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Delta Air Lines, Inc.
DAL - NYSE - $85.96 (as of ) ▲ +0.53%
-
Earnings Thu 8 Oct
Note: this preview was published before the 2026-10-08 earnings report. Results have since been released — verify against the latest filings.

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) Q3 FY26 earnings preview — archived, published Jul 16, 2026

The median of 19 price targets is $107[FMP target], stock is $86, +24.5% vs the analyst consensus median. Q2 FY26 EPS $2.45 vs $1.49 estimate: beat (+64.4%)[FMP earnings]. Stock move on D+1: -1.8%.

↓ summary below
Quick Take - in 40 seconds ·
B+
Council 3/6 - Historical V1 score 61

B+ — FMP rating [FMP ratings]. Form 4: unavailable[FMP Form 4].

Quick Answer

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) Q3 consensus: revenue $17.6B[FMP est], EPS $2.15[FMP est]. 7 consecutive quarters of beat[FMP earnings].

Detailed analysis below ↓
$2.15 EPS Estimate Last year $1.71 - +26% YoY
7 Beat Streak Expectations beaten consecutively for the last 7 quarters

Q2 FY26 EPS $2.45 vs $1.49 estimate: beat (+64.4%)[FMP]. Stock move on D+1: -1.8%[FMP D+1].

Watchlist

0 metrics stand out this quarter.

Stock Expert AI - Methodology

Do our scoring pillars, 6 perspectives, and Munger lens point in the same direction?

Historical V1 score 61 / 100

Historical V1 earnings-model score (archived, Jul 16, 2026) — not the current MoonshotScore. Current MoonshotScore: DAL stock page

multi-pillar methodology. Revenue Growth and Cash Runway strong. Gross Margin weak.

How is it calculated? ->
Revenue Growth9.0Q2 vs Q3: fast growth (+18.5%)
Gross Margin3.0Q2: average margin (33.5%)
Operating Leverage1.0op margin average (9.4%)
Cash Runway10.0FCF very strong ($2.8B, 2.3x CapEx)
R&D Intensity3.0low R&D investment (0.0%, weak innovation)
Price Momentum7.0RSI 49.7 balanced, 50d above
News Sentiment10.0strong buy consensus (96%)
Council Score 3 / 6 Bullish

6 investor frameworks. 3 bullish (Ray Dalio, Ken Griffin, Buffett), 0 bearish (none), 3 neutral (Jim Simons, Klarman, Munger).

How is it calculated? ->
Ray Dalio macro - target upside +24.5%
Ken Griffin flow - 50d MA above
Jim Simons quant - RSI 50
Klarman value - target upside +24.5%
Buffett quality - ROE score 5/5
Munger valuation - target upside +24.5%
Munger's Mindset character & balance sheet lens
Fairly Valued

Quality business, trading at fair value.

How is it calculated? ->
Financial HealthModerate
Margin of SafetyModerate
Interest CoverageAdequate
ROIC vs WACCHealthy
Technical Levels - Pre-earnings positioning

What levels is the stock being tested at?

RSI(14)
49.7 RSI 49.7 balanced, 50d above
MACD
+5.90 price above 50d - support positive
50d MA
$81 stock 5.9% above - short-term support
200d MA
$69 stock 24.2% above - long-term support
Volume (10d)
-29% decrease - low participation
Resistance
$107
Analyst median target - upgrade trigger if broken
Current
$86
Pre-earnings position
Support
$59
Invalidation - close below this is a technical breakdown
Pattern
Range
$59-$107 band - earnings breakout/breakdown trigger

Past Performance

4 quarters shown.

BEAT
Q3 FY25
$1.71 vs $1.57 est · Next-day price move: -3.5%
BEAT
Q4 FY25
$1.55 vs $1.53 est · Next-day price move: -1.2%
BEAT
Q1 FY26
$0.64 vs $0.58 est · Next-day price move: -0.4%
BEAT
Q2 FY26
$2.45 vs $1.49 est · Next-day price move: -1.8%

Q2 FY26 (July 10, 2026) EPS $2.45 vs $1.49 estimate: beat (+64.4%)[FMP]. Stock move on D+1: -1.8%[FMP D+1].

Three scenarios: what could happen?

EPS < $2.09 (no guidance)

Q2 FY26 EPS $2.45 vs $1.49 estimate: beat (+64.4%)[FMP]. Stock move on D+1: -1.8%[FMP].

Backlog concentration

No RPO/backlog concentration disclosed in Q2 earnings call.

CapEx shock

Q2 CapEx $1.2B[FMP cashflow]. Q2 op margin 9.4%[FMP op margin] - this level in Q1 is sensitive to CapEx revision risk.

Framework - Position discipline

After the data arrives: 3 scenarios, 3 windows

Not advice - a structural framework for earnings night. Decision discipline is yours.

Scenario A - Beat
Q3 EPS > $2.15 + CapEx discipline
Threshold: EPS > $2.15[FMP est].
Target: Break above median target $107[FMP target]; high target $125[FMP] upper bound.
Scenario B - In-Line
EPS approx $2.15 + CapEx < $1.2B
Threshold: EPS approx $2.15[FMP est], Q1 CapEx < $1.2B[FMP].
Target: Consolidation in the band between current $86[FMP] and median $107[FMP].
Scenario C - Miss
EPS < $2.09 or CapEx >= $1.2B
Threshold: EPS < $2.09[FMP estx0.97].
Current price $86 — above SMA200 $69 [FMP].

Market Outlook

What do analysts say? 19 price targets · 27 ratings

Wall Street Consensus
$107
12-month median target price (+24.5% gap to the analyst consensus median)
26
BUY
0
HOLD
1
SELL
Risk Management
$59
Invalidation level - critical support threshold
$81 - 50-day MA (above, +5.9%)
$69 - 200-day MA (above, +24.2%)
IV Crush risk (sudden drop in inflated option premiums before earnings): Option premiums are inflated before earnings.
Verdict - DAL Q3 FY26
B+

You read it in 5 minutes. When the numbers come out on Thursday evening - you know what you're looking at.

Data arrives at night. The framework is ready now.

Data arrives on Thursday evening. The framework is ready on this page: Q3 EPS threshold $2.15[FMP], CapEx threshold "below $1.2B. Two anchors, three scenarios.

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Educational tool, not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Calendar

Catalyst Calendar - 90-day forward look

Oct 8, 2026EARNINGSQ3 FY26 results (after market close) + earnings call
Oct 9, 2026PRICEFirst trading day after earnings - 200dMA test + IV crush
Nov 9, 2026 – Nov 14, 2026FILING10-Q due within 40–45 days of quarter end (by Nov 9, 2026 – Nov 14, 2026); the exact deadline depends on filer status
~Jan 8, 2027EARNINGSQ4 FY26 (next quarter, date not yet scheduled in FMP)

DATA GAP: Events not in the FMP /stable/calendar feed - Investor day, analyst day, product launches, regulatory dates. These require company IR page scraping or manual calendar entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the DAL Q3 FY26 earnings preview cover?

This Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) Q3 FY26 earnings preview covers the analyst consensus, key catalysts, and what to watch on the earnings call.

What should investors watch for in DAL Q3 FY26 earnings?

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL): Consensus EPS, revenue guidance, segment growth rates, and the tone of management commentary — the full breakdown with sources is on this page.

Where do the numbers on this page come from?

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL): Figures are sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) fundamentals and consensus data plus official earnings-call transcripts; derived metrics are labeled with their source next to each figure.

Is this a buy or sell recommendation?

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL): No. This page is educational research, not investment advice. It summarizes analyst consensus and company data; consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision.

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