Delta Says It Has Started 2026 "Great Momentum" -- Time to Buy the Stock?

Core Insights - Delta Air Lines has concluded its centennial year with positive trends that are outperforming the broader airline industry [1] - The company is experiencing strong business momentum, with shares trading at a low valuation of 9 times earnings and record levels of free cash flow [1] Financial Performance - In the fourth quarter, Delta's revenue increased by 1.2% year over year, a slowdown compared to the 4.1% growth in Q3 [4] - Non-GAAP earnings per share fell by 16% year over year during the fourth quarter, yet management remains optimistic due to the company's performance relative to the industry [4] - Over the past three years, Delta has generated $10 billion in free cash flow, significantly improving its balance sheet and reducing leverage by over 50% [5] Future Outlook - The start of 2026 has shown strong momentum, with accelerating top-line growth driven by consumer and corporate demand [6] - Delta reported record bookings and double-digit cash sales growth leading up to its earnings release on January 13 [8] - For the first quarter, Delta expects revenue to rise by 5% to 7% year over year and non-GAAP earnings per share to be between $0.50 and $0.90, indicating a potential 52% year-over-year growth at the midpoint [8]