Woodward (WWD) (ALL) (EOG) (ITRI) (AZO) (LCC) Upgraded

Woodward Inc (NYSE: WWD), Allstate (NYSE: ALL), EOG Resources (NYSE: EOG), Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI), AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) and US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE: LCC) upgraded by analysts.

Woodward Inc. (WWD) was upgraded by Robert W. Baird from a “Neutral” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $39.00 on the company.

Allstate (ALL) was upgraded by UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $33.00 on the company.

EOG Resources (EOG) was upgraded by Ticonderoga from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $110.00 on the company.

Itron, Inc. (ITRI) was upgraded by Robert W. Baird from an “Underperform” rating to a “Neutral” rating. They have a price target $41.00 on the company.

AutoZone, Inc. (AZO) was upgraded by Citigroup (NYSE:C) from a “Hold” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $326.00 on the company.

US Airways Group, Inc. (LCC) was upgraded by Ticonderoga from a “Neutral” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $9.00 on the company.

Airlines (LCC) (JBLU) (UAL) (GOL) (RYAAY) Traded Mixed Tuesday

Airline stocks like US Airways (NYSE:LCC), JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ:JBLU), Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes (NYSE:GOL), United Continental (NYSE:UAL) and Ryanair (NASDAQ:RYAAY) closed mixed on Tuesday, at the NYSE Airline index ended the session at $43.14.

Of the 12 airlines in the index, 7 of them closed in positive territory on Tuesday.

The top two performers were US Airways (LCC) and JetBlue Airways (JBLU). US Airways ended the day at $9.22, up $0.16, or 1.77 percent. JetBlue closed at $5.81, up $0.10, or 1.75 percent.

Next was United Continental (UAL), which ended the session at $23.88, gaining $0.36, or 1.53 percent.

The bottom airline performers were Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes (GOL) and Ryanair (RYAAY). Gol Linhas closed at $13.76, falling $0.26, or 1.85 percent. Ryanair closed at $30.01, down $0.28, or 0.92 percent.

Delta (DEL) (LCC) (UAL) (AMR) Lose Over $1 Billion in First Quarter

Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DEL), US Airways (NYSE:LCC), United Continental Holdings Inc. (NYSE:UAL) and AMR Corp. (NYSE:AMR) lose over $1 billion combined in first quarter. Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) was able to generate a small $5 million profit.

Oddly enough, shares of the companies jumped after earnings reports Tuesday, as results were expected to be even worse than that. Delta ended up losing $318 million, according to its Tuesday report. US Airways Group lost $114 in the quarter.

The vast majority of the blame for the dismal performance of the industry is the surge in the costs of jet fuel in the quarter. Even after numerous fare increases, Delta said it only covered about 70 percent increase in fuel prices.

Overall, losses in the quarter for the four companies came in a $100 million more than last year. Fuel spending soared to almost $1.9 billion, an increase of 28 percent.

The major way to deal with the challenges by the airlines is to cut back on flights and park some planes, which they are all doing.

AMR closed Tuesday at $5.74, gaining $0.17, or 3.05 percent. United Continental ended the day at $22.58, up $0.55, or 2.50 percent. US Airways closed the session at $8.80, rising $0.52, or 6.28 percent. Delta closed at $9.99, soaring $0.99, or 11 percent.

No Earnings Love for Southwest (LUV)

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) got no love today from its earnings report, as the company reported net income in the first quarter below analysts’ estimates.

Net income for Southwest Airlines dropped to $5 million, or 1 cent a share, against $11 million or 1 cent a share last year in the same quarter, a drop of 54.5 percent.

Revenue for the quarter jumpted to $3.1 billion, an 18 percent boost.

Analysts on average had been looking for a gain of 3 cents a share.

Chairman, CEO and President Gary C. Kelly, said, “While escalating jet fuel prices and inclement weather challenged our first quarter profitability, our people prevailed.”

The airline's major competitors include Alaska Air (NYSE:ALK), AMR Corporation (NYSE:AMR), Delta Air Lines(NYSE:DAL), United Continental (NYSE:UAL), US Airways (NYSE:LCC), AirTran Holdings (NYSE:AAI) and JetBlue (NASDAQ:JBLU).

