SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

Report of Foreign Issuer

 

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Report on Form 6-K dated For the month of November, 2013

 

Copa Holdings, S.A.

(Translation of Registrant's Name Into English)

 

Boulevard Costa del Este, Avenida Principal y Avenida de la Rotonda

Urbanización Costa del Este

Complejo Business Park, Torre Norte

ParqueLefevre

Panama City, Panama

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)

 

Form 20-F x     Form 40-F   ¨   

 

(Indicate by check whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)

 

Yes    ¨        No    x  

 

(If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b);82-             )

 

Enclosure: 3Q13 Earnings Release

  

 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

 

  Copa Holdings, S.A.
(Registrant)
 Date: 11/12/2013  
  By:  /s/ José Montero
   

Name: José Montero

Title: CFO

 

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Copa Holdings Reports Net Income of US$126.0 Million and EPS of US$2.84 for the Third Quarter of 2013

Excluding special items, adjusted net income came in at $116.2 million, or EPS of $2.62 per share

 

Panama City, Panama --- November 12, 2013. Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE: CPA), today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2013 (3Q13). The terms “Copa Holdings" or "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 financial tables section of this earnings release. Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons with prior periods refer to the third quarter of 2012 (3Q12).

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

§Copa Holdings reported net income of US$126.0 million for 3Q13, or diluted earnings per share (EPS) of US$2.84. Excluding special items, Copa Holdings would have reported an adjusted net income of $116.2 million, or $2.62 per share, a 19.0% increase over adjusted net income of US$97.6 million and US$2.20 per share for 3Q12.

 

§Operating income for 3Q13 came in at US$147.5 million, a 29.3% increase over operating income of US$114.1 million in 3Q12. Operating margin for the period came in at 21.8% or 2.5 percentage points over 3Q12, mostly as a result of higher unit revenues.

 

§Total revenues increased 14.7% to US$677.3 million. Yield per passenger mile decreased 0.1% to 17.2 cents and operating revenue per available seat mile (RASM) increased 2.8% to 13.9 cents. However, adjusting for a 7.5% increase in average length of haul, yields increased 3.6% and RASM increased 6.6%.

 

§For 3Q13, passenger traffic (RPMs) grew 15.5% on an 11.6% capacity expansion. Consolidated load factor came in at 78.1%, or 2.6 percentage points above 3Q12.

 

§Operating cost per available seat mile (CASM) improved 0.3% to 10.9 cents. CASM, excluding fuel, increased 2.7% to 6.8 cents.

 

§Cash, short term and long term investments ended 3Q13 at US$1.0 billion, representing 40.7% of the last twelve months’ revenues.

 

§During the third quarter, Copa Airlines took delivery of three Boeing 737-800 aircraft. As a result, Copa Holdings ended the quarter with a consolidated fleet of 89 aircraft. Additionally, during the months of September and October, Copa Airlines completed the extension of four 737-700 aircraft leases that were expiring in 2014.

 

§For 3Q13, Copa Holdings reported consolidated on-time performance of 87.3% and a flight-completion factor of 99.7%, maintaining its position among the best in the industry.

 

 
 

 

 

