US airlines struggle for investors' trust amid seat-glut concern

Dallas

US airlines are being battered by investors concerned that the industry may revert to its old, costly habit of piling on too many seats, making it harder to charge more for tickets.

Even as planes fly full and carriers enjoy billions of dollars in savings on fuel, stocks are under pressure as a benchmark revenue gauge declines. That measure suggests that airlines are losing pricing power, stirring memories of recurring fare wars that once sapped earnings.

"This is an industry that Wall Street loves to hate," said Eric Marshall, president of Hodges Capital Management Inc, whose …