BUZZ - JetBlue Airways shares rise as the company seeks to ease concerns about its debt issues and raises its annual performance outlook

October 26 - ** JetBlue Airways (link) JBLU.O saw its shares rise 11% to $2.6 in after-hours trading after the company sought to reassure investors of its solid financial standing.

** The company raised its full-year seat revenue growth forecast from the previous 10%-12.5% to 13.5%-14.5%; it expects profit margins to expand further in the fourth quarter despite a sharp rise in fuel costs.

** Total debt for the third quarter was $8.39 billion, down from nearly $8.5 billion in the previous quarter.

** Cash and cash equivalents fell from $1.95 billion to $1.26 billion.

** Liquidity at the end of the quarter was reported at $2.2 billion, with unencumbered assets of $2.8 billion.

** JBLU posted an adjusted loss per share of 60 cents in the third quarter, compared to a loss of 40 cents per share in the same period last year.

** According to LSEG data, Wall Street previously expected a loss of 55 cents per share.

** Of 18 brokerages, 13 rate as "hold," and five rate as "sell" or lower; the median price target is $4—data compiled by LSEG.

** The Wall Street Journal reported Friday evening that, amid growing debt concerns, a group of JBLU’s senior creditors is working with a restructuring advisor (link).

** As of Friday's close, the stock has fallen 42.7% year-to-date.

(For the convenience of non-English speakers, Reuters automatically translates its stories into several other languages. As automated translation may be inaccurate or lack the required context, Reuters does not guarantee the accuracy of the automated translation texts and provides them solely for readers’ convenience. Reuters assumes no responsibility for any damage or loss arising from the use of the automated translation feature.)