Consolidated Financial &
Operating Highlights
  3Q13   3Q12   % Change   2Q13   % Change 
Revenue Passengers Carried ('000)   2,007    1,869    7.4%   1,861    7.8%
RPMs (mm)   3,803    3,294    15.5%   3,475    9.4%
ASMs (mm)   4,872    4,367    11.6%   4,618    5.5%
Load Factor   78.1%   75.4%   2.6 p.p.    75.3%   2.8 p.p. 
Yield   17.2    17.3    -0.1%   16.4    5.4%
PRASM (US$ Cents)   13.5    13.0    3.4%   12.3    9.3%
RASM (US$ Cents)   13.9    13.5    2.8%   12.8    8.4%
CASM (US$ Cents)   10.9    10.9    -0.3%   10.7    1.6%
CASM Excl. Fuel (US$ Cents)   6.8    6.6    2.7%   6.7    1.5%
Breakeven Load Factor (1)   61.4%   59.8%   1.6 p.p.    61.6%   -0.2 p.p. 
Fuel Gallons Consumed (Millions)   63.6    57.7    10.3%   60.0    6.0%
Avg. Price Per Fuel Gallon (US$ Dollars)   3.12    3.24    -3.8%   3.08    1.2%
Average Length of Haul (Miles)   1,895    1,763    7.5%   1,868    1.5%
Average Stage Length (Miles)   1,160    1,082    7.2%   1,126    3.0%
Departures   30,126    29,365    2.6%   29,357    2.6%
Block Hours   89,623    82,103    9.2%   84,985    5.5%
Average Aircraft Utilization (Hours)   11.2    11.2    0.1%   10.9    2.7%
Operating Revenues (US$ mm)   677.3    590.4    14.7%   592.0    14.4%
Operating Income (US$ mm)   147.5    114.1    29.3%   97.7    51.0%
Operating Margin   21.8%   19.3%   2.5 p.p.    16.5%   5.3 p.p. 
Net Income (US$ mm)   126.0    111.9    12.6%   74.4    69.3%
Adjusted Net Income (US$ mm) (1)   116.2    97.6    19.0%   85.0    36.7%
EPS - Basic and Diluted (US$)   2.84    2.52    12.6%   1.68    69.2%
Adjusted EPS - Basic and Diluted (US$) (1)   2.62    2.20    19.0%   1.92    36.6%
# of Shares - Basic and Diluted ('000)   44,380    44,407    -0.1%   44,387    0.0%

 

 

(1)Breakeven Load Factor, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS for 3Q13, 3Q12, and 2Q13 exclude non-cash charges/gains associated with the mark-to-market of fuel hedges.

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

 

2
 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S COMMENTS ON 3Q13 RESULTS

 

Copa Holdings third quarter results continued to reflect solid demand trends as well as lower unit costs due to lower fuel prices for the quarter. For 3Q13, the Company reported operating income of US$147.5 million, a 29.3% increase over 3Q12. As a result, operating margin for the quarter stood at 21.8%, an increase of 2.5 percentage points over 3Q12.

 

Consolidated operating revenues increased 14.7% to US$677.3 million on an 11.6% capacity expansion for the period. Load factor came in at 78.1%, or 2.6 percentage points above 3Q12, while yields came in at 17.2 cents, or 0.1% lower than 3Q12. As a result, passenger revenues per ASM (PRASM) increased 3.4%, from 13.0 cents in 3Q12 to 13.5 cents in 3Q13. Furthermore, adjusting for a 7.5% increase in length of haul, PRASM increased 7.2% over 3Q12.

 

Consolidated operating expenses for 3Q13 increased 11.2% to US$529.8 million, and consolidated operating expenses per ASM (CASM) decreased 0.3% to 10.9 cents. However, excluding fuel costs, unit costs increased 2.7% to 6.8 cents, mainly as a result of higher aircraft rental expense and an increase in sales related costs.

 

Aircraft fuel expense increased 6.1% or US$11.3 million compared to 3Q12, as a result of increased capacity. The Company’s effective jet fuel price, which includes realized hedge gains of US$6.8 million and US$2.0 million for 3Q13 and 3Q12, respectively, decreased 3.8%, from an average of US$3.24 in 3Q12 to US$3.12 in 3Q13.  At the end of 3Q13, the Company had fuel hedges in place representing 38% of its consolidated volume. Continuing with the execution of its fuel hedge policy, the Company currently has hedged approximately 37% in 4Q13. For 2014 and 2015, the Company had hedged approximately 20% and 15%, respectively, of its forecasted fuel consumption.

 

The Company recorded a net non-operating income of US$6.3 million for 3Q13 compared to a net non-operating income of US$8.9 million for 3Q12. Non-operating income (expense) included a fuel hedge mark-to-market gain of US$9.8 million, compared to a fuel hedge mark-to-market gain of US$14.3 million for 3Q12.

 

Copa Holdings closed the quarter with US$1.0 billion in cash, short term and long term investments, representing 40.7% of last twelve months´ revenues. Of such cash, 38.4% or $391.8 million was subject to exchange controls in Venezuela and was pending repatriation. Total debt at the end of 3Q13 amounted to US$1.1 billion, all of which is related to aircraft and equipment financing.

