Is Delta Air Lines Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?

Company Overview - Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) has a market capitalization of $43.8 billion, making it one of the largest airlines in the U.S. with a global network covering hundreds of destinations across six continents [1] - The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, operates multiple hubs, and employs approximately 100,000 people [1][2] Financial Performance - For Q3, Delta reported revenue of $16.7 billion, exceeding consensus estimates by 3.8% [5] - The company's earnings per share (EPS) was $2.17, surpassing consensus estimates by 39.8% [5] - Year-to-date (YTD), DAL stock is up 10.9%, while the S&P 500 Index has returned 16.8% [4] - Over the past 52 weeks, DAL shares have increased by 2%, lagging behind the S&P 500's 13.1% return [4] Stock Performance - Delta's shares have decreased 4.1% from their 52-week high of $69.98 but have increased 9.7% over the past three months, outperforming the S&P 500's 6% increase during the same period [3] - The stock has been trading above its 50-day moving average and has remained above its 200-day moving average since early August [4] Market Position and Analyst Sentiment - Delta Air Lines is considered a significant player in international aviation and logistics, offering commercial flights, cargo services, aircraft maintenance, and a major loyalty program [2] - Despite recent underperformance, analysts maintain a positive outlook, with a consensus rating of "Strong Buy" from 20 analysts and a mean price target of $73.64, indicating a potential upside of nearly 9.7% from current levels [6]