Delta Air Lines Inc.’s quarterly earnings beat on Friday is fueling hope that other major U.S. air carriers will surprise Wall Street with better-than-expected profit snapshot in the next few days. Delta
DAL,
-3.51%
early Friday reported “impressive” fourth-quarter results, with analysts pinning the post-results stock weakness on the rallies in previous sessions and calling the drop a buying opportunity.
Delta’s results “reflect continued pricing power across the industry” as well as good execution on Delta’s part, said Christopher Raite, an analyst at Third Bridge. In essence, people still are willing to pay up for limited seats on aircraft, Raite said. Delta’s per-share quarterly earnings were well above the consensus that had already been revised higher in December. Delta’s first-quarter EPS was slightly below consensus, but Wall Street took heart that the air carrier kept its full-year EPS guidance of $5 to $6 intact. American Airlines, which earlier this week surprised Wall Street with better-than-expected guidance, is slated to report its fourth-quarter earnings before the bell on Jan. 26. Analysts polled by FactSet expect American to report adjusted earnings of 79 cents a share on sales of $12.9 billion. American, like Delta, suffered limited winter-weather service disruptions over the all-important holiday season. United Airlines is scheduled to report fourth-quarter earnings after the bell on Wednesday. Don’t miss: Airlines see strong recovery as global air traffic rises The analysts surveyed by FactSet see United …