The United States is projecting a deficit of about $600 billion. In the U.K., their government intends to run a deficit until 2018-19. Meanwhile, in Canada, the …

For Immediate Release
 
Chicago, IL – February 12, 2014 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include the Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV–Free Report), Delta Airlines Inc. (DAL–Free Report), United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL–Free Report), American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL–Free Report) and Airgas, Inc. (ARG–Free Report).
 
Today, Zacks is promoting its ”Buy” stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:

Southwest Targets Rivals’ Soft Markets

Leading U.S. passenger carrier Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV–Free Report) is eyeing those markets in which rival carriers have downsized their operations. Southwest wants to tap opportunities in these markets by leveraging from its recent slot pair wins in New York and Washington D.C.  

The Dallas-based carrier is targeting Memphis, Tennessee, where rival Delta Airlines Inc. (DAL–Free Report) trimmed operations last year. Also on Southwest’s list is the Midwestern city of Cleveland which United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL–Free Report) no longer wants as its hub. Despite being small markets, Southwest is encouraged by the growth opportunities that these offer. We expect Southwest – known for its low fares – will get a strong foothold in these markets with competitive ticket prices.

Such a practice is not new for Southwest, as the carrier has previously benefited by scaling its operations in the city of Nashville in the 1990s and in St Louis, Missouri, where the erstwhile American Airlines had downsized its service.

The last few months have been really fruitful for Southwest. In Dec 2013, Southwest acquired 22 take-off and landing slots at New York’s La Guardia airport (:LGA) and recently won bids to purchase 27 take-off and landing slots at Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington. The slot purchase is part of a mega merger deal between American Airlines and U.S. Airways Group that led to the formation of American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL–Free Report).

The company has decided to add flights to Nashville, Texas, Chicago and Ohio from LGA and expects to expand its operations to large and mid-sized cities from DCA. Apart from slot purchases, the company delivered a stellar fourth quarter of 2013, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate on both lines.

These positives were, supported by the company’s announcement that it will operate non-stop flights from Dallas starting Oct 13, when the Wright Amendment act is lifted. Additionally, the major passenger carrier has also decided to fly beyond national boundaries to three destinations in the Caribbean Island from Jul 2014. It is thus an encouraging time for both Southwest investors and passengers.  

Southwest sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Airgas Down to Underperform

On Feb 7, we downgraded our recommendation from Neutral to Underperform on Airgas, Inc. (ARG–Free Report) as its estimates have undergone negative revisions following the third-quarter earnings results and trimmed fiscal 2014 guidance. Helium supply constraints, larger-than-expected R-22 impacts and uncertainty in the construction sector also remain headwinds for this supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and hardgoods.

Why Downgraded?

Airgas, Inc. posted adjusted earnings of $1.18 a share in third-quarter fiscal 2014 (ended Dec 31, 2013), up 13% year over year. For fiscal 2014, Airgas lowered its earnings outlook to $4.75–$4.80 from its previous band of $4.85–$5.00. The reduced outlook reflects choppy end-market trends, weaker-than-expected activity in January 2014 due to unfavorable weather and higher healthcare and e-Business/telesales investments and increased headwind in refrigerants.

Airgas also anticipates that it will fall short of its fiscal 2016 sales target of $6.5 billion, given the sluggish industrial growth as well as slower acquisition activity to date. The company, however, remains optimistic about achieving the lower-end of its margin goal of 15%.

Among other challenges, the global industrial gas industry continues to face helium supply constraints. During fiscal 2013, Airgas helium suppliers continued to fall short of their volume commitments and the company expects some level of supply chain disruption during fiscal 2014 as well.

In March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (:EPA) unexpectedly issued a ruling allowing for increased R22 refrigerant production in 2013 contrary to industry and company expectations of further declines. Airgas expects an estimated 17 cents per share (up from the prior expectation of 15 cents per share) year-over-year negative impact in fiscal 2014 related to R-22 pricing and volume following the EPA’s ruling.

Airgas noted that in construction, new projects have been slower to gain traction, and the extremely cold weather prevents welding activity on general daily construction projects that make up a good portion of its construction segment.

