NASDAQ$ULCC

Frontier Group Holdings Inc · Q4 2023 earnings

Q4 2023 earnings · · Investor relations

Briefing

Frontier's Q4 2023 financial performance was reported, showing a decrease in total operating revenues but improved cost management.

Frontier Airlines reported a decrease in total operating revenues to $891 million, a 2% decrease compared to Q4 2022. Despite the revenue decrease, the company significantly outperformed guidance due to strong operational performance and cost execution. Pre-tax income stood at $6 million, with an adjusted pre-tax income of $7 million. The company is focusing on network simplification, revenue diversification, and cost savings initiatives to expand profitability in 2024.

  • Pre-tax margin was 0.7 percent, and adjusted pre-tax margin was 0.8 percent.
  • Total operating revenues were $891 million, a 2 percent decrease compared to the same quarter in 2022.
  • Cost per available seat mile (CASM) decreased by 10 percent compared to 2022.
  • Frontier Miles loyalty program was reimagined for 2024.

Headline financials

Total Revenue

$891M

Previous: $906M-1.7%
EPS (adj)

-$0.17

Previous: $0.18-192.6%
CASM (cents)

$8.93

No prior period
Load Factor

78.1%

No prior period
Average Seats per Departure

201

No prior period
Net Income

-$37M

Previous: $40M-192.5%
Operating Income

-$3M

Previous: $45M-106.7%
Gross Profit

$36M

Previous: $116M-69.0%
Stock-Based Comp

$4M

Previous: $4M+0.0%

Revenue & EPS history

Frontier · Revenue · Quarterly

$891M

Q4 2023-1.7%vs Q4 2022
Beat estimate in 5 of 15 quarters(33%)
ActualEstimate

Revenue by segment

Frontier · $883M total across 2 segments · Q3 2023

  • Passenger
    $862M-2.4%
  • Other
    $21M-8.7%

Forward guidance

The Company continues to see sequential improvement in the revenue environment as adjusted for seasonality. The Company is focusing its growth on overpriced and underserved 'VFR' (Visiting Friends and Relatives) markets which, alongside network simplification, revenue diversification and cost savings initiatives, are expected to expand profitability in 2024.

Tailwinds

  • Capacity is anticipated to grow 5 to 7 percent compared to the 2023 quarter.
  • Fuel costs are expected to be $2.85 to $2.95 per gallon based on the blended fuel curve on February 2, 2024.
  • Adjusted (non-GAAP) total operating expenses (excluding fuel) are anticipated to be $645 to $660 million.
  • The effective tax rate is estimated to be approximately 23 percent.
  • Capacity is anticipated to grow 12 to 15 percent compared to 2023

Headwinds

  • Adjusted (non-GAAP) pre-tax loss margin is expected to be (4) to (7) percent (excluding special items).
  • The Company is unable to reconcile these forward-looking projections to GAAP as the nature or amount of such special items cannot be determined at this time.
  • Given the dynamic nature of the current demand environment, actual capacity adjustments made by the Company may be materially different than what is currently expected.
  • Amount estimated excludes fuel expense and special items, the latter of which are not estimable at this time.
  • The Company’s first quarter actual tax rate may differ from the forecasted rate due to varying factors

Historical earnings impact

How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.

Avg. return before/after earnings

Based on 20 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q4 2023

Historical avgQ4 2023

+2.4%

Avg return

Earnings day

+2.8%

Avg return

5 days after

+0.4%

Avg return

30 days after

56%

14 / 25 earnings

Positive

+33.8%

Q4 2023

Best reaction

-18.4%

Q1 2023

Worst reaction

Earnings price reactions
QuarterReport dateReaction (Day 0)+5 days+30 days
Q1 2026+10.5%+15.1%+35.7%
Q4 2025-7.9%-10.2%-43.5%
Q3 2025+0.3%-1.6%+34.3%
Q1 2025+7.6%+12.2%+29.3%
Q4 2024+15.5%+14.3%-17.9%
Q3 2024-14.0%-17.9%-21.7%
Q2 2024+0.6%-1.0%+21.0%
Q1 2024-1.4%+2.7%-6.3%
Q4 2023+33.8%+47.0%+45.8%
Q3 2023-1.0%-11.7%+5.2%
Q2 2023-9.7%-13.0%-32.5%
Q1 2023-18.4%-13.6%-2.5%
Q4 2022-15.0%-16.5%-21.8%
Q3 2022+19.7%+32.2%+35.7%
Q2 2022+28.2%+32.1%+21.8%
Q1 2022+1.5%+0.8%+0.0%
Q4 2019+3.3%+2.1%-10.3%
Q4 2021+7.3%+10.2%-12.8%
Q3 2021-3.5%-2.9%-18.2%
Q3 2020-3.5%-2.9%-18.2%
Q2 2021+0.0%-2.6%+3.4%
Q2 2020+0.0%-2.6%+3.4%
Q1 2021+1.9%-0.6%-6.7%
Q4 2020+1.9%-0.6%-6.7%
Q1 2020+1.9%-0.6%-6.7%
Q1 2017
Q1 2016

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