United Continental margins to face more challenging couple of quarters

United Continental CEO Jeff Smisek stated the carrier's profit margins face a more challenging "couple of quarters", due to the seasonally weak travel season over winter and higher fuel prices (MarketWatch, 21-Oct-2010). Similarly, CFO Zane Rowe stated higher fuel prices would make the "next couple of quarters...more challenging".

United Continental: "While we still see demand, particularly as business travelers are coming back, we are mindful that general macro economic trends remain uncertain. And fuel prices have increased considerably lately," Jeff Smisek, CEO. Source: MarketWatch, 21-Oct-2010.