Earnings Preview: Delta Air Lines stays buoyant on travel recovery

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After a long slowdown, the airline industry entered recovery mode last year and the upward trend continued in early 2023. For Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE: DAL ), 2022 was a mixed year marked by weather disruptions and operational improvements. . Companies bet on brand value and customer loyalty to execute growth strategies and extend competitive advantages.

Buy DAL?

Delta’s stock started the year, but began to lose steam last month and fell for five months, before recovering. With passenger traffic recovering quickly amid the relaxation of curbs, the company looks set to return to pre-COIVD performance. The good news is that the recovery will be better shareholder value. DAL is a safe investment option that has the potential to reward investors handsomely in the long run. A good valuation and a dividend yield of 2.8%, which is relatively high and above the S&P 500 average, make the stock even more attractive.

The rapid reopening of markets, the worsening of the COVID scenario in China and the post-pandemic rebound in business travel bodes well for the airline industry. However, the company will have to use a significant portion of its cash flow to pay off debt, as most airlines including Delta have accumulated large amounts of debt in recent years. And, rising interest rates and high fuel costs add to the problem.

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Q1 Report In Touch

Delta is expected to earn $0.32 per share in the first quarter of 2023 – a significant increase from the year-ago period when the company posted a loss of $1.23 per share.. Rebound represents approximately 48% growth in revenue to $12.05 billion. It is scheduled to publish results on April 13, before the market opens.

From Delta’s Q4 2022 earnings conference call:

“We have invested in the customer experience at every stage of the travel journey, from the continuous refresh of our fleet with next-generation more fuel-efficient aircraft to airport redevelopment and technology investments that provide employees and customers with a better, smoother experience. And we continue to attract and partner with leading brands to expand the SkyMiles ecosystem and further enable customers to use SkyMiles throughout their travels and beyond.In 2023, our momentum continues.

Key Number

The company ended the losses caused by the pandemic more than a year ago and has continued to increase its profits and profits ever since. In the fourth quarter, earnings topped expectations after three consecutive misses but declined in double digits to $1.48 per share. Meanwhile, passenger revenue rose 6% year over year, increasing operating profit by 17% to $13.4 billion. The top line also benefited from strong growth in non-core operating segments as well.

After opening Tuesday’s session at $34.48, Delta shares fell in the early hours of the session and traded close to their 52-week moving average. In the last 30 days, it has decreased by about 13%.

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