Stock Traders Buy Large Volume of Call Options on Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL)

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) saw unusually large options trading on Friday. Traders purchased 39,720 call options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 34% compared to the average daily volume of 29,613 call options.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on DAL shares. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Delta Air Lines from $105.00 to $100.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. Seaport Research Partners lowered their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $108.00 to $95.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $106.00 to $100.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Argus set a $105.00 target price on Delta Air Lines in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price target on Delta Air Lines from $93.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. Twenty-three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $99.01.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Steven Sear sold 40,460 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.55, for a total value of $3,785,033.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 104,404 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $9,766,994.20. This represents a 27.93% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Michael Huerta sold 3,100 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.11, for a total value of $291,741.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 32,525 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,060,927.75. This represents a 8.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 356,726 shares of company stock valued at $33,081,037. 0.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Delta Air Lines

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 16.1% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 25,592 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $2,193,000 after buying an additional 3,541 shares during the last quarter. Titleist Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines in the 3rd quarter valued at $387,000. Apella Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 32.0% in the 3rd quarter. Apella Capital LLC now owns 5,949 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $494,000 after buying an additional 1,442 shares during the last quarter. Everhart Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 12.5% in the 3rd quarter. Everhart Financial Group Inc. now owns 16,358 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,469,000 after buying an additional 1,822 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC raised its stake in Delta Air Lines by 9.0% during the 3rd quarter. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC now owns 3,680 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $307,000 after acquiring an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. 69.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Delta Air Lines Stock Down 1.8%

Shares of NYSE:DAL traded down $1.44 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $80.70. The stock had a trading volume of 4,652,399 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,592,307. Delta Air Lines has a 1 year low of $55.03 and a 1 year high of $95.68. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $83.61 and its 200-day moving average is $79.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.38, a P/E/G ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a current ratio of 0.42.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 9th. The transportation company reported $1.72 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.77 by ($0.05). Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 17.52% and a net margin of 5.79%.The firm had revenue of $17.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.65 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.71 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 21.1% on a year-over-year basis. Delta Air Lines has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.150-1.650 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.600 EPS. Research analysts predict that Delta Air Lines will post 5.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Delta Air Lines Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 15th will be issued a $0.2150 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 15th. This represents a $0.86 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Delta Air Lines’s dividend payout ratio is presently 14.26%.

Trending Headlines about Delta Air Lines

Here are the key news stories impacting Delta Air Lines this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Delta said broad travel demand, healthy yields and its premium business remained strong. Third-quarter revenue increased 21.1% year over year to $17.59 billion, while CEO Ed Bastian reported no meaningful cracks in demand and suggested fares could continue rising. Delta Air Lines cuts 2026 forecast on fuel surge, but CEO says demand is still strong
• Positive Sentiment: Management said Delta can absorb approximately $6 billion in additional fuel costs through pricing, operational strength and cost controls. The company also expects about $2.5 billion in 2026 free cash flow and plans to repay more than $2 billion of debt, supporting its balance-sheet recovery. Delta Air Lines Announces September Quarter 2026 Financial Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Many analysts continue to support DAL, with most maintaining Buy ratings despite reducing estimates. That reflects confidence in Delta’s premium strategy and long-term competitive position, although near-term earnings expectations have weakened.
• Neutral Sentiment: Delta is still evaluating whether to launch its planned Riyadh service later this month because of security concerns following attacks near the airport. Management said safety will determine the decision, creating a potential but uncertain route-related impact. Delta CEO: Safety is going to make the call on launching Saudi Arabia flight
• Negative Sentiment: Adjusted third-quarter EPS was $1.72, below the approximately $1.77–$1.80 analyst consensus, while revenue also narrowly lagged estimates. Fuel expense reportedly climbed 62% from a year earlier, squeezing margins despite higher fares and strong demand. Delta Air Lines cuts profit forecast as fuel costs outpace fare gains
• Negative Sentiment: Delta reduced 2026 EPS guidance to $5.10–$5.60, with the midpoint below prior expectations. Fourth-quarter EPS guidance of $1.15–$1.65 and revenue guidance of $17.5 billion also trail consensus estimates, keeping fuel prices and margin pressure as the main risks for DAL investors.

Delta Air Lines Company Profile

Delta Air Lines, Inc is a major U.S. airline that provides scheduled passenger and air freight transportation. The company serves destinations throughout the United States and connects customers to international markets across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada, Africa and the Caribbean through its own operations and regional airline partners.

Delta offers multiple classes of passenger service, including premium cabins and its main cabin, along with travel-related products such as vacation packages and loyalty benefits through the SkyMiles program.