Latest news with #RobertKatz
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Vail Resorts Inc (MTN) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Resilient Growth Amid Skier Visit Decline
Resort Net Revenue: Increased 3% year-to-date, driven by a 4% increase in season pass revenue. Resort Reported EBITDA: Achieved 3% growth year-to-date despite a 3% decline in total skier visits. Net Income Guidance: Expected to be between $264 million and $298 million for fiscal 2025. Resort Reported EBITDA Guidance: Expected to be between $831 million and $851 million for fiscal 2025. Cash and Liquidity: Total liquidity of approximately $1.6 billion as of April 30, 2025. Net Debt: 2.6 times trailing 12 months total reported EBITDA as of April 30, 2025. Dividend: Quarterly cash dividend of $2.22 per share, payable on July 9, 2025. Share Repurchases: Approximately 0.2 million shares repurchased at an average price of $161 per share, totaling $30 million. Capital Investments: Expected to invest approximately $249 million to $254 million in calendar year 2025. Pass Product Sales: Decreased approximately 1% in units and increased approximately 2% in sales dollars for the upcoming North American ski season. Australia Pass Sales: Increased approximately 20% in units and 8% in sales dollars. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Sign with MTN. Release Date: June 05, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Vail Resorts Inc (NYSE:MTN) achieved a 3% growth in resort reported EBITDA year-to-date, despite a 3% decline in total skier visits across North American resorts. The company reported a 4% increase in season pass revenue, demonstrating the strength of its advanced commitment strategy. Vail Resorts Inc (NYSE:MTN) is on track to achieve $100 million in annualized cost efficiencies by the end of fiscal 2026 through its resource efficiency transformation plan. The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $2.22 per share, reflecting strong cash flow generation. Vail Resorts Inc (NYSE:MTN) has a strong liquidity position with approximately $1.6 billion in total liquidity as of April 30, 2025. Visitation from uncommitted lift ticket guests was below expectations, impacting overall revenue. The company experienced a decline in visitation from selling fewer pass units this season. Vail Resorts Inc (NYSE:MTN) updated its fiscal 2025 guidance due to lower than expected lift ticket visitation and one-time costs related to the CEO transition. The company faces challenges in maintaining consistent guest and employee experiences across all resorts. Weather volatility remains a significant risk to the business, impacting visitation and revenue. Q: Rob, welcome back. Could you discuss your priorities for customer experience and revenue growth? A: Robert Katz, Executive Chairman of the Board: On guest experience, we are building on progress and investments already made, ensuring consistent delivery across all resorts. For marketing, we aim to update our strategies to connect more effectively with guests, which is crucial for returning to revenue growth. Q: How do you view the advanced commitment strategy and its impact on pricing and sales mix? A: Robert Katz, Executive Chairman of the Board: Weather volatility makes advanced commitment crucial. We are exploring product portfolio adjustments to fill gaps and drive lift ticket sales, especially during off-peak periods, without undermining the value of season passes. Q: Can you discuss the decline in lift ticket sales and whether it indicates a need for strategic changes? A: Robert Katz, Executive Chairman of the Board: We aim to convert lift ticket buyers to pass products. While some decline is due to external factors, we believe operational and marketing adjustments can address this trend without altering our core strategy. Q: How is Vail Resorts addressing labor challenges, especially with cost of living increases? A: Robert Katz, Executive Chairman of the Board: Talent is central to our operations. We focus on delivering a great employee experience, which in turn enhances guest experience. This includes working through union processes and ensuring competitive compensation. Q: What is your approach to the European market, and how does it differ from North America? A: Robert Katz, Executive Chairman of the Board: Our strategy in Europe will differ from North America due to unique market dynamics. We see potential for advanced commitment products in Europe, but any approach will be tailored to local conditions and opportunities. Q: How do you view the competitive landscape with other multi-mountain pass players? A: Robert Katz, Executive Chairman of the Board: The presence of competitors like the Icon Pass has shifted consumer mindset towards passes. We welcome competition and believe our pass offering is strong. We will continue to innovate and improve our marketing efforts. Q: What are your thoughts on the current dividend policy and potential changes? A: Robert Katz, Executive Chairman of the Board: We are comfortable with the current dividend, prioritizing investments in employees, resorts, and acquisitions. Any increase would depend on a significant rise in free cash flow. Q: How is Vail Resorts managing weather-related challenges beyond pre-sold passes? A: Robert Katz, Executive Chairman of the Board: Our advanced commitment strategy is key. We also focus on enhancing resort communities to attract guests even in less favorable weather conditions, ensuring a comprehensive experience. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kite reportedly makes contact with United flight attempting to land at Reagan National Airport
A United Airlines plane reportedly made contact with a kite while it was attempting to land at Reagan National Airport (DCA) on Saturday afternoon, the airline confirmed in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We are aware of reports that a kite struck UA flight 654 from Houston to Reagan Airport in Washington D.C.," the statement read. "The aircraft landed safely, customers deplaned normally and upon inspection there was no damage to the aircraft." The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) also confirmed the incident to Fox News Digital and shared details of what transpired. Delta Plane, Air Force Jet Nearly Crash In 'Loss Of Separation' During Arlington National Cemetery Flyover "Police officers responded to reports of kite-flying at Gravely Point yesterday, an activity which is not allowed in that area due to the danger to low-flying aircraft," the statement read. Read On The Fox News App Gravelly Point is a park in Arlington, Virginia, located north of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, along the George Washington Parkway, and across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. It is only a "few hundred feet away" from the runway at DCA, according to the park's website. The agency said officers warned some individuals about flying kites and "briefly confiscated a kite." "That kite was returned to its owner shortly later and no charges were filed," the agency said. Video Shows Italian Fighter Jets Escorting American Airlines Flight To Rome Amid 'Security Concern' The MWAA added that they could not confirm whether a kite hit the plane. