Key Points
- EVP John Laughter sold 69,304 shares at an average of $68.15 on April 10, reducing his Delta stake by about 49.98% and realizing roughly $4.72 million; he now holds 69,369 shares.
- Delta beat quarterly expectations with $0.64 EPS (vs. $0.61 est.) and $14.20 billion in revenue (+9.4% YoY), while the stock trades near $67 with a P/E of 9.78 and a 1.1% dividend yield.
- Analysts remain largely constructive—average target about $79—backed by product upgrades like new Delta One suites, though investors face risks from higher jet-fuel/geopolitical pressures and the recent large insider sale.
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL - Get Free Report) EVP John Laughter sold 69,304 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, April 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.15, for a total value of $4,723,067.60. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 69,369 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,727,497.35. This trade represents a 49.98% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link.
Delta Air Lines Stock Down 1.1%
Shares of NYSE:DAL opened at $67.09 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The company has a market capitalization of $44.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 1.31. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a 52-week low of $38.80 and a 52-week high of $76.39. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $66.55 and its 200-day simple moving average is $64.98.
Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 8th. The transportation company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.61 by $0.03. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 20.28% and a net margin of 6.87%.The firm had revenue of $14.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $14.05 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.46 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Delta Air Lines Dividend Announcement
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 26th were issued a dividend of $0.1875 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 26th. This represents a $0.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Delta Air Lines's payout ratio is 10.93%.
Analyst Ratings Changes
Several analysts have commented on the stock. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Delta Air Lines in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Weiss Ratings lowered Delta Air Lines from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a research note on Friday, March 6th. Citigroup raised their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $77.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Raymond James Financial lifted their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $76.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on Delta Air Lines from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have issued a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Delta Air Lines presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $79.26.
Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Delta Air Lines
More Delta Air Lines News
Here are the key news stories impacting Delta Air Lines this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Delta is rolling out an updated Delta One suite and new private premium business-class suites aimed at boosting higher-margin premium revenue, supporting longer-term unit-revenue improvement. Delta One suite unveiled
- Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised targets and stayed constructive: Jefferies lifted its target to $81 (buy) and TD Cowen has increased its model-based target to $84, which underpins upside expectations versus current levels. Jefferies raises target to $81
- Positive Sentiment: Product enhancements continue: media coverage and analyst notes highlight Delta’s investment in premium cabins and pricing power, which management says helps offset cost pressures. Delta upgrades business class
- Neutral Sentiment: Strategic partnerships could add ancillary revenue: coverage notes an Amazon–Delta in-flight Wi‑Fi tie-up that may open new revenue channels if execution scales. Amazon and Delta in-flight Wi‑Fi
- Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: EVP John E. Laughter sold ~69,304 shares (~50% reduction in his holdings), a large discloseable sale that can spook investors even if it’s for diversification or liquidity reasons. SEC filing: insider sale
- Negative Sentiment: Fuel/geopolitical risk is rising: reports about a possible Hormuz blockade and related oil-market tension have pushed concerns about jet-fuel availability and prices, a direct margin headwind for airlines. Airline stocks drop amid Hormuz blockade fears
- Negative Sentiment: Recent coverage flagged Delta’s “double miss” impact from a jet-fuel-driven cost spike; that underscores earnings vulnerability if fuel stays elevated despite pricing power. Delta's double miss warning
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Delta Air Lines
A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of DAL. IFM Investors Pty Ltd grew its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd now owns 28,167 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,955,000 after buying an additional 144 shares during the period. Utah Retirement Systems raised its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Utah Retirement Systems now owns 52,620 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $3,652,000 after buying an additional 144 shares during the period. First Financial Bank Trust Division boosted its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 3.3% in the fourth quarter. First Financial Bank Trust Division now owns 4,721 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $328,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 2.6% in the fourth quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC now owns 6,022 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $454,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC increased its stake in Delta Air Lines by 2.4% during the fourth quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 6,472 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $449,000 after acquiring an additional 152 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.93% of the company's stock.
About Delta Air Lines
(
Get Free Report)
Delta Air Lines is a major U.S.-based global airline that provides scheduled passenger and cargo air transportation, aircraft maintenance and repair services, and related travel products. Its operations include mainline domestic and international passenger services, a branded regional network operating under the Delta Connection name, dedicated air cargo carriage, and in-house maintenance, repair and overhaul through Delta TechOps. Delta offers a range of cabin products for different customer segments, including premium business-class service on long-haul routes and tiered economy offerings on domestic and international flights, and it markets customer loyalty benefits through the SkyMiles frequent-flyer program.
The carrier operates a mixed fleet of narrow- and wide-body aircraft from multiple U.S.
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