Southwest Airlines was trading at $11.44, down $0.19, or 1.63 percent, as of 11:55 AM EDT

United (UAL) (DAL) (AMR) (JBLU) (LCC) Plunge on Slow Demand, High Fuel Costs

The high cost of fuel for aircraft and rising gasoline costs for vehicles has the airline industry once again in turmoil and searching for answers, as shares of airlines like United Continental (UAL), Delta Air Lines (DAL), AMR (AMR), JetBlue Airways (JBLU) and US Airways Group (LCC) are plunging.

Other factors for airlines with strong exposure to the Japanese market are also part of the problem, although there was a slowdown before that, although the earthquake has exasperated it.

Consumers and businesses start to take notice when gasoline prices begin to approach $4 a gallon, as they are now, and there is a tightening of spending in response.

Add to that an endless stream of price hikes by the airlines in response to higher costs and you have a situation which is and will continue to devastate the industry.

In March, the International Air Transport Association slashed its full-year profit outlook for the industry to $8.6 billion from $9.1 billion, and boosted its assumption that oil prices for the year will average $96 a barrel.

The lobbying group also said that for every dollar increase in the average price of a barrel of oil annually, airlines face an additional $1.6 billion in fuel costs.

It appears airlines have hit a top in successfully being able to raise prices, an ominous sign for them going forward.

US Airways was trading at $7.86, falling $0.38, or 4.61 percent, as of 2:29 PM EDT. JetBlue Airways was trading at $5.83, dropping $0.29, or 4.74 percent. AMR was at $5.7450, down $0.295, or 4.88 percent. Delta Air Lines was trading at $8.95, declining $0.45, or 4.84 percent. United Continental Holdings was at $19.51, down $1.49, or 7.10 percent.

Oil Prices to Hit (PPC) (F) (GM) (MGM) (LCC) Says Moody's

Taking note of several sectors which could be hit hard by higher oil prices, Moody's (NYSE:MCO) pointed to Ford (NYSE:F), General Motors (NYSE:GM), US Airways Group (NYSE:LCC), MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) and Pilgrim’s Pride (NYSE:PPC) as being vulnerable in their respective segments.

Concerning the auto sector, Moody's said American companies will struggle more than their Japanese and European counterparts on higher oil prices.

They noted, “The ratio of U.S. car and truck sales shifted from 46/54 in 2007 to 51/49 by 2009, but back to 48/52 in 2010 as gasoline pressures eased.”

For airlines, Moody's cited US Airways Group because as of the end of 2010 they hadn't hedged fuel.

In gaming, they said MGM Resorts International was vulnerable because of their Las Vegas exposure, which generates the bulk of its revenue.

With fuel being one of the key inputs for the meat industry, Pilgrim's Pride is considered very vulnerable there.

Ford was trading at $14.48, up $0.22, or 1.54 percent, as of 2:30 PM EDT. General Motors was at $31.74, gaining $0.30, or 0.95 percent. US Airways Group was trading up with most airlines today, standing at $8.98, rising $0.49, or 5.77 percent. MGM Resorts was at $12.67, up $0.03, or 0.24 percent. Pilgrim's Pride was at $7.26, gaining $0.26, or 3.71 percent.

Airlines Jump (DAL) (LCC) (AMR) (UAL) as Crude Drops

Shares of airlines United Continental (NYSE:UAL), US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE:LCC), AMR Corp. (NYSE:AMR) and Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL) are all moving up big today as crude oil drops on easing tensions in the Middle East.

WTI April 11 contracts fell $0.51 to $100.91 a barrel in morning trading on the Comex.

This comes on the heels of news the Libyan Prime Minister has called for a cease fire after the announcement from the UN Security Council that it has approved a no-fly zone over Libya.

Fears have temporarily been allayed on concerns oil exports would decline as events escalated.

United Continental was trading at $22.96, gaining $0.79, or 3.56 percent, as of 11:34 AM EDT. AMR Corporation was up to $6.62, up $0.27, or 4.25 percent. US Airways Group was at $9.00, rising $0.51, or 6.01 percent. Delta Air Lines Inc. was at $10.27, gaining $0.41, or 4.16 percent.

US Airways (LCC) Worst Airline for Delays

Among the long airline carriers, US Airways Group Inc. (NYSE:LCC) is ranked the worst as far as delays go, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Next in line for the dubious honor are Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL) and AirTran Airways (NYSE:AAI), which were tied for second-worst in the unwanted category.

