Delta (DAL) Q4 Earnings: Taking a Look at Key Metrics Versus Estimates

Delta Air Lines (DAL) reported $15.56 billion in revenue for the quarter ended December 2024, representing a year-over-year increase of 9.4%. EPS of $1.85 for the same period compares to $1.28 a year ago.The reported revenue represents a surprise of +3.82% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $14.99 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $1.76, the EPS surprise was +5.11%.While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.Here is how Delta performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts: Passenger Load Factor: 84% versus the five-analyst average estimate of 85.2%. Revenue passenger miles - Consolidated: 60.39 billion versus the four-analyst average estimate of 60.53 billion. Cost per Available Seat Mile (CASM) - Ex: 13.72 cents compared to the 13.69 cents average estimate based on four analysts. Adjusted- Average fuel price per gallon: $2.34 versus $2.32 estimated by four analysts on average. Available seat miles - Consolidated: 72.04 billion versus 70.9 billion estimated by four analysts on average. Passenger Revenue by Geographic Region- Domestic: $9.19 billion compared to the $8.95 billion average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +4.8% year over year. Passenger Revenue by Geographic Region- Pacific: $661 million versus $598.53 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +19.5% change. Passenger Revenue by Geographic Region- Latin America: $987 million compared to the $986.18 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +3.7% year over year. Passenger Revenue by Geographic Region- Atlantic: $1.97 billion compared to the $2.06 billion average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +3.9% year over year. Operating Revenues- Passenger: $12.82 billion versus $12.60 billion estimated by six analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +5.3% change. Operating Revenues- Cargo: $249 million versus the six-analyst average estimate of $196.97 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +32.5%. Operating Revenues- Other net: $2.50 billion versus $2.29 billion estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +34.1% change. View all Key Company Metrics for Delta here>>>Shares of Delta have returned -0.3% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -2.2% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and SellsWe're not kidding.Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent.Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators,and more, that closed 228 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2023 alone.See Stocks Now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks