50% off Premium Yearly
Delta Air Lines IncDALTOP PICKSep 09, 2024Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Oct 16, 2026. Market Open.
He has avoided the boom-and-bust airline stocks for years. But the top airlines, recently, have become more durable. Loyal customers pay for the best seats at the front of the plane. DAL today reported small earnings and revenue misses and slashed their full-year earnings forecast by 24%. But shares turned positive anyway, because Wall Street saw this coming. But DAL guided for a higher than expected revenue growth. They're punished on their profits from high fuel costs, but demand for flights remains strong. DAL has generated enough revenue from first class and business class sales to offset those fuel costs. Also, they outsource their maintenance business which DAL thinks they can more than double in coming years. DAL leads peers in on-time arrivals and departures which is why premium customers will pay up.
The airline sector has come off again. Delta is the dominant carrier in Atlanta airport, the world's biggest airport and it is the least unionized airline. Also they own their own refinery and fuel is a big expense. It trades at 6X next year's earnings. Buy 21 Hold 1 Sell 0
(Analysts’ price target is $59.05)