Ranking decisions were based on how long a flight on the tarmac was delayed as measured by percentages. Parameters were for percentage of flights delayed for two hours or more.

As for on-time arrivals, US Airways came in at sixth place, with a percentage rate of 78.4 percent.

US Airways Group was trading at $9.04, gaining $0.74, or 8.92 percent, as of 12:11 PM EST.

US Airways (LCC), AMR (AMR), Delta (DAL), United Continental (UAL), JetBlue (JBLU) Remain Under Pressure on Rising Crude Prices

Shares of airlines like US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE:LCC), AMR Corp. (NYSE:AMR), Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL), United Continental Holdings (NYSE:UAL) and JetBlue Airways Corp. (NASDAQ:JBLU) continue to be under pressure as crude prices are at their highest levels in over two years.

Unrest and the resultant uncertainty in the Middle East is driving oil prices up.

The AMEX AIRLINE INDEX (AMEX:XAL) closed the week down as well, finishing at $42.29, down $0.57, or 1.33 percent.

A boost in fuel prices will pressure margins and earnings for airlines, as they still struggle for consolidation and balance after the U.S. recession through 2009 - 10, and following the previous surge in oil prices above $100 a barrel in mid-2008.

US Airways closed Friday at $8.28, down $0.08, or 0.96 percent. AMR closed at $6.14, falling 0.25, or 3.91 percent. JetBlue ended the session at $5.545, dropping $0.08, or 1.42 percent. Delta closed the day at $9.91, down $0.35, or 3.41 percent. United Continental closed at $22.26, falling $0.77, or 3.34 percent.

US Airways (LCC), Delta Air Lines (DAL), United Continental (UAL) Plummet on Rising Fuel Cost Concerns

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), United Continental (NYSE:UAL) and US Airways Group (NYSE:LCC) all plunged Tuesday as the airlines aren't able to pass on rising costs to consumers, with fuel costs continuing to rise.

With Middle East tensions escalating, it's unknown how deeply the events could ultimately impact the price of fuel and the airlines, who will be stuck trying to figure out how high they can raise price in an atmosphere of austerity.

WTI crude futures closed in on $100 a barrel level for April 11 contracts, reaching as high as $99.77 on the Comex. The news is devastating for airlines, who are still haven't recovered from the impact of the recession.

Already in 2011 jet fuel prices have climbed 20 percent, and five rate increases have already been implemented by the airlines, creating uncertainty as to how much further they can go.

That will ultimately reflect in margins and earnings, as they'll have to slowly feel their way through the process in order not to alienate customers.

Delta closed Tuesday at $10.61, falling $0.63, or 5.60 percent. United Continental closed at $23.02, dropping $1.02, or 4.24 percent. US Airways plunged to $7.95, losing $0.66, or 7.67 percent.

U.S. Airways (NYSE:LCC), United Continental (NYSE:UAL) Revenue Accelerating

Commenting on earnings and revenue of U.S. Airways (NYSE:LCC) and United Continental (NYSE:UAL), Barclays said they see them continuing to grow alongside fuel.

Barclays says, "Yesterday we got solid earnings and strong revenue data points from U.S. Airways (NYSE: LCC) and United Continental (NYSE: UAL) suggesting the revenue environment is accelerating alongside fuel. Capacity outlooks were unchanged, but the market was prepared for that outcome after last week. Cost guidance from both was roughly in line, but revenue data points were encouraging. LCC's revenue guidance was very much in line with our expectations, but UAL's January RASM guidance was by far the biggest upside surprise thus far during earnings season. Our estimates for LCC rise slightly, but our UAL forecast rises substantially on much better than expected revenue trends in 1Q. Given the estimate changes we expect from others for UAL, we expect the shares to rise further relative to the sector.

"Adds up to a powerful outlook; stocks should perform better. Fundamentally, we believe earnings season provided support for our robust earnings and cash flow outlook across the sector in 2011. Rising fuel is a risk, but investors should be mindful of the historical correlation between unit revenue and fuel. Demand acceleration along with rapid changes in the fare structure in recent weeks should allow for significant earnings gains despite rising fuel. As the market's comfort with the sector grows, we believe the shares will trade much better."

United Continental Holdings (UAL) closed Thursday at $26.96, gaining $1.17, or 4.54 percent. US Airways ended the trading session at $11.05, up $0.25, or 2.31 percent.