You’re looking for the delta airlines stock symbol, and it’s about as simple as it gets: DAL. You’ll find it trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), usually vibrating with the rest of the industrial sector.
But honestly, just knowing those three letters doesn't tell you much about why the stock is actually moving. Everyone sees the ticker, but few people look at the engine.
As of mid-January 2026, Delta is in a weird spot. It just wrapped up its centennial year, which is a massive milestone for any company, let alone one that operates giant metal tubes in the sky. The stock is hovering around $70.43, having bounced between a 52-week low of roughly $34 and a high near $73. It's been a wild ride.
Why the DAL Ticker is More Than Just an Airline
If you think Delta is just a company that sells seats, you're missing the most profitable part of the business.
Basically, Delta is a credit card company that happens to fly planes. In 2025, they pulled in billions from their partnership with American Express. It’s actually kind of wild when you look at the numbers—while they sometimes struggle to make a profit on the actual flying part (thanks to high labor and fuel costs), the SkyMiles "remuneration" keeps the lights on.
The Premium Pivot
Delta has spent the last few years trying to distance itself from the "budget" crowd. They want the high-spenders.
- Premium Cabin Revenue: This grew about 7% in the last quarter of 2025.
- Lounge Expansion: They are opening more Sky Clubs because that's where the loyalty (and the money) is.
- Corporate Demand: About 90% of companies recently surveyed said they plan to keep or increase their travel volume in 2026.
What’s Happening Right Now with Delta Airlines Stock Symbol
Right now, the market is having a bit of a lovers' spat with DAL.
On January 13, 2026, the company dropped its latest earnings report. They beat expectations on earnings per share (EPS), coming in at $1.86 for the quarter. But—and this is a big "but"—their revenue outlook for the rest of 2026 was a little more cautious than what Wall Street wanted to hear.
Investors are picky.
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Management is guiding for an EPS of $6.50 to $7.50 for the full year of 2026. If you do the math, that’s about 20% growth year-over-year. That sounds great to a normal person, right? Well, analysts had their hopes up for even more, so the stock took a little dip immediately after the news.
The Cost Problem
One thing that keeps analysts like those at Goldman Sachs and UBS up at night is "CASM." That stands for Cost per Available Seat Mile. It’s basically the price of doing business.
- Fuel is always a wildcard.
- Labor contracts are getting more expensive.
- Maintenance on older planes is a money pit.
Delta is trying to fix this by ordering 30 new Boeing 787-10s, but those won't even start arriving until 2031. It’s a long game.
Is Delta Actually "Cheap" at This Price?
If you look at the P/E ratio, Delta looks like a bargain. It’s trading at roughly 9 times earnings. For context, many tech stocks trade at 30 or 40 times earnings.
But airlines are risky.
They are capital-intensive. They carry a lot of debt. Delta, to its credit, has been aggressively paying down that debt—about $4.8 billion in 2025 alone. They’ve managed to get their gross leverage down to about 2.4x, which is pretty healthy for this industry.
What to Watch for in 2026
If you’re watching the delta airlines stock symbol over the next few months, keep your eyes on the "March Quarter" results.
The company expects revenue to grow 5% to 7% in the first part of the year. If they miss that, expect some turbulence. If they hit it, $80 per share isn't out of the question. Goldman Sachs recently raised their price target to $80, while some ultra-bulls are eyeing $90. On the flip side, the bears think it could drop back to $59 if the economy cools off and people stop booking those expensive international trips.
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Actionable Insights for Investors
- Check the Amex Connection: Watch for American Express earnings reports. If people are spending less on their credit cards, Delta’s loyalty revenue will take a hit.
- Monitor the 52-Week High: DAL is currently trading near the top of its range. Buying at the "ceiling" requires a high conviction that a breakout is coming.
- Diversify the Sector: Don't just look at DAL in a vacuum. Compare it to the JETS ETF or rivals like United (UAL). If the whole sector is down, Delta usually goes with it, regardless of its own performance.
- Dividend Watch: Delta’s dividend yield is currently around 1.06%. It’s not a huge income play, but it’s a sign of stability that many other airlines haven't regained yet.
Investing in an airline is never a smooth flight. But if you’re looking at the delta airlines stock symbol, you’re looking at what is arguably the most well-run carrier in the U.S. right now. Just don't expect it to happen overnight. The "momentum" management talks about is real, but so is the gravity of high operating costs.