United Continental CEO to return from leave; results miss

United Continental Thursday said its ailing CEO will return from medical leave by the end of Q1 or sooner, as it reported Q4 profit below analysts' expectations. Shares were up 1.1% after rising more than 3% earlier, part of a broader rebound in airline shares. CE Oscar Munoz, who suffered a heart attack in October, said on a conference call he was feeling great after a heart transplant this month. United previously said he would return by the beginning of Q2. The news overshadowed United's warning that it expects unit revenue to keep sinking as sharply lower oil prices hurt sales to energy clients around the airline's Houston hub. United doubled its adjusted profit to US$934m, or US$2.54 per diluted share. Analysts on average expected United to earn about US$959m, or US$2.58 per diluted share. United forecast a pre-tax profit margin between 8 and 10% in Q1, excluding special items. It also said it expects passenger unit revenue will fall between 6 and 8% in Q1 from a year ago.<br/>