 

Copa Holdings’ strong third quarter results are the product of a solid and well executed business model which leverages the Company’s unique competitive advantages, such as geographic position and infrastructure, among others, to operate the best and most convenient network for intra-Latin America travel from the Hub of the Americas in Panama. Going forward, the Company will continue to strengthen its long-term competitive position by taking advantage of new growth opportunities and implementing initiatives to further strengthen its network and product.

 

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OUTLOOK FOR 2013

 

For 2013, the Company reaffirms its guidance. Consolidated capacity is still expected to grow in the range of 14%, as a result of the full year effect of capacity added in 2012 and the introduction of seven new 737-800 aircraft during 2013.  Our guidance in terms of load factor, RASM and CASM ex-fuel levels remain unchanged. Factored into the current guidance is an estimated effective price per gallon of jet fuel, including the effect of current hedge contracts and into-plane costs, of US$3.20 per gallon. As a result, we are narrowing our full year operating margin guidance to +/-20%.

 

Financial Outlook  2013 - Full Year
Revised
   2013 - Full Year
Prior
   2012
Actual
 
Capacity - YOY ASM Growth   +/-14%   +/-14%   24.1%
Average Load Factor   +/-76%   +/-76%   75.4%
RASM (cents)   +/-13.6    +/-13.6    13.6 
CASM Ex-fuel (cents)   +/-6.7    +/-6.7    6.8 
Operating Margin   +/-20%   19-21%   17.9%

 

OUTLOOK FOR 2014 – PRELIMINARY

 

For 2014, preliminary guidance is for consolidated capacity growth in the range of 10% as a result of the full year effect of capacity added in 2013 and the introduction of 8 Boeing 737-800 aircraft during the year. 

 

Load factors are expected to come in above 2013 levels as a result of a healthy demand environment and lower year over year capacity growth. As a result, unit revenues (RASM) are expected to come in at 13.7 cents, slightly higher than 2013 levels. However, at 6.8 cents, CASM ex-fuel is also expected to come in slightly higher year over year. The estimated effective price per gallon of jet fuel, including the effect of current hedge contracts and into-plane costs for 2014 is US$3.15 per gallon. As a result, the Company is projecting an operating margin in the range of 19% to 21%. 

 

Financial Outlook  2014 – Full Year 
Capacity - YOY ASM Growth   +/-10%
Average Load Factor   +/-77%
RASM (cents)   +/-13.7 
CASM Ex-fuel (cents)   +/-6.8
Operating Margin   19-21%

 

4
 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

 

Operating revenue

 

Copa Holdings’ operating revenue for 3Q13 totaled US$677.3 million, a 14.7% increase over operating revenue of US$590.4 million in 3Q12. This increase was due to a 15.4% or US$87.4 million increase in passenger revenue.

 

Passenger revenue. For 3Q13 passenger revenue totaled US$656.0 million, a 15.4% increase over passenger revenue of US$568.6 million in 3Q12. A 2.6 percentage point increase in load factor, slightly offset by a 0.1% drop in passenger yield, resulted in a 3.4% increase in passenger revenue per ASM (PRASM).

 

Cargo, mail and other. Cargo, mail and other revenue totaled US$21.3 million in 3Q13, a 2.7% decrease over cargo, mail and other revenue of US$21.9 million in 3Q12.

  

Operating expenses

For 3Q13, consolidated operating expenses increased 11.2% to US$529.8 million, representing operating cost per available seat mile (CASM) of 10.9 cents. CASM, excluding fuel costs, increased 2.7% to 6.8 cents. An overview of the major variances on a consolidated basis follows:

  

Aircraft fuel. For 3Q13, aircraft fuel totaled US$198.2 million, an US$11.3 million or 6.1% increase over aircraft fuel of US$186.8 million in 3Q12. This increase was primarily a result of a 10.3% increase in gallons consumed, offset by a 3.8% decrease in the average price per gallon of jet fuel (all-in), which averaged U.S$3.12 in 3Q13 as compared to US$3.24 in 3Q12. The all-in average price per gallon of jet fuel for 3Q13 includes a $6.4 million fuel hedge gain, compared to a US$2.0 million gain in 3Q12. Excluding the effect of fuel hedge gains for both periods, fuel prices decreased 1.6%, from US$3.28 per gallon in 3Q12 to US$3.22 in 3Q13.

