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(AP) - Northwest Airlines Corp. posted a narrower
fourth-quarter loss Tuesday, beating Wall Street's forecasts
despite higher fuel costs.

      For the three months through December, the carrier reported a
loss of $8 million, or 3 cents per share. During the same period
last year, Northwest had a loss of $267 million, or $3.06 per
share, because of hefty bankruptcy expenses.

      The most recent figure includes a $14 million pretax loss
related to Northwest's stake in Pinnacle Airlines. Excluding that
item, Northwest said it broke even.

      Analysts had been expecting a loss of 8 cents per share,
according to a survey by Thomson Financial. Those forecasts
typically exclude one-time items.

      Northwest said revenue increased to $3.10 billion, from $2.98
billion previously. Analysts predicted revenue of $3.03 billion, on
average.

      Operating costs rose $123 million, or 4.3 percent; without fuel
costs, those expenses would have fallen by $6 million, Northwest
said.

      Northwest emerged from bankruptcy protection May 31. The
carrier, the nation's fifth-largest by revenue, did not comment on
speculation of a combination with Delta Air Lines Inc.
      

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Northwest Airlines Corp. posted a narrower
fourth-quarter loss Tuesday, beating Wall Street's forecasts despite higher fuel costs.
For the three months through December, the carrier reported a loss of $8 million, or 3 cents per share.

NWA posts narrower 4th-quarter loss, beats estimates

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