Delta Air Lines Beats Up on Analysts Yet Again
Delta Air Lines (NYS: DAL) reported earnings on Jan. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Delta Air Lines beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.
Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew, and earnings per share grew significantly.
Margins improved across the board.
Revenue details
Delta Air Lines reported revenue of $8.4 billion. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $8.3 billion. Sales were 7.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $7.8 billion
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.
EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.45. The 14 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.38 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.50 for Q4 were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.02 per share.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.
Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 44.7%, 2,450 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.7%, 450 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.1%, 490 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.
Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $8.2 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.10.
Next year's average estimate for revenue is $36.1 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.25.
Investor sentiment
The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 531 members out of 908 rating the stock outperform, and 378 members rating it underperform. Among 222 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 127 give Delta Air Lines a green thumbs-up, and 95 give it a red thumbs-down.
Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Delta Air Lines is outperform, with an average price target of $13.43.
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At the time thisarticle was published Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor ofMotley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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