Need a Latin lover in your portfolio? Latin American economies are among the bright emerging market stars this year.
While the world's airlines are still struggling, Chile's LAN Airlines posted a 50% jump in its fourth-quarter profit, reflecting a 17% increase in revenue from its passenger business, and a 31% spike in sales from its cargo business. Plus, the airline has plenty of cash and no short-term debt.
And business may only get better since LAN is on a path toward regional dominance. Late last year, the airline purchased Colombia's Aires and is now on the verge of a merger with Brazil's TAM. Though the deal still has to make it through regulatory hurdles, analysts expect it will go through, making LAN Latin America's biggest airline and among the world's top 15.
With such a promising future, Deutsche Bank analysts expect shares will soar 40% to $40 a share in 2011.
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