Should I buy Delta Air Lines stock in 2025?

What is Delta Air Lines?

How much is the Delta Air Lines stock?

The price of Delta Air Lines stock is stable this week. As of now, the share trades at $48.50, reflecting a slight 24-hour decrease of -$0.10 (-0.21%) and a weekly change of -0.00%. Delta’s market capitalization stands at $31.73 billion, with a three-month average volume of 13.20 million shares.

Investors in South Africa should note the moderate volatility of DAL, making it appealing for those seeking both potential returns and resilience in the global airline sector.

Our full analysis on Delta Air Lines stock

Having carefully reviewed Delta Air Lines’s most recent financial results and assessed its stock performance over the past three years, our proprietary algorithms combine fundamental indicators, technical signals, market dynamics, and competitive analysis to deliver a holistic view. The insights point to evolving opportunities in a sector known for its cyclical nature and innovation-driven disruption. So, why might Delta Air Lines stock once again become a strategic entry point into the global aviation and transportation sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) currently trades at $48.50, reflecting a moderate year-on-year decline of 3.2% and a more pronounced drawdown from its 52-week high of $69.98. Despite short-term pressures, notably a 16.9% slide over the past month and a 24% decrease over the last six months, it’s crucial to contextualize these moves within a broader industry environment marked by macroeconomic volatility and sector rotation. Several positive developments differentiate Delta, creating the foundation for a recovery narrative:

• Operational Outperformance: In 2024, Delta was ranked the #1 US airline for operational excellence by the Wall Street Journal and awarded the Cirium Platinum rating for punctuality and reliability for the fourth consecutive year.
• Resilient Premium Demand: The carrier has registered a 7% surge in premium cabin revenues against a more moderate main cabin performance, underpinning robust pricing power and steady consumer willingness to spend on higher-margin services.
• Strategic Expansion: New international routes—Atlanta to Marrakech, Austin to Cancun, resumption of JFK-Tel Aviv, and soon LA to Melbourne—significantly increase Delta’s global footprint.

From a South African perspective, these factors resonate with the growing demand for reliable, connected global air travel, particularly as international business, tourism, and intra-continental mobility rebound across the EMEA region. The recovery in travel demand, coupled with Delta’s premium service focus, aligns with favoured consumption patterns observable in the upper-middle to affluent segments of emerging markets such as South Africa.

Technical Analysis

Delta’s chart reveals a compelling technical structure that long-term investors and disciplined traders frequently seek:

• Oscillators: The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 53.64—neutral but close to the threshold where reversal patterns can develop, suggesting neither overbought nor oversold conditions.
• MACD: A current reading of 1.17 hints at a mild selling bias, but it is not at extreme levels, and prior cycles indicate that such phases often precede renewed uptrends as momentum turns.
• Moving Averages: The 20- ($48.32) and 50-day ($44.79) moving averages deliver a bullish signal, with prices trading above both; while longer-term averages (100-day: $53.17; 200-day: $53.41) signal yet-unresolved resistance overhead.
• Support and Resistance: Strong support is observed at $37.30, with resistance near $53.50—establishing a broad consolidation range that, if broken to the upside, could confirm a medium-term turnaround.
• Momentum Structure: With the current neutral technical trend, and buy signals outweighing sell signals among moving averages (8 vs 6), the setup appears primed for an inflection, particularly as catalysts line up for the coming quarters.

Such a configuration benefits investors adopting a systematic approach, as entries near robust support levels offer an attractive risk/reward profile—an especially pertinent consideration for South Africa’s increasingly sophisticated retail and institutional investor base.

Fundamental Analysis

Delving into Delta’s financials unveils a compelling story of resilience and value:

• Revenue and Earnings Growth: Q1 2025 revenues grew 2% year-on-year to $14.04 billion, with adjusted revenues rising 3.3%—a noteworthy achievement considering broader industry softness. Adjusted operating margins improved to 4.6%, and earnings per share (EPS) advanced to $0.46 (adjusted), outperforming consensus estimates by 15%.
• Valuation: With a trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 8.6 and a price/sales (P/S) multiple markedly below key competitors and historical norms, current levels imply an undervaluation. The analyst consensus price target cluster around $59.89–$63.05 (median and calculated +30%, respectively) highlight credible upside potential.
• Profitability and Diversification: Over 60% of Delta’s revenues derive from high-margin, diversified sources—notably its premium offerings and a record $2.0 billion YoY in American Express partnership revenues (+13%). This income stream insulates Delta from purely cyclical swings in basic travel demand.
• Market Share and Strategic Leverage: Delta’s fleet (~1,292 aircraft) and alliance partnerships (SkyTeam, plus joint ventures with Air France–KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and Korean Air) facilitate unchallenged access to strategic routes—an enduring competitive moat.

