 136.5 101.9 34.0% 94.0 45.1%
EPS - Basic and Diluted (US$) 3.22 2.38 35.0% 2.23 44.3%
Adjusted EPS - Basic and Diluted (US$) (1) 3.22 2.40 33.8% 2.22 45.1%
# of Shares - Basic and Diluted ('000)  42,439 42,396 0.1% 42,430 0.0%

 

(1)Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS for 1Q17, and 4Q17 exclude non-cash charges/gains associated with the mark-to-market of fuel hedges.

 

* Restated for retrospective adoption of IFRS15.

 

Note: Attached to this press release is a reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures to the comparable IFRS measures.

 

MANAGEMENT’S COMMENTS ON 1Q18 RESULTS

 

Copa Holdings’ first quarter results reflect a healthy demand environment and great execution. Higher load factors and yields produced a significant unit revenue improvement, which outpaced an oil-driven increase in unit costs and resulted in a year over year margin expansion.

 

Consolidated operating revenues increased 16.2% to US$715 million during the quarter on capacity growth of 8.4%. Load factor came in at 83.0%, or 1.5 percentage points above 1Q17, while yields came in at 13.3 cents, or 5.3% higher than 1Q17. As a result, passenger revenues per ASM (PRASM) increased 7.2% from 10.3 cents in 1Q17 to 11.0 cents in 1Q18.

 

Operating expenses for 1Q18 increased 14.5% to US$571.6 million, while operating expenses per ASM (CASM) increased 5.6% to 9.1 cents. Excluding fuel costs, unit costs increased 1.1% to 6.3 cents, mainly as a result of one-time maintenance events related to lease returns.

 

Aircraft fuel expense increased 27.6% or US$37.6 million compared to 1Q17, as a result of higher jet fuel prices and increased capacity. The Company’s effective jet fuel price increased 17.6%, from an average of US$1.84 per gallon in 1Q17 to US$2.16 per gallon in 1Q18.

 

The Company recorded non-operating income of US$4.9 million for 1Q18 compared to non-operating expense of US$4.2 million for 1Q17. Non-operating income for 1Q18 includes a US$7.7 million translation gain due to foreign currency fluctuations, and a net interest expense of US$3.3 million, while 1Q17 non-operating expense includes a net interest expense of US$5.5 million, a US$1.5 million expense due to changes in the fair value of derivatives and other expenses, and a US$2.7 million translation gain due to foreign currency fluctuations.

 

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Copa Holdings closed the quarter with slightly over a US$1 billion in cash, short-term and long-term investments, representing approximately 38% of last twelve months´ revenues.

 

Total debt at the end of 1Q18 amounted to US$1.14 billion compared to US$1.17 billion at the end of 1Q17, all of which is related to aircraft financing.

 

The company has a very solid business model, which is based on operating the best and most convenient network for intra-Latin America travel from our hub based in Panama’s advantageous geographic position, with the region’s lowest unit costs, best on-time performance, and strongest balance sheet. Going forward, the Company expects to continue strengthening its long-term competitive position by taking advantage of new growth opportunities and implementing initiatives to further strengthen its network and product.

 

OUTLOOK FOR 2018

 

For 2018, the Company updates its guidance as follows: Consolidated capacity is expected to grow approximately 9%, and given the higher fuel prices and the Venezuela cancellations occurring in the 2Q18, operating margin is now expected to come at the lower end of the range of 17 to 19 percent.

 

Financial Outlook  

2018

Guidance

2017*

Actual

Capacity - YOY ASM Growth +/-9% 8.8%
Operating Margin 17-19% 17.3%

 

Factored into the above mentioned outlook is a load factor of approximately 84%, Unit Revenues (RASM) of 11 cents, Unit Costs excluding Fuel (Ex-Fuel CASM) of 6.3 cents and a higher estimated effective price per gallon of jet fuel, including into-plane costs, of US$2.25 per gallon.

 

*Restated for retrospective adoption of IFRS15.

 

CONSOLIDATED FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

 

Operating revenue

 

Consolidated revenue for 1Q18 totaled US$715 million, a 16.2% or US$99.8 million increase over operating revenue of US$615.3 million in 1Q17, mainly due to a 16.3% or US$97.2 million increase in passenger revenue.

