US Airways, United prove the best buys in 1H2010; Latin carrier shares lose ground after strong 2009

US airline investors seemed indifferent to whether merger activity was under way or not in the first half of this year. After seemingly being spurned by United as a partner, US Airways stocks have gained 80.5% in the first six months of 2010. Yet at the same time, as United seeks authorisation to combine with Continental Airlines, both of those carriers' shares have also performed strongly, with United up a stirring 60.6% and Continental up 21.3%.