 

Salaries and benefits. For 3Q13, salaries and benefits totaled US$69.9 million, an 11.1% increase over salaries and benefits of US$63.0 million in 3Q12. The main driver was an increase in operating headcount to support additional capacity.

 

Passenger servicing. For 3Q13, passenger servicing totaled US$64.9 million, a 13.9% increase over passenger servicing of US$57.0 million in 3Q12. This increase resulted mainly from growth in our onboard passengers, as well as a higher effective rates related to airport services.

 

Commissions. For 3Q13, commissions totaled US$27.7 million, a 17.9% increase over commissions of US$23.5 million in 3Q12. This increase was primarily a result a higher revenue base and a higher proportion of credit card sales.

 

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Reservations and sales. Reservations and sales totaled US$27.6 million, a 24.2% increase over reservation and sales of US$22.2 million in 3Q12. This increase was primarily a result of an increase in passenger revenue and higher sales related taxes due to the revenue mix.

 

Maintenance, material and repairs. For 3Q13, maintenance, material and repairs totaled US$25.0 million, a 7.1% increase over maintenance, material and repairs of US$23.4 million in 3Q12. This increase was primarily a result of our growth in operations.

 

Depreciation. Depreciation totaled US$26.6 million in 3Q13, a 15.4% increase over depreciation of US$23.0 million in 3Q12. This increase was primarily driven by additional projects and aircraft components.

 

Flight operations, aircraft rentals, landing fees and other rentals. Combined, flight operations, aircraft rentals, landing fees and other rentals increased 15.7% from US$57.9 million in 3Q12 to US$67.0 million in 3Q13, primarily as a result of an increase in departures and additional aircraft rentals.

 

Other. Other expenses totaled US$22.9 million, an increase of US$3.3 million over 3Q12 mainly as a result of higher advertising expenses.

 

Non-operating income (expense)

 

Consolidated non-operating income (expense) totaled a net income of US$6.3 million in 3Q13, compared to a net income of US$8.9 million in 3Q12.

 

Interest expense. Interest expense totaled US$7.5 million in 3Q13, an 7.5% decline from interest expense of US$8.1 million in 3Q12, as a result of lower interest rates on our variable rate debt and a lower outstanding debt balance.

 

Interest income. Interest income totaled US$3.1 million, a 4.2% decrease over interest income of US$3.2 million in 3Q12, mainly as a result of lower rates on investments partly offset by a higher average cash and investments balance.

 

Other, net. Other, net totaled a net gain of US$10.7 million in 3Q13 compared to a net gain of US$13.8 million in 3Q12. Other, net for 3Q13, includes a fuel hedge mark-to-market gain of US$9.8 million, compared to a fuel hedge mark-to-market gain of US$14.3 million for 3Q12.

 

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 66 destinations in 29 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean with one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the industry, consisting of 90 aircraft: 64 Boeing 737NG aircraft and 26 EMBRAER-190s. For more information visit: www.copaair.com.

 

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   % 
   3Q13   3Q12   Change   2Q13   Change 
Operating Revenues                         
Passenger Revenue   655,991    568,564    15.4%   568,960    15.3%
Cargo, mail and other   21,288    21,884    -2.7%   23,038    -7.6%
Total Operating Revenue   677,279    590,448    14.7%   591,998    14.4%
                          
Operating Expenses                         
Aircraft fuel   198,163    186,844    6.1%   184,767    7.3%
Salaries and benefits   69,941    62,964    11.1%   66,105    5.8%
Passenger servicing   64,913    56,973    13.9%   60,389    7.5%
Commissions   27,717    23,501    17.9%   24,279    14.2%
Reservations and sales   27,588    22,203    24.2%   24,763    11.4%
Maintenance, material and repairs   25,035    23,370    7.1%   22,807    9.8%
Depreciation   26,576    23,031    15.4%   26,866    -1.1%
Flight operations   30,829    27,217    13.3%   30,028    2.7%
Aircraft rentals   23,540    18,504    27.2%   22,124    6.4%
Landing fees and other rentals   12,607    12,190    3.4%   12,789    -1.4%
Other   22,878    19,561    17.0%   19,393    18.0%
Total Operating Expense   529,787    476,359    11.2%   494,309    7.2%
                          
