Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) shares were up Friday the airline reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results.
The carrier delivered record December quarter revenue and operating profit with industry-leading operational performance. It also reported record full year 2024 revenue, $5 billion of pre-tax income, $8 billion of operating cash flow and $3.4 billion of free cash flow
Guiding to 2025 earnings of greater than $7.35 per share and free cash flow of greater than $4 billion. Expect March quarter revenue growth of 7 to 9 percent with earnings of $0.70 to $1.00 per share
Said CEO Ed Bastian, “2024 was a great year for Delta with our results reflecting differentiation from the industry and increased durability. Our people finished the year strong, delivering industry-leading operational and financial performance. Sharing Delta’s success is core to our culture, and I’m excited to recognize our people’s outstanding efforts with $1.4 billion in profit sharing payments next month.
“As we move into 2025, we expect strong demand for travel to continue, with consumers increasingly seeking the premium products and experiences that Delta provides. Our differentiated strategy and best-in-class operations, combined with demand strength and an increasingly constructive industry backdrop, position us to deliver the best financial year in Delta’s 100-year history, with pre-tax income greater than $6 billion, earnings per share greater than $7.35 and free cash flow of more than $4 billion.”
DAL shares hiked $3.51, or 5.7%, to $64.93.