Delta Air Lines expects to grow earnings in the fourth quarter, thanks to resilient travel demand and strong bookings for year-end holidays.
The Atlanta-based carrier on Thursday forecast fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.60 to $1.85 per share, compared with Wall Street estimates of $1.71, according to LSEG, and above the adjusted $1.28 per share it reported a year earlier.
Revenue will likely rise between 2% and 4% from a a year earlier, compared with estimates of a 4.1% increase. The carrier warned it expects a 1-point revenue hit from lower demand before and after the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election.
“We do anticipate seeing a little choppiness around the election, which we’ve seen in past national elections,” CEO Ed Bastian said in an interview. “Consumers will, I think, take a little bit of pause in making investment decisions, whether its discretionary or other things. I think you’re going to hear other industries talking …