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Delta Air Lines (DAL)
NYSE:DAL

Delta Air Lines (DAL) AI Stock Analysis

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DADelta Air Lines
(NYSE:DAL)
77Outperform
Delta Air Lines is on a positive trajectory with strong financial performance, positive earnings outlook, and strategic initiatives. While technical indicators show bullish momentum, caution is warranted due to overbought signals. Valuation is fair, and recent corporate events support long-term growth. Delta's ability to balance growth with financial stability is key to maintaining this trajectory.
Positive Factors
Financial performance
Delta is poised for a year of significant margin expansion and FCF generation.
Revenue growth
Delta anticipates another strong quarter for unit revenues.
Negative Factors
Macroeconomic impact
Macroeconomic weakness could curb discretionary spending on travel.

Delta Air Lines (DAL) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

Delta Air Lines Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionDelta Air Lines, Inc. is a major American airline headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of the world's largest airlines, operating extensive domestic and international network services across various regions including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Delta offers passenger services through its mainline operations and regional affiliates, providing a range of travel options from economy to premium classes. In addition to passenger services, Delta also operates cargo services and offers maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services to other airlines.
How the Company Makes MoneyDelta Air Lines generates revenue primarily through the sale of passenger tickets, which is the largest component of its income. The company offers various fare classes and services, catering to different customer needs and preferences. Another significant revenue stream comes from cargo operations, where Delta transports goods globally. Additionally, the airline earns money through ancillary services such as baggage fees, seat upgrades, and in-flight purchases. Delta also benefits from partnerships and alliances with other airlines, including code-sharing agreements, which enhance its route network and customer reach. Furthermore, Delta's MRO services provide additional income through maintenance contracts with other airlines.

Delta Air Lines Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Delta Air Lines exhibits a strong recovery with improved profitability margins and robust revenue growth. The balance sheet shows moderate leverage, and cash flow generation is strong, supporting operational flexibility. Overall, Delta is on a positive path, though careful debt management is advised.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Delta Air Lines has demonstrated strong recovery and growth in its financial performance. The TTM Gross Profit Margin stands at 22.41%, and the Net Profit Margin at 5.89%, both indicating good profitability. Revenue growth is robust, with a 6.19% increase from the previous year, signaling a positive trajectory. The EBIT Margin is 9.73%, and the EBITDA Margin is 11.90%, reflecting efficient operational management. Overall, the income statement metrics highlight stability and a solid recovery from past economic challenges.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet shows a moderate level of risk due to a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.11, indicating a balanced capital structure. The Return on Equity (ROE) is 23.76%, which is strong, suggesting effective use of equity investments. However, the Equity Ratio stands at 20.28%, which is relatively low, implying high reliance on debt financing. While the company has improved its equity position over recent years, the debt level remains a risk factor to be monitored.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Cash flow analysis indicates a healthy position with a Free Cash Flow Growth Rate of 152.89% from the previous year, showcasing significant improvement. The Operating Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio is 2.21, and the Free Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio is 0.80, both indicating strong cash generation relative to earnings. These metrics highlight Delta's ability to generate cash, critical for sustaining operations and managing debt.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
61.64B58.05B50.58B29.90B17.09B
Gross Profit
14.84B14.13B7.82B-179.00M-6.45B
EBIT
6.00B5.52B1.61B260.00M-12.47B
EBITDA
8.21B8.78B5.05B3.67B-12.35B
Net Income Common Stockholders
3.46B4.61B1.32B280.00M-12.38B
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
3.07B3.87B6.53B11.32B14.10B
Total Assets
75.37B73.64B72.28B72.47B72.05B
Total Debt
22.77B27.28B30.61B34.62B35.55B
Net Debt
19.70B24.54B27.34B26.68B27.24B
Total Liabilities
60.08B62.54B65.82B68.84B70.70B
Stockholders Equity
15.29B11.11B6.46B3.63B1.35B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
2.88B1.14B-2.00M16.00M-5.69B
Operating Cash Flow
8.03B6.46B6.36B3.26B-3.79B
Investing Cash Flow
-3.74B-3.15B-6.92B-897.00M-9.24B
Financing Cash Flow
-4.26B-3.39B-4.54B-3.85B19.36B

Delta Air Lines Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price53.28
Price Trends
50DMA
63.45
Negative
100DMA
61.79
Negative
200DMA
53.67
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-2.70
Positive
RSI
29.30
Positive
STOCH
19.09
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For DAL, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 53.28 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 61.45, below the 50-day MA of 63.45, and below the 200-day MA of 53.67, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -2.70 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 29.30 is Positive, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 19.09 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for DAL.

