Transportation
Delta Air Lines Earnings Hit by Fuel Hedging Costs
Published:
Last Updated:
Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2015 results before markets opened Tuesday. The airlines reported diluted quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $1.25 on revenues of $9.5 billion. In the same period a year ago, Delta reported EPS of $0.78 on revenues of $9.65 billion. Fourth-quarter results also compare to the consensus estimates for EPS of $1.19 on revenues of $9.61 billion.
For the full year, Delta reported GAAP EPS of $5.63 on revenues of $40.7 billion, compared with 2014 EPS of $3.31 on revenues of $40.36 billion. Analysts were looking for EPS of $4.64 on revenues of $40.82 billion.
Delta’s adjusted EPS for the quarter totaled $1.18 and includes mark-to-market adjustments totaling $1.29 billion, including fuel hedging and restructuring costs, plus the company’s equity investment in Virgin Atlantic.
Adjusted to include mark-to-market impacts, fuel averaged $1.85 a gallon, a drop of $0.77 a gallon year over year in the fourth quarter. For the full year, fuel expense fell by about $2.3 billion and per gallon costs fell by $0.64.
The company’s president said:
As we look ahead to 2016, we have a significant opportunity to improve our performance even further. With over $3 billion in potential savings from lower fuel prices and numerous commercial, operational and cost initiatives already in place, we expect to again perform in the top tier of the S&P Industrials on earnings growth, margins, and cash flows this year despite global economic challenges.
For the first quarter of 2016, Delta expects fuel prices in the range of $1.20 to $1.25 per gallon. Seat capacity is expected to rise 2% to 3% compared with the first quarter of 2015. Passenger unit revenue is expected to come in 2.5% to 4.5% lower than in the same period last year. The consensus analysts’ estimates call for EPS of $1.21 on revenues of $9.25 billion. Delta did not provide revenues or EPS estimates.
Shares traded up about 2.1% at $45.45 in premarket trading Tuesday, in a 52-week range of $34.61 to $52.77. Prior to the release, Thomson/Reuters had a consensus price target of $66.62 on the company’s shares.
Let’s face it: If your money is just sitting in a checking account, you’re losing value every single day. With most checking accounts offering little to no interest, the cash you worked so hard to save is gradually being eroded by inflation.
However, by moving that money into a high-yield savings account, you can put your cash to work, growing steadily with little to no effort on your part. In just a few clicks, you can set up a high-yield savings account and start earning interest immediately.
There are plenty of reputable banks and online platforms that offer competitive rates, and many of them come with zero fees and no minimum balance requirements. Click here to see if you’re earning the best possible rate on your money!
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.