UBS cuts Delta Air Lines stock price target to $77 from $90

Published 11/03/2025, 15:06
© Reuters.

On Tuesday, UBS analyst Thomas Wadewitz revised the price target for Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) stock, reducing it to $77.00 from the previous $90.00, while maintaining a Buy rating on the shares. The stock, which has declined nearly 8% in the past week and is trading at an attractive P/E ratio of 9.2x, appears undervalued according to InvestingPro analysis. With a market capitalization of $31.25 billion, Delta remains a prominent player in the passenger airlines industry. The adjustment follows Delta Air Lines’ announcement of a lower-than-expected revenue growth forecast for the first quarter (1Q) of 2025. Initially, the airline anticipated revenue growth to be between 7% and 9%, but has now adjusted its expectations to a range of 3% to 4%.

Delta Air Lines cited several factors for this revision, including fuel costs that are tracking approximately $0.05 per gallon higher than their initial estimate for the quarter. Additionally, the company has provided an updated earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $0.30 to $0.50, a decrease from the previously projected range of $0.70 to $1.00. This new forecast falls below the consensus estimate of $0.83 and UBS’s pre-update estimate of $0.90 per share.

The airline observed a strong performance in January; however, it experienced a downturn in leisure and main cabin travel starting in early February, with a slowdown in business travel occurring later that month. Delta has attributed approximately half of the revenue shortfall in the first quarter to a weaker economic environment and increased uncertainty. Despite these challenges, the company maintains robust fundamentals with trailing twelve-month revenue of $61.64 billion and a strong analyst consensus recommendation of 1.39 (Strong Buy). The other half is believed to be due to weather-related disruptions and the temporary impact of plane accidents.

Despite the weaker start to the year, Delta Air Lines has indicated positive signs for the near future. The company has reported strong booking numbers for April and May. Moreover, the current trends in premium and international travel are reported to be robust, suggesting a potential rebound in these segments. For deeper insights into Delta’s valuation and growth prospects, including 8 additional exclusive ProTips and comprehensive financial analysis, visit InvestingPro, where you’ll find detailed research reports and expert commentary on over 1,400 US stocks.

In other recent news, major U.S. airlines, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL), and Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV), have reported lower-than-expected financial results for the first quarter. Delta Air Lines adjusted its revenue growth estimate to 3-4%, down from the previously projected 7-9%, and revised its operating margin expectations to 4-5%, compared to the earlier guidance of 6-8%. The company’s earnings per share forecast was also lowered to $0.30-$0.50 from the initial range of $0.70-$1.00. American Airlines warned of a larger first-quarter loss due to decreased leisure travel demand and the impact of a fatal crash. Southwest Airlines revised its unit revenue guidance downward, citing factors such as a higher-than-anticipated completion factor and reduced government travel. Additionally, Southwest announced it will start charging passengers for certain checked luggage, ending its longstanding free-bag policy. Analysts and investors are closely monitoring these developments, as they reflect broader economic concerns impacting the travel sector.

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