Investors Purchase Large Volume of Delta Air Lines Call Options (NYSE:DAL)

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) saw unusually large options trading on Wednesday. Stock traders bought 83,514 call options on the company. This represents an increase of 53% compared to the average volume of 54,630 call options.

Delta Air Lines Trading Up 0.6 %

Delta Air Lines stock traded up $0.41 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $64.46. The stock had a trading volume of 8,428,933 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,406,377. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a current ratio of 0.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $41.59 billion, a PE ratio of 8.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.33. Delta Air Lines has a twelve month low of $34.87 and a twelve month high of $65.74. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $51.72 and its 200 day simple moving average is $48.40.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 10th. The transportation company reported $1.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.52 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $15.68 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.65 billion. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 29.93% and a net margin of 7.71%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.03 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Delta Air Lines will post 6.07 EPS for the current year.

Delta Air Lines Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 10th were paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.93%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 10th. Delta Air Lines’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 8.33%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

DAL has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. TD Cowen boosted their price target on Delta Air Lines from $59.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday. Bank of America boosted their target price on Delta Air Lines from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, October 11th. Susquehanna upped their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $50.00 to $59.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Delta Air Lines from $58.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $52.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $67.73.

Insider Transactions at Delta Air Lines

In other Delta Air Lines news, SVP William C. Carroll sold 21,530 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.62, for a total transaction of $1,305,148.60. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 19,756 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,197,608.72. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, SVP William C. Carroll sold 21,530 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.62, for a total value of $1,305,148.60. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 19,756 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,197,608.72. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Allison C. Ausband sold 7,510 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.62, for a total value of $470,276.20. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 58,897 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,688,130.14. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 140,240 shares of company stock worth $8,044,893 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.96% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Delta Air Lines

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC acquired a new position in Delta Air Lines in the third quarter worth about $25,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new position in Delta Air Lines in the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Kimelman & Baird LLC bought a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines during the second quarter worth $31,000. Unique Wealth Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Delta Air Lines during the second quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Quarry LP acquired a new stake in shares of Delta Air Lines during the second quarter worth $41,000. 69.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Delta Air Lines Company Profile

Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo.