October 9, 2026

Delta Cuts Earnings Outlook Amid Soaring Fuel Costs

Delta Cuts Earnings Outlook Amid Soaring Fuel Costs

Delta Air Lines slashes full-year earnings forecast due to rising jet fuel prices, impacting its profit margins.

Delta Air Lines shares dropped by 3.5% as the carrier revised its earnings outlook, citing increased jet fuel costs as a key factor. The company now expects adjusted earnings of $5.10 to $5.60 per share for the year, down from its previous forecast of $6.50 to $7.50. This adjustment aligns with the Bloomberg Consensus estimate of $5.44. Delta's third-quarter adjusted earnings came in at $1.72 per share, slightly below the expected $1.82. Despite this, adjusted revenue rose 16% to $17.6 billion, matching expectations.

Impact
The earnings cut signals continued pressure on airline profits, with smaller carriers likely facing even greater challenges without in-house refining capabilities.