Southwest, American Airlines stocks took off in 2014

Local airline stocks soared on Wall Street in 2014, and a crafts retailer climbed the charts as well. Meanwhile, when one industry climbs, others might plummet even in an upbeat economy. A Fort Worth-based consumer electronics retailer struggled to stay afloat and a container big-box store chain lost momentum. And some local energy-related stocks suffered when crude oil prices plummeted.

Here are the best and worst performers in the local stock arena for 2014:

Best performers

Southwest Airlines (LUV), +124.6%

Southwest had a tail wind all year long. The Dallas low-fare king benefited from the launch of long-haul flying at Dallas Love Field with the end of the Wright Amendment, international routes from the integration of AirTran into its network and a recovering economy. For the first nine months of 2014, profits surged 75 percent to $946 million.

Share price at close Wednesday: $42.32

52-week high: $42.94

52-week low: $18.76

American Airlines Group (AAL), +112.4%

Bankruptcy seems like a distant memory just a year after the merger with US Airways. The Fort Worth-based airline reported record profits ($2.29 billion for the first nine months of the year) and just gave all employees a 4 percent raise. The first year of integrating American and US Airways operations went smoothly, but the biggest hurdles lie ahead for 2015: reaching new contracts with its unions and merging two computer reservation systems.

Share price at close Wednesday: $53.63

52-week high: $53.70

52-week low: $24.63

Michaels Cos. (MIK), +45.5%

When Michaels Stores went public in June, the arts-and-crafts retailer probably didn’t think there was enough craft glue in the world to hold its shares together. First-day trading was deemed lackluster and shares closed at $17.02, at the low end of its sales range. In the third quarter, sales rose 1 percent to $1.13 billion, operating income rose, and the company raised its expectations. The retailer had a breakout third quarter, earning $64 million, and shares took off.

Share price at close Wednesday: $24.73

52-week high: $25.46

52-week low: $14.51

Felcor Lodging (FCH), +32.6%

The Irving-based real estate investment trust has gained as the number of hotel properties it owns goes down. Wall Street has responded to its less-is-more strategy as the firm plans to reduce its portfolio to 40 properties by early 2015. Nearly 10 years ago, the company had 125 properties and shed some Metroplex holdings first. The company has also added high-revenue luxury properties and plans to reopen New York’s famed Knickerbocker Hotel in February.

Share price at close Wednesday: $10.82

52-week high: $11.10

52-week low: $7.49

Emerge Energy Services (EMES), +21.8%

Southlake-based Emerge Energy Services will turn 3 years old in 2015, and demand for its sand used in hydraulic fracturing remains high. In the third quarter, the company sold 1.1 million tons. In the first nine months of the year, revenue increased to $868.6 million from $627.2 million in 2013, and net income was $64.6 million, compared with $21.1 million. Emerge Energy is also involved in fuel refining and distribution.

Share price at close Wednesday: $54

52-week high: $145.72

52-week low: $39.90

Worst performers

Quicksilver Resources (KWK), -93.5%

Shares of the Fort Worth-based oil and gas producer tumbled as investors fretted over falling commodity prices and the company’s high debt. Quicksilver recorded a $24 million profit for the third quarter after losing money in the first two quarters. It has been under pressure to refinance $350 million in debt by January 2016 to avoid triggering early maturities on more than $1 billion in other notes. Falling oil and gas prices only add to the pressure.

Share price at close Wednesday: $0.20

52-week high: $3.67

52-week low: $0.18

RadioShack (RSH), -85.8%

The Fort Worth-based consumer electronics retailer posted big losses all year and ended 2014 fighting to stay out of bankruptcy. For the third quarter, the company lost $161 million, saw sales decline 16 percent, and launched a $400 million cost-cutting effort. Some executives left the company, including top finance and marketing officials, and a team of restructuring consultants was assembled. A couple of Wall Street analysts set price targets of zero.

Share price at close Wednesday: $0.37

52-week high: $2.79

52-week low: $0.39

Approach Resources (AREX) -66.9%

This Fort Worth-based oil and gas producer had good quarterly returns in November. Its $22.4 million in net income beat analysts’ predictions. But its $68.1 million in revenue fell short of Wall Street forecasts — another energy stock hurt by plummeting prices. CEO Ross Craft insisted Dec. 16 that Approach can endure the price swoon, citing low drilling and completion costs, a strong balance sheet and hedges. Wall Street remained skeptical, but at least one analyst said the low stock price might look like a good buy later.

Share price at close Wednesday: $6.39

52-week high: $24

52-week low: $4.28

Container Store Group (TCS) -58.9%

The Coppell-based retail chain’s stock doubled from its $18 initial public offering price on Nov. 1, 2013, but most of those gains evaporated after a series of lowered profit predictions. The poor Wall Street reception befuddled CEO Kip Tindell, who told Bloomberg in October that he might stop providing profit forecasts after a lowered prediction prompted a 25 percent one-day share plunge. “It’s been intense, it’s been stressful, it’s been a little bit illogical,” he said. “We’ve never felt better about the business.”

Share price at close Wednesday: $19.13

52-week high: $47.07

52-week low: $15.49

Basic Energy Services (BAS) -55.6%

The Fort Worth-based oil and gas services company is another energy stock punished by the steep oil price decline. Revenue increased 21 percent to $394 million for the quarter that ended Sept. 30, leading to a net profit of $9.9 million, up from a loss of $6.9 million for the same period a year ago. But the quarterly report warned that continued lower oil prices might lead to cutback in new drilling by its customers.

Share price at close Wednesday: $7.01

52-week high: $29.84

52-week low: $5.01

This story was originally published December 30, 2014 at 10:12 PM with the headline "Southwest, American Airlines stocks took off in 2014."