Delta Air Lines Risk Analysis

Delta Air Lines disclosed 24 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Delta Air Lines reported the most risks in the “Production” category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Delta Air Lines Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
UAUAL
80
Outperform
$27.13B8.7928.63%6.23%20.08%
DADAL
77
Outperform
$34.42B9.9926.19%1.03%6.19%-25.26%
ALALK
77
Outperform
$7.46B19.869.31%12.56%69.33%
LULUV
63
Neutral
$17.31B38.714.50%2.46%5.34%-6.20%
62
Neutral
$8.11B13.341.17%3.02%4.16%-15.14%
AAAAL
58
Neutral
$8.57B11.76-21.27%2.70%2.20%
47
Neutral
$2.16B-26.60%-3.50%-148.99%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
DAL
Delta Air Lines
53.28
11.06
26.20%
ALK
Alaska Air
60.64
23.28
62.31%
JBLU
JetBlue Airways
6.11
-0.93
-13.21%
LUV
Southwest Airlines
29.20
-3.99
-12.02%
UAL
United Airlines Holdings
82.88
39.99
93.24%
AAL
American Airlines
13.03
-1.62
-11.06%

Delta Air Lines Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Jan 10, 2025 | % Change Since: -13.04% | Next Earnings Date: Apr 9, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflected a strong financial performance for Delta in 2024, with record profits and operational excellence. The outlook for 2025 is positive, with anticipated revenue growth and strategic partnerships enhancing customer experience. However, there are some challenges noted, such as the impact of wildfires and pressure on main cabin revenue, but these do not overshadow the overall positive trajectory.
Highlights
Record December Quarter Profit
Delta reported a December quarter pretax profit of $1.6 billion, marking the largest December quarter profit in its history, improving more than $500 million over last year.
Operational Excellence Recognition
Delta achieved industry-leading performance with the #1 system completion factor and on-time performance, and was recognized with Cirium's Platinum Award for operational excellence for the fourth consecutive year.
Strong Financial Performance in 2024
Full year earnings per share of $6.16, with a return on invested capital of 13%, and free cash flow of $3.4 billion, a nearly $1.5 billion improvement over 2023.
Investment Grade Rating Restored
S&P upgraded Delta, restoring its balance sheet to investment-grade level at all three major credit agencies.
Employee Rewards and Profit Sharing
Delta announced a $1.4 billion profit-sharing payout for employees, one of the top 3 in its history, and a 5% pay increase in 2024.
Strong Start to 2025
Delta is on track for its best financial year with expectations of more than $4 billion in free cash flow and earnings per share greater than $7.35.
New Partnerships and Innovations
Delta announced partnerships with YouTube and Uber, and introduced Delta Concierge and Delta Sync to enhance customer experience.
Premium and Loyalty Revenue Growth
Premium revenue grew 8% over 2023, and total loyalty revenue increased by 9%.
Lowlights
Impact of Southern California Wildfires
Delta noted a decline in sales due to the wildfires in Southern California, although it is not expected to have a significant impact on the quarter.
Challenges in Los Angeles Market
The wildfires in Los Angeles affected local demand, causing a temporary dip in sales.
Pressure on Main Cabin Revenue
While premium revenue continues to grow, the main cabin has been under significant pressure and is seen as an area with potential for improvement.
Company Guidance
During the Delta Air Lines Q4 2024 earnings call, the executives provided optimistic guidance for 2025. They projected a 7% to 9% revenue growth for the March quarter, driven by strong demand and industry dynamics. Operating margins are expected to expand by 2 points, with earnings per share (EPS) nearly doubling from the previous year. For the full year, Delta anticipates EPS greater than $7.35, indicating a growth of over 20% compared to 2024, with free cash flow surpassing $4 billion. The company plans to reduce its leverage ratio to 2x or less, supported by robust cash generation, while maintaining low single-digit non-fuel unit cost growth. Additionally, Delta highlighted an expected capacity increase of 3% to 4%, mainly in premium cabins, and emphasized the significant role of partnerships and technology in enhancing customer experience and loyalty.

Delta Air Lines Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
Delta Air Lines Elects Judith McKenna to Board
Positive
Jan 15, 2025

On January 15, 2025, Delta Air Lines announced the election of Judith McKenna to its Board of Directors, effective February 7, 2025. McKenna brings extensive leadership experience from her previous roles at Walmart and is expected to enhance Delta’s strategic direction with her global management expertise.

Executive/Board Changes
Delta Air Lines Appoints Christophe Beck to Board
Positive
Dec 13, 2024

Delta Air Lines has appointed Christophe Beck to its Board of Directors, highlighting his extensive leadership experience and technological expertise. Beck, the current CEO of Ecolab Inc., brings 30 years of global management experience, which is expected to add valuable insights to Delta’s strategic direction.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.