Economic indicators are also giving mixed signals. Private non-residential construction spending has declined, with the most recent reading in Nov 2013 being 7% lower than last year. Overall, the construction sector will continue to be a drag on Airgas’ results.

Airgas retains a short-term Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ”Buy” stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

Zacks “Profit from the Pros” e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today.

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978. The later formation of the Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock picking system; continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros.  In short, it’s your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros.
 
Get the full Report on LUV – FREE
Get the full Report on DAL – FREE
Get the full Report on UAL – FREE
Get the full Report on AAL – FREE
Get the full Report on ARG – FREE
 
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
 
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
http://www.zacks.com
 
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The SP 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

ATLANTA – Delta Airlines officials say more than 500 flights in Atlanta have been cancelled because of a winter storm that’s approaching the region.

Delta spokesman Morgan Durrant said Monday night that 313 mainline flights and 196 Delta connection flights at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have already been cancelled for Tuesday.

Durrant says the airline will revise the number Tuesday afternoon and will give updated cancellation numbers for Wednesday.

Delta is offering customers expecting to travel through several Southeastern cities between Tuesday and Thursday the opportunity to make free one-time changes to their itineraries, whether or not their flights have been cancelled.

The waiver applies to travellers passing through Atlanta, North and South Carolina, Huntsville, Ala. and Norfolk, Va.

(WITH VIDEO) Woman Removed From Delta Flight After Allegedly Making Sexual Advances On Passengers

Details

Published on Tuesday, 11 February 2014 09:37

This unidentified woman was removed from a Delta Airlines flight after becoming unruly when her alleged sexual advances on a male passenger were denied. Pic: YouTubeHell hath no fury like a woman scorned, but apparently it’s even worse if you deny her entry to the mile-high club.

That’s allegedly what happened Friday night on a Delta Airlines flight from Baltimore to Salt Lake City.

The unidentified woman apparently had a few drinks and allegedly made sexual advances on a passenger next to her,Coed.com reported.

When the passenger turned her down, she got angry and began making loud, expletive-laden threats. Another passenger caught some of her rant on his cell phone.

WARNING: Graphic Language

On the first video, the woman can be heard repeatedly threatening to “f***ing kill” her seat mate and warning airline staff not to touch her. She also claims someone is holding onto her.

“Hey, lady! Over there! I need help, this guy is holding me!” she can be heard saying to a fellow passenger.

The disturbance was such that the flight crew handcuffed her on board the plane and then diverted the flight to Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport so she could be handed over to airport police.

She was taken to a county medical center, airport spokesman Patrick Hogan told the Salt Lake Tribune.

WATCH: Woman Removed From Flight (Story continues below)

The FBI and TSA are now investigating and the woman may face federal charges for causing a disturbance while the plane was in flight.

After she was removed, the aircraft took flight and the other 132 passengers arrived in Salt Lake City 90 minutes late, the New York Daily News reported.

– The Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/10/woman-delta-flight-sex-advances-video_n_4761793.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

• Prev
• Next

ATLANTA (AP) — Delta Airlines officials say more than 500 flights in Atlanta have been canceled because of a winter storm that’s approaching the region.

Delta spokesman Morgan Durrant said Monday night that 313 mainline flights and 196 Delta connection flights at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have already been canceled for Tuesday.

Durrant says the airline will revise the number Tuesday afternoon and will give updated cancellation numbers for Wednesday.

Delta is offering customers expecting to travel through several Southeastern cities between Tuesday and Thursday the opportunity to make free one-time changes to their itineraries, whether or not their flights have been canceled.

The waiver applies to travelers passing through Atlanta, North and South Carolina, Huntsville, Ala. and Norfolk, Va.