 

Passenger revenue totaled US$694.9 million, an increase of 16.3% from passenger revenue of US$597.7 million in 1Q17. A 1.5 percentage point increase in load factor, combined with a 5.3% increase in passenger yield, resulted in a 7.2% increase in PRASM.

 

Cargo and mail revenue totaled US$14.3 million in 1Q18, an 11.5% increase from 1Q17.

 

Other operating revenue totaled US$5.8 million in 1Q18, a 23.8% increase from other operating revenue of US$4.7 million in 1Q17 mostly due to higher frequent flyer program revenues.

 

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Operating expenses

 

For 1Q18, operating expenses increased 14.5% to US$571.6 million, representing operating cost per available seat mile (CASM) of 9.1 cents. Operating cost per available seat mile excluding fuel costs (CASM Excl. Fuel), increased 1.1% from 6.2 cents in 1Q17 to 6.3 cents in 1Q18.

 

Fuel totaled US$174 million, a US$37.6 million or 27.6% increase over aircraft fuel expense of US$136.3 million in 1Q17. This increase was a result of 8% more gallons consumed given additional capacity, and a 17.6% higher average price per gallon of jet fuel (all-in), which averaged US$2.16 in 1Q18, compared to US$1.84 in 1Q17.

 

Wages, salaries, benefits and other employees' expenses totaled US$110.6 million, a 9.7% increase over salaries and benefits of US$100.8 million in 1Q17. This was mainly driven by growth in operational staff to support current capacity and future growth, as well as salary adjustments.

 

Passenger servicing totaled US$25.5 million, a 10.3% increase over passenger servicing of US$23.1 million in 1Q17. This increase resulted primarily from passenger traffic growth and an increase in average length of haul.

 

Airport facilities and handling charges totaled US$44.5 million, an 8.7% increase over US$41.0 million in 1Q17. This was primarily a result of an increase in departures and passenger traffic.

 

Sales and distribution totaled US$53.8 million, an 8.1% increase over an expense of US$49.8 million in 1Q17. This increase was mainly a result of higher net bookings due to additional passengers carried.

 

Maintenance, material and repairs totaled US$31.7 million, a 23.9% increase from maintenance, material and repairs of US$25.6 million in 1Q17. This was a result of one-time maintenance events related to an aircraft lease return.

 

Depreciation and amortization totaled US$41.9 million in 1Q18, a 5.4% increase over depreciation of US$39.8 million in 1Q17, mainly due to fleet growth and an increase in engine events amortization.

 

Flight operations, aircraft rentals and other rentals, cargo and courier expenses combined increased 5.6%, from US$59.7 million in 1Q17 to US$63.0 million in 1Q18, mainly as a result of additional flying, partly offset by lower aircraft rental expenses.

 

Other operating and administrative expenses totaled US$26.6 million in 1Q18, an increase of 15.6% vs 1Q17, mainly as a result of IT projects expenses.

 

Non-operating Income (Expense)

 

Consolidated non-operating income (expense) resulted in a net income of US$4.9 million in 1Q18, compared to a net expense of US$4.2 million in 1Q17.

 

Finance cost totaled US$8.6 million in 1Q18, a 4% decrease from US$8.9 million in 1Q17.

 

Finance income totaled US$5.2 million, a 52.3% increase over US$3.4 million in 1Q17, as a result of higher cash balance and higher investment yields.

 

Gain (loss) on foreign currency fluctuations totaled a US$7.7 million gain, compared to a US$2.7 million gain in 1Q17. This gain was mainly driven by a translation gain on Venezuelan Bolivar denominated payables.

 

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Net change in the value of derivatives had no effect in 1Q18 as we had no derivative contracts, compared to a loss of US$0.9 million in 1Q17 related to the mark to market of fuel hedge contracts.

 

Other non-operating (income) expense resulted in a net income of US$0.5 million in 1Q18 compared to a net expense of US$0.6 million in 1Q17, mainly related to a one-time fee reimbursement.

