United Continental posts $138M 4Q loss

The parent company of United and Continental airlines says it lost $138 million in the fourth quarter because of the costs of integrating the two airlines.

Without special charges, United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL) says it would have earned $109 million, or 30 cents per share.

Analysts surveyed by FactSet had been expecting a profit of 13 cents per share.

Revenue rose more than 5 percent, to $8.93 billion, the same as analysts expected.

The company spent $170 million integrating the two airlines.

A year ago it lost $325 million because of integration costs. The companies closed the merger on Oct. 1, 2010.

Revenue for each seat flown one mile rose 8.2 percent as the company raised fares.