• Delta Airlines
• Atlanta

• A flight from Baltimore-Washington airport made an unscheduled stop at Minneapolis-Saint Paul so that police could remove an unruly passenger
  
• The woman allegedly became drunk and made sexual advances towards a fellow passenger
• She reportedly became unruly when the man rebuffed her advances
• Fellow passengers captured the incident on video
• The woman can be heard ranting at airline staff as they handcuff and restrain her until police board
  
• She became quiet and subdued as she was led from the plane by police officers
• The plane continued on to Salt Lake City and landed an hour and a half late
• The woman may face federal charges

By
Alex Greig

PUBLISHED:

18:48 EST, 9 February 2014

|
UPDATED:

08:24 EST, 10 February 2014

A Delta Airlines flight from Baltimore-Washington International Airport bound for Salt Lake City had to be diverted Friday night after a female passenger allegedly made sexual advances towards a fellow passenger.

The woman was reportedly intoxicated and became enraged when her advances were rebuffed.

The woman had to be handcuffed by airline staff until the plane could land at Minneapolis-Saint Paul and police could remove her from the plane.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Subdued: The woman was quiet as she was led from the plan after becoming unruly mid-air

A fellow passenger recorded two videos of the incident. In the first, expletive-filled recording, the woman can repeatedly be heard saying she will ‘f***ing kill’ the seatmate who rejected her advances and warning airline staff not to touch her.

‘Hey, lady! Over there! I need help, this guy is holding me!’ she implores a fellow passenger.

The woman continues ranting as the pilot apologizes to passengers of the PA and explains that the plane will be making an unscheduled stop to remove the unruly passenger.

‘Release me!’: The woman can be seen at the back of the plane arguing with airline staff as they keep her in her seat

Write caption here

According to the Salt Lake City Tribune, Patrick Hogan, a spokesman for Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport confirmed the woman was ‘very intoxicated’ and was ‘grabbing at passengers’ on the plane.

The passenger who uploaded videos of the incident to YouTube said the woman ‘had a few drinks’ and made sexual advances to a male passenger. His refusal made her angry, she said, and the woman tried to ‘raise her fist’ to hit him.

The woman, who hasn’t been named, could face federal charges for causing a disturbance while the plane was in flight.

• 
  WARNING: GRAPHIC. Zookeepers kill ‘surplus’ baby giraffe

• 
  Porn star fears her illegal O-sized breasts could kill her

• 
  Squirrel hides nut in dog’s fur

• 
  A Fat Girl Dancing: Awesome routine launches ‘No body shame’…

• 
  Speed skater forgets she isn’t wearing any underwear!

• 
  Lingerie woman is filmed doing a ‘NekNominate’ strip in Asda

• 
  Horrific – Five people die in a fiery crash, caught on…

• 
  Six killed, at least one injured in a freeway car accident

• 
  American snowboarder Sage Kotsenburg wins first gold

• 
  The most AMAZING mother and son wedding dance

• 
  Rude awakening: Pranksters launch man 50 meters in the air

• 
  Drunk woman removed from flight after SEXUAL ADVANCES

• 
  Zookeepers kill healthy baby giraffe with a bolt gun because…

• 
  My George, you’re a big bundle of joy now! Six-month-old…

• 
  Woman jailed for trolling HERSELF: 24-year-old bombarded her…

• 
  Horror as family of four among six killed in ‘drunk driver…

• 
  Newlywed BASE jumper fell 2,000ft to her death in front of…

• 
  Catfish oversight, weather radios and a Christmas tree tax:…

• 
  Now that’s a thrilling finish: Russian speed skater risks…

• 
  iPhones loaded with Flappy Bird listed for $20,000 on eBay…

• 
  ‘Dumb Starbucks’ tests coffee giant’s nerve in LA – but its…

• 
  Woman, 19, walks into a supermarket and strips to her…

• 
  Always believing in Gold! Skater Gracie Gold beams after…

• 
  Basketball player suspended for shoving FAN he ‘heard…

KNOXVILLE (WATE) – Delta Airlines reminded customers Sunday to check their flight status often if flying through Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, or anywhere in the southeast.  
     

According to Delta’s website, the airline will give passengers a refund if their flight is canceled due to inclement weather.        

Delta also offering free change fees to travelers who change rearrange their travel plans if they’re flying to or from certain destinations. Those free change fees apply even if the flight is not canceled or delayed.

Airports include: