Delta Air Lines (NYSE: $DAL) Set to Report Q3 Earnings Today

10. Okt.

As Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) prepares to report its Q3 earnings on October 10, 2024, investors are keenly watching for signs of a potential breakout. Despite facing industry-wide challenges, including rising costs and the looming impact of Hurricane Milton, Delta stock (DAL) is showing signs of bullish momentum. With analysts predicting a 25% earnings decline to $1.52 per share, the Atlanta-based airline still has promising revenue growth forecasts, as the airline sector continues to rebound.

Earnings Outlook
For Q3, analysts expect Delta’s earnings to decline 25% year-over-year, largely due to higher operating costs and fare competition caused by an oversupply of flights but that's too bad. However, revenue is expected to inch up by 0.7%, reaching $15.595 billion, thanks to steady travel demand at least some hopium. The outlook for Delta’s full-year earnings suggests a slight dip to $6.18 per share, which is within the airline’s guidance range of $6-$7 per share. Notably, analysts project a strong 19% rebound in earnings for 2025, raising optimism for long-term investors.

Revenue Hit from IT Outage:
This earnings report will be Delta’s first since the massive IT outage in July caused by a CrowdStrike software update. The outage forced the airline to cancel thousands of flights, resulting in a $500 million revenue hit. While the company has considered legal action against the software provider, the incident has cast a shadow over its Q3 performance. ugh With all this, i don't think DAL stock could escape the plunge.

Hurricane Milton's Impact:
The imminent arrival of Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm, poses an additional threat to Delta’s Q3 results. On Wednesday alone, over 2,500 flights were canceled, many of which belonged to Delta. The company is bracing for further disruptions as the hurricane hits Florida’s west coast. This comes on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which wreaked havoc across the Southeast earlier in the month.

Despite these headwinds, Delta’s leadership in the airline industry remains solid. As one of the most profitable U.S. carriers, Delta is expected to weather these short-term challenges and emerge stronger, especially as the entire travel sector, including cruise lines and hotels, rebounds aggressively into 2025.

Technical Analysis:
On the technical front, Delta stock is approaching a key buy point at $52.45, which represents a cup-with-handle formation. The stock has been in a rally mode, following a 6% gap-up in late September, when Southwest Airlines raised its revenue guidance and lowered fuel cost projections. Since then, Delta stock (NYSE: DAL) has gained nearly 2%, closing just shy of the crucial buy point on Wednesday.

Bullish RSI and Inverted Hammer Signal Potential Breakout:
As of Wednesday’s close, Delta stock (NYSE: DAL) exhibited a bullish RSI of 67.24, suggesting strong momentum. Additionally, the daily price chart revealed a bullish inverted hammer candlestick, a pattern often indicative of a potential reversal to the upside. A breakout above $52.45 could pave the way for a move toward the pivot point at $54, marking a bullish trajectory for the stock.

However, traders should also keep a close eye on the downside. A break below the one-month low of $46 could trigger a selling spree, especially if the hurricane impacts the company more severely than expected.

Broader Sector Rebound: A Positive Tailwind
While Delta faces (NYSE: DAL) its own unique challenges, the broader airline sector has been rallying for nine straight weeks. United Airlines (UAL) and Southwest Airlines (LUV), which are set to report earnings later this month, have both been climbing in tandem. The entire travel sector, buoyed by strong demand for both leisure and business travel, continues to outperform, with analysts predicting further gains through 2025.

In addition to the airline industry, cruise lines like Royal Caribbean (RCL) and travel booking platforms have seen robust growth, with Citi analysts noting that the rally “has real legs” into 2025. For Delta, this sector-wide recovery could provide further support for its stock price, despite near-term turbulence.

Price Target and Analyst Sentiment:
Delta stock (NYSE: DAL) is currently trading around $47.90, down 6.5% in premarket trading on Thursday. Analysts remain optimistic about the stock’s long-term prospects, with a consensus price target of $61.89, implying a 21% upside from Wednesday’s close. Additionally, 11 analysts have assigned Delta a "Strong Buy" rating, further bolstering the bullish sentiment surrounding the stock.

Conclusion:
Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) is at a critical juncture as it prepares to report Q3 earnings. Despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Milton, rising costs, and the recent IT outage, Delta’s fundamentals remain strong. The airline is expected to see a modest revenue increase in Q3, with significant earnings growth projected for next year. Technically, the stock is on the cusp of a potential breakout, and a move above $52.45 could trigger a fresh rally. However, investors should remain cautious, as a dip below $46 could lead to a sell-off.