5 Airline Stocks Taking Flight

You may not think that airlines are doing well right now, considering the recent bankruptcy of American Airlines (PINK:AAMRQ) and the rising cost of jet fuel. However a small group of carriers � mostly regional shuttles or emerging market plays but a few of the major U.S. airlines, too �� are flying high right now.

I watch more than 5,000 publicly traded companies with my Portfolio Grader tool, ranking companies by a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. And this week, I have five airline stocks for you to buy.

Here they are, in alphabetical order. Each one of these stocks gets an �A� or �B� according to my research, meaning it is a �strong buy� or �buy.�

China Southern Airlines (NYSE:ZNH) provides passenger transportation, freight business, mail transportation and other services. In the last 12 months, ZNH stock has gained 5%. ZNH stock gets an �A� grade for sales growth, an �A� grade for operating margin growth, an �A� grade for cash flow, and an �A� grade for return on equity. For more information, view my complete analysis of ZNH stock.

Delta (NYSE:DAL) is one of the major American airlines. DAL stock has also posted a gain of 5% since last April. Delta stock gets a �B� grade for operating margin growth, an �A� grade for earnings growth, an �A� grade for earnings momentum, a �B� grade for its ability to exceed the consensus earnings estimate on Wall Street, and an �A� grade for cash flow. For more information, view my complete analysis of DAL stock.

LAN (NYSE:LFL) is a Chilean airline that has posted a gain of 25% since the start of 2012. LFL stock gets an �A� grade for sales growth, an �A� grade for cash flow, and an �A� grade for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of LFL stock.

Ryanair (NASDAQ:RYAAY) operates a low-fares, scheduled-passenger airline in the U.K. and Central Europe. In the last three months, Ryanair stock has jumped 33%. RYAAY stock gets a �B� grade for operating margin growth, a �B� grade for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past months, a �B� grade for cash flow, and a �B: grade for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of RYAAY stock.

United Continental (NYSE:UAL) is another major American airline that has posted a gain of 17% in the last 12 months. United Continental stock gets an �A� grade for operating margin growth, an �A� grade for its ability to exceed the consensus earnings estimate on Wall Street, an �A� grade for cash flow, and an �A� grade for return on equity. For more information, view my complete analysis of UAL stock.

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