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told Fox News Digital that "they have not been made aware of any such incident." While it has not yet been determined if the kite actually hit the plane, Captain Robert Katz, a veteran commercial pilot and flight instructor for 43 years, told WUSA9 that he doesn't believe the kite made contact with the plane on Saturday afternoon. "If the kite had actually made contact with the airplane, we would know it," Captain Katz told the outlet. "The kite would have been destroyed and possibly the airplane as well, although not likely." Katz also said that he believes whoever was flying the kite had been intentionally reckless. "That to me is incredibly irresponsible, and it's going to be a real stretch for someone to claim they don't know," Katz explained. United Airlines Flight Forced To Make Emergency Landing At Newark Katz added that in his 43-year-lomg career, he had never heard of a kite hitting a plane before. He did say that commercial flight interference from the ground happens frequently, but mostly from people shining lasers at planes. This latest incident comes a day after a Delta Air Lines plane nearly crashed midair with a T-38 Air Force jet near DCA. Delta Air Lines Flight 2983, an Airbus A319 headed to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) when four U.S. Air Force T-38 Talons were inbound to Arlington National Cemetery for a flyover on March 28, according to the FAA and U.S. Air Force. The FAA said the Delta plane received an "onboard alert" that another aircraft was nearby, and air traffic controllers issued corrective instructions to both aircraft. The NTSB said it was aware of "a loss of separation" between Delta flight 2983 and other aircraft, shortly after takeoff from DCA. "We are currently collecting information, but have not yet launched an investigation," an NTSB spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital. Both incidents come months after the deadly Jan. 29 collision when an Army helicopter and an American Airlines plane collided near Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, D.C. All 67 people were killed, which included 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the American Airlines flight and three soldiers aboard the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch contributed to this report. Original article source: Kite reportedly makes contact with United flight attempting to land at Reagan National Airport
Fox News
30-03-2025
- General
- Fox News
Kite reportedly makes contact with United flight attempting to land at Reagan National Airport
A United Airlines plane reportedly made contact with a kite while it was attempting to land at Reagan National Airport (DCA) on Saturday afternoon, the airline confirmed in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We are aware of reports that a kite struck UA flight 654 from Houston to Regan Airport in Washington D.C.," the statement read. "The aircraft landed safely, customers deplaned normally and upon inspection there was no damage to the aircraft." The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) also confirmed the incident to Fox News Digital and shared details of what transpired. "Police officers responded to reports of kite-flying at Gravely Point yesterday, an activity which is not allowed in that area due to the danger to low-flying aircraft," the statement read. Gravelly Point is a park in Arlington, Virginia, located north of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, along the George Washington Parkway, and across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. It is only a "few hundred feet away" from the runway at DCA, according to the park's website. The agency said officers warned some individuals about flying kites and "briefly confiscated a kite." "That kite was returned to its owner shortly later and no charges were filed," the agency said. The MWAA added that they could not confirm whether a kite hit the plane. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told Fox News Digital that "they have not been made aware of any such incident." While it has not yet been determined if the kite actually hit the plane, Captain Robert Katz, a veteran commercial pilot and flight instructor for 43 years, told WUSA9 that he doesn't believe the kite made contact with the plane on Saturday afternoon. "If the kite had actually made contact with the airplane, we would know it," Captain Katz told the outlet. "The kite would have been destroyed and possibly the airplane as well, although not likely." Katz also said that he believes whoever was flying the kite had been intentionally reckless. "That to me is incredibly irresponsible, and it's going to be a real stretch for someone to claim they don't know," Katz explained. Katz added that in his 43-year-lomg career, he had never heard of a kite hitting a plane before. He did say that commercial flight interference from the ground happens frequently, but mostly from people shining lasers at planes. This latest incident comes a day after a Delta Air Lines plane nearly crashed midair with a T-38 Air Force jet near DCA. Delta Air Lines Flight 2983, an Airbus A319 headed to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) when four U.S. Air Force T-38 Talons were inbound to Arlington National Cemetery for a flyover on March 28, according to the FAA and U.S. Air Force. The FAA said the Delta plane received an "onboard alert" that another aircraft was nearby, and air traffic controllers issued corrective instructions to both aircraft. The NTSB said it was aware of "a loss of separation" between Delta flight 2983 and other aircraft, shortly after takeoff from DCA. "We are currently collecting information, but have not yet launched an investigation," an NTSB spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital. Both incidents come months after the deadly Jan. 29 collision when an Army helicopter and an American Airlines plane collided near Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, D.C. All 67 people were killed, which included 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the American Airlines flight and three soldiers aboard the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
