Shares in Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE: DAL) are on the rise this morning after the company reported its Q1 2026 results.
Although the revenue and EPS for Delta (DAL) give a sense of how its business performed in the quarter ended March 2026, it might be worth considering how some key metrics compare with Wall Street estimates and the year-ago numbers.
Shares of Delta Air Lines surged sharply in early Wednesday trading, lifted by stronger-than-expected earnings and optimism following a two-week cease-fire agreement between the US and Iran that sent oil prices tumbling. The stock jumped more than 11% after the market opened, putting it on track for one of its strongest single-day gains in over a year.
Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE:DAL) reported first quarter revenue and earnings that exceeded analyst expectations, and indicated continued strength in demand despite rising fuel costs and operational challenges. For the March quarter, the airline reported adjusted revenue of $14.2 billion, slightly above the $14.11 billion consensus.
Delta Air Lines (DAL) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.64 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.61 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.46 per share a year ago.
Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) shares are up 13% in early trading Wednesday morning, recovering sharply after yesterday's close of $65.62.
Stocks are rallying premarket, and oil prices are falling, after news of a reprieve in Iran.
Delta had better-than-expected earnings reported after the Iran cease-fire was announced.
Delta Air Lines said Wednesday it will "meaningfully reduce" its capacity growth plans in the near term. Delta joined United and JetBlue in hiking its checked bag fees this week as jet fuel costs surge.
Major U.S. carrier withdrew full-year guidance this time last year after Trump's sweeping tariffs announcement. It could be déjà vu.
"The K-shaped economy is very much applicable to travel," says Landon Swan of @LikeFolio, pointing to positive web interest in Delta (DAL), United (UAL), and American Airlines (AAL). For Delta in particular, he believes the airline is the best in the industry due to wealthier consumers still being willing to spend.
Delta Air Lines has become the latest air carrier imposing fuel-cost-related price increases. The Atlanta-based airline will increase charges for checked bags by $10 to $50 each, according to a statement Tuesday (April 7) cited by multiple news outlets.