 

About Copa Holdings

Copa Holdings is a leading Latin American provider of passenger and cargo services.  The Company, through its operating subsidiaries, provides service to 78 destinations in 32 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean with one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the industry, consisting of 101 aircraft: 82 Boeing 737NG aircraft and 19 EMBRAER-190s. For more information visit: www.copa.com.

 

CONTACT: Copa Holdings S.A.

Investor Relations:

Ph: 011 507 304-2774

www.copa.com (IR section)

 

This release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and expectations, and are not guarantees of future performance. They are based on management’s expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. The risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements in this release are among those disclosed in Copa Holdings’ filed disclosure documents and are, therefore, subject to change without prior notice.

 

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Copa Holdings, S.A.                    
Income Statement - IFRS                    
(US$ Thousands)                    
                     
    Unaudited   Unaudited   %   Unaudited   %
    1Q18   1Q17*   Change   4Q17*   Change
Operating Revenues                    
Passenger revenue   694,912   597,736   16.3%   647,776   7.3%
Cargo and mail revenue   14,337   12,856   11.5%   14,841   -3.4%
Other operating revenue   5,775   4,665   23.8%   6,665   -13.4%
Total Operating Revenue   715,024   615,257   16.2%   669,282   6.8%
                     
Operating Expenses                    
Fuel   173,957   136,343   27.6%   159,556   9.0%
Wages, salaries, benefits and other employees' expenses   110,630   100,817   9.7%   110,952   -0.3%
Passenger servicing   25,462   23,074   10.3%   26,481   -3.8%
Airport facilities and handling charges   44,547   40,966   8.7%   42,238   5.5%
Sales and distribution   53,779   49,760   8.1%   51,452   4.5%
Maintenance, materials and repairs   31,724   25,596   23.9%   31,932   -0.7%
Depreciation and amortization   41,909   39,775   5.4%   42,151   -0.6%
Flight operations   27,664   24,031   15.1%   25,082   10.3%
Aircraft rentals and other rentals   33,330   34,231   -2.6%   33,313   0.1%
Cargo and courier expenses   2,047   1,464   39.8%   2,218   -7.7%
Other operating and administrative expenses   26,579   23,001   15.6%   29,790   -10.8%
Total Operating Expense   571,628   499,059   14.5%   555,165   3.0%
                     
Operating Profit   143,396   116,198   23.4%   114,117   25.7%
                     
Non-operating Income (Expense):                    
Finance cost   (8,564)   (8,921)   -4.0%   (8,725)   -1.8%
Finance income   5,248   3,446   52.3%   5,443   -3.6%
Gain (loss) on foreign currency fluctuations   7,723   2,723   183.7%   (5,676)   n/m
Net change in fair value of derivatives   -   (860)   n/m   540   n/m
Other non-operating income (expense)   496   (615)   n/m   (916)   n/m
Total Non-Operating Income/(Expense)   4,902   (4,227)   n/m   (9,334)   n/m
                     
Profit before taxes   148,298   111,971   32.4%   104,783   41.5%
                     
Income tax expense   11,825   10,971   7.8%   10,212   15.8%
                     
Net Profit   136,473   101,000   35.1%   94,571   44.3%
                     
                     
EPS - Basic and Diluted   3.22   2.38   35.0%   2.23   44.3%
Shares - Basic and Diluted   42,438,748   42,395,784   0.1%   42,429,821   0.0%
                     
*  Restated for retrospective adoption of IFRS 15                     

 

 6

Copa Holdings, S. A. and subsidiaries     
Balance Sheet - IFRS    
(US$ Thousands) March December 31
  2018 2017
  (Unaudited)  (Restated) * 
     
ASSETS     
     
Current Assets    
Cash and cash equivalents                  196,584                  238,792
Restricted cash and cash equivalents                            -                               -   
Short-term investments                  650,110                  705,108
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments                  846,694                  943,900
     
Accounts receivable, net                  148,900                  115,323
Accounts receivable from related parties                      1,499                         318
Expendable parts and supplies, net                    84,849                    81,825
Prepaid expenses                    51,538                    45,421
Other current assets                    11,843                    11,701
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS               1,145,323               1,198,488
     