Operating Income   147,492    114,089    29.3%   97,689    51.0%
                          
Non-operating Income (Expense):                         
Interest expense   (7,513)   (8,124)   -7.5%   (7,560)   -0.6%
Interest income   3,127    3,235    -3.3%   2,841    10.1%
Other, net   10,700    13,750    -22.2%   (10,616)   -200.8%
Total Non-Operating Income/(Expense)   6,314    8,861    n/a    (15,336)   -141.2%
                          
Income before Income Taxes   153,807    122,951    25.1%   82,354    86.8%
                          
Provision for Income Taxes   27,798    11,033    152.0%   7,912    251.3%
                          
Net Income   126,008    111,917    12.6%   74,441    69.3%
                          
EPS - Basic and Diluted   2.84    2.52    12.7%   1.68    69.3%
Shares - Basic and Diluted   44,379,507    44,406,679    -0.1%   44,387,279    0.0%

  

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Copa Holdings, S.A.          
Balance Sheet - IFRS          
(US$ Thousands)          

  September 30,   December 31, 
   2013   2012 
   (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
ASSETS          
Current Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $475,181   $76,094 
Short-term investments   499,047    575,009 
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments   974,228    651,103 
           
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts   173,175    135,207 
Accounts receivable from related parties   2,109    1,129 
Expendable parts and supplies, net of allowance for obsolescence   56,314    50,603 
Prepaid expenses   62,163    63,120 
Other current assets   19,073    16,328 
Total Current Assets   1,287,062    917,490 
           
Long-term investments   46,590    69,445 
           
Property and Equipment:          
Owned property and equipment:          
Flight equipment   2,462,278    2,405,346 
Other equipment   71,570    66,330 
    2,533,848    2,471,676 
Less: Accumulated depreciation   (505,147)   (432,589)
    2,028,701    2,039,087 
Purchase deposits for flight equipment   302,371    245,544 
Total Property and Equipment   2,331,072    2,284,631 
           
Other Assets:          
Net pension asset   10,826    10,009 
Goodwill   25,466    27,575 
Intangible asset   57,767    59,382 
Other assets   110,889    110,968 
Total Other Assets   204,948    207,934 
Total Assets  $3,869,672   $3,479,500 
           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY          
Current Liabilities:          
Current maturities of long-term debt  $140,114   $136,268 
Accounts payable   101,128    104,975 
Accounts payable to related parties   15,380    20,255 
Air traffic liability   549,721    382,807 
Taxes and interest payable   121,647    85,436 
Accrued expenses payable   65,993    48,047 
Other current liabilities   7,835    10,902 
Total Current Liabilities   1,001,818    788,690 
           
Non-Current Liabilities:          
Long-term debt   960,462    1,069,836 
Post employment benefits liability   6,309    6,340 
Other long-term liabilities   49,912    43,726 
Deferred tax liabilities   32,274    34,364 
Total Non-Current Liabilities   1,048,957    1,154,266 
           
Total Liabilities   2,050,775    1,942,956 
           
Shareholders' Equity:          
Class A - 33,408,055 shares issued and outstanding   22,626    22,591 
Class B - 10,938,125 shares issued and outstanding   7,466    7,466 
Additional paid in capital   45,594    40,660 
Retained earnings   1,739,740    1,458,258 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   3,470    7,569 
Total Shareholders' Equity   1,818,896    1,536,544 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity  $3,869,672   $3,479,500 

  

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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:

 

Reconciliation of Net Income            
Excluding Special Items  3Q13   3Q12   2Q13 
                
Net income as Reported  $126,008   $111,917   $74,441 
                
Special Items (adjustments):               
     Unrealized (gain) loss on fuel hedging instruments   (9,820)   (14,277)   10,582 
Adjusted Net Income  $116,188   $97,640   $85,023 
                
Shares used for Computation (in thousands)               
     Basic and Diluted   44,380    44,407    44,387 
                
Adjusted earnings per share - Basic and Diluted   2.62    2.20    1.92 
                

 

Reconciliation Operating Costs per ASM            
Excluding Fuel and Special Items  3Q13   3Q12   2Q13 
             
Operating Costs per ASM as Reported   10.9    10.9    10.7 
Aircraft fuel per ASM   (4.1)   (4.3)   (4.0)
Operating Costs per ASM excluding fuel   6.8    6.6    6.7 

 

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