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Just For You Delta Hit Turbulence in Q4—Now Comes the OpportunityWritten by Thomas Hughes. Originally Published: 1/14/2026. 
Key Takeaways - Delta shares dropped after the company reported Q4 earnings, despite posting a record free cash flow and providing strong full-year guidance, creating a potential buying opportunity.
- The airline is reducing debt, expanding its premium fleet, and positioning for long-term margin growth supported by favorable macro trends.
- Analysts remain bullish with 100% Buy ratings, citing strong fundamentals and upside potential to new highs in 2026.
Delta Air Lines' (NYSE: DAL) stock price fell after its Q4 fiscal year 2025 earnings release, creating what looks like a buying opportunity. The decline presents an entry point because the guidance—viewed as cautious by analysts—still calls for sustained growth, acceleration, and margin strength, which supports robust capital returns. Delta posted record results—including strong free cash flow—and projects continued momentum. The tepid guidance and the volatility it triggered appear to be near-term turbulence; the uptrend that began in 2025 remains intact, and fresh highs are likely in 2026. Delta’s Record Quarter Drives Record Cash Flow and Debt Reduction Warren Buffett is sitting on $344 billion, the biggest cash position of his career. Meanwhile, CEOs behind America's most powerful tech companies are selling billions in shares even as Wall Street tells everyday investors to buy the AI dip. After 46 years tracking institutional money flows, one pattern stands out: money is leaving crowded AI trades and flooding into an ignored corner of the market. The reason is power. A single AI data center uses as much electricity as a small city, and the grid can't handle what's coming. Institutions are quietly loading up on companies upgrading America's power backbone. See the stocks flagged to lead the next leg of this market. Delta delivered a strong quarter: revenue grew 1.2%, outperforming estimates by roughly 200 basis points and supported by margin strength. The company reported expected softness in domestic markets tied to the government shutdown, which was largely offset by strength in other categories. International, consumer, loyalty, and business segments stand out and are expected to underpin growth in 2026. The margin picture is mixed. Delta preserved operational quality despite higher costs and softer fares, and while earnings missed some analyst estimates, adjusted EPS of $1.55 met company guidance and matched last year's result—supporting ongoing balance-sheet improvements and dividend payments. Guidance is constructive, if a bit more conservative than some analysts had hoped. Management forecasts 5% to 7% revenue growth in Q1 2026 with margin expansion. The company is guiding to roughly 20% full-year adjusted EPS growth, which some may view as cautious given current trends. Oil prices are expected to remain subdued, and fiscal and monetary tailwinds should help drive demand across segments, including Delta's higher-margin premium offerings. Delta Reduces Debt and Pays Investors: Distribution Increase is Expected Record operating and free cash flow allowed Delta to pay down debt, reducing its leverage ratio to just over 2.0x and putting it on track to reach long-term targets within a few quarters. That cash flow also supports dividend payments that annualize to about 1.05% as of mid-January and improves the outlook for further distribution increases. Management is aiming to restore payouts to pre-COVID-19 levels, a move that would double the dividend and add roughly 100 basis points to yield. Analysts noted some concern about relatively subdued earnings growth in 2026, but they moved past it quickly. The modest near-term growth reflects increased investment—most notably the order for up to 60 Boeing 787 Dreamliners—to modernize and grow the widebody fleet. That fleet refresh is viewed as a catalyst that should support expansion of higher-margin services and stronger earnings in later years. All 24 analysts tracked by MarketBeat rate the stock a Buy, and upward price-target revisions point to an above-consensus target and potential new highs. Delta Air Lines Stock Action at Turning Point Delta's stock is consolidating in January and setting up for its next move. While higher prices are likely over time thanks to earnings growth, cash flow, and capital returns, the stock could pull back to around $65 or lower before resuming an uptrend. Near-term support sits near $67.50—aligned with prior highs—and could serve as the springboard to fresh highs. 
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