Long-term investments                  155,313                    65,953
Long-term accounts receivable                      2,365                      2,444
Long-term prepaid expenses                    25,714                    26,130
Property and equipment, net               2,863,901               2,825,904
Intangible, net                    84,951                    81,115
Net pension asset                      3,561                      3,185
Deferred tax assets                    17,592                    18,572
Other Non-Current Assets                    31,285                    31,140
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS               3,184,682               3,054,443
     
TOTAL ASSETS               4,330,005               4,252,931
     
 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY     
     
Current Liabilities:    
Current maturities of long-term debt                  253,944                  298,462
Accounts payable                  118,200                  116,554
Accounts payable to related parties                    14,405                    12,880
Air traffic liability                  485,199                  477,168
Frequent flyer deferred revenue                    54,959                    50,312
Taxes and interest payable                    89,058                    81,440
Accrued expenses payable                     38,616                    60,321
Income tax payable                      6,522                      3,700
Other Current Liabilities                      1,444                      1,156
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES               1,062,347               1,101,993
     
Long-term debt                  889,011                  876,119
Other long - term liabilities                  130,834                  123,182
Deferred tax Liabilities                    45,268                    50,628
TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES               1,065,113               1,049,929
     
TOTAL LIABILITIES               2,127,460               2,151,922
     
 EQUITY     
Issued Capital    
Class A - 33,796,272 issued and 31,243,732 outstanding                    21,078                    21,038
Class B - 10,938,125 shares issued and outstanding                      7,466                      7,466
Additional Paid-In Capital                    74,871                    72,945
Treasury Stock                 (136,388)                 (136,388)
Retained Earnings               2,102,933               1,775,426
Net Income                  136,473                  364,410
Other Comprehensive Income                     (3,888)                     (3,888)
TOTAL EQUITY               2,202,545               2,101,009
     
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY               4,330,005               4,252,931
     
*  Restated for retrospective adoption of IFRS 15     

   

 7

Copa Holdings, S. A. and subsidiaries            
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows            
For the three months ended March 31,            
(In US$ thousands)            
   2018   2017   2016 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Cash flow from operating activities   145,019    132,752    118,934 
Cash flow used in investing activities   (74,198)   (74,800)   (42,044)
Cash flow used in financing activities   (113,029)   (119,743)   (71,652)
Net (decrease) increase  in cash and cash equivalents   (42,208)   (61,791)   5,238 
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1   238,792    331,687    204,715 
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31  $196,584   $269,896   $209,953 
                
Short-term investments   650,110    570,497    457,505 
Long-term investments   155,313    954    864 
Restricted cash and cash equivalents   -    -    55,611 
Total cash and cash equivalents and investments at March 31  $1,002,007   $841,347   $723,933 

 

* Restricted cash corresponds to margin calls to secure derivative financial instruments transactions.

 

Copa Holdings, S.A.

 

NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURE RECONCILIATION

 

This press release includes the following non IFRS financial measures: CASM Excluding Fuel, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS. This supplemental information is presented because we believe it is a useful indicator of our operating performance and is useful in comparing our performance with other companies in the airline industry. These measures should not be considered in isolation, and should be considered together with comparable IFRS measures, in particular operating income and net income. The following is a reconciliation of these non-IFRS financial measures to the comparable IFRS measures:

 

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Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income            
and Adjusted EPS  1Q18   1Q17*   4Q17* 
             
Net profit as Reported  $136,473   $101,000   $94,571 
                
Special Items (adjustments):               
Net change in fair value of derivatives       $860   $(540)
Adjusted Net Income  $136,473   $101,860   $94,031 
                
Shares used for Computation (in thousands)               
Basic and Diluted  $42,439   $42,396   $42,430 
                
Adjusted earnings per share - Basic and Diluted  $3.22   $2.40   $2.22 

 

Reconciliation of Operating Costs per ASM            
Excluding Fuel (CASM Excl. Fuel)  1Q18   1Q17*   4Q17* 
             
Operating Costs per ASM as Reported (in US$ Cents)   9.1    8.6    9.1 
Aircraft fuel per ASM  (in US$ Cents)   (2.8)   (2.3)   (2.6)
Operating Costs per ASM excluding fuel  (in US$ Cents)   6.3    6.2    6.5 

 

*  Restated for retrospective adoption of IFRS 15

 

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