WestJet Q4 Profit Rises; Announces Dividend Hike - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - WestJet Airlines Ltd. (WJA.TO) reported that its fourth-quarter net earnings increased to C$67.8 million or C$0.52 per share, from C$60.9 million or C$0.46 per share, prior year.

On average, 12 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report profit per share of C$0.52 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Total revenues were C$926.4 million, compared to C$860.6 million, a year ago. Analysts expected revenue of C$931.14 million for the quarter. Traffic increased 6.1% for the quarter, which capacity was up 8.3%. Load factor declined 1.6 percentage points from prior year.

WestJet also declared a 20 percent increase to its quarterly dividend to C$0.12 per common voting share and variable voting share.

The company said it expects continued strong traffic and revenue growth in the first quarter of 2014, and to achieve continued earnings growth for the full-year 2014.