Delta’s brand reputation, operational leadership (punctuality, awards), and robust expansion reinforce its capacity to set industry standards—a point of differentiation highly prized in the airline business, where reliability and trust drive customer preference and pricing power.

Volume and Liquidity

The investment narrative is further strengthened by Delta’s liquidity and trading profile:

• Volume: With an average three-month trading volume of 13.2 million shares, DAL demonstrates consistent institutional and retail participation, reinforcing market confidence and easy entry/exit for global investors.
• Market Capitalisation and Public Float: A healthy market cap of $31.73 billion and a float of over 650 million shares confirm a deep and liquid market. This robust liquidity underpins stable dynamic valuation, a key requirement for attracting sophisticated global portfolio managers—including those active in emerging markets like South Africa—wishing to tactically allocate to large-cap ex-US equities.
• Dividends and Buybacks: At a 1.24% dividend yield and $0.15 quarterly distribution, Delta offers dependable capital return, further sweetening its investment appeal while rewarding patient holders.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Several forthcoming catalysts present tangible triggers for renewed upside:

• New International Routes: The strategic additions to Marrakech and Melbourne, among others, tap into underpenetrated, fast-growing corridors while responding to increasing global mobility trends.
• Alliances and Partnerships: Investments such as the $550 million WestJet/Korean Air partnership are expected to incrementally lift both volumes and profitability, empowering Delta’s global network effect.
• Technology and ESG Initiatives: Collaborations with Airbus and JetZero aim to roll out next-generation aircraft (improving efficiency and sustainability), positioning Delta as a leader in ESG, now an essential metric for many ZA institutional mandates.
• Premium Focus and Loyalty Programs: The persistently strong performance of the loyalty program and Amex revenue—up 13% YoY—validate the durability of Delta’s high-spend, recurring revenue customer base.
• Financial Guidance: For Q2 2025, management projects revenues ranging from -2% to +2%, an operating margin of 11–14%, and EPS between $1.70 and $2.30—highly credible targets given the company’s past ability to positively surprise.

Delta’s ability to manage capacity flexibly (maintaining 2025 growth plans flat amid uncertainty) signals prudent risk management, providing a stable baseline while upside from global travel normalization remains intact.

Investment Strategies

Investors may wish to consider several tactical positioning approaches for Delta stock as it consolidates above major support levels and prepares for its next potential directional move:

• Short-Term Entries: The current neutral technical structure provides for attractive entry ahead of scheduled catalysts—such as the launch of new international routes and upcoming earnings releases. The logical stop-loss near support ($37.30) allows for well-defined risk management.
• Medium-Term Perspective: With the analyst consensus target 20–30% above current prices, positioning for a medium-term rebound as the airline sector normalizes offers considerable capital appreciation potential. Dividends bolster returns over a typical holding period spanning several quarters.
• Long-Term Allocation: For investors focused on the mega-trend of global mobility, Delta’s entrenched competitive advantages, diversified revenues, innovation drive, and proven execution create a robust long-term opportunity. The cyclical nature of airlines means investing at price troughs—when sentiment is cautious and the valuation is discounted—often supports outperformance over the subsequent three to five years.

A balanced approach, scaling in on weakness or prior to catalysts, provides exposure to both near- and medium-term recovery, as well as Delta’s longer-term strategic ambitions.

Is It the Right Time to Buy Delta Air Lines?

In sum, Delta Air Lines demonstrates several strengths that collectively set the stage for attractive upside:

• A sector-leading operator with a proven playbook for post-pandemic, innovation-led growth.
• Robust and diversified revenue streams, increasingly resilient to economic swings.
• Valuation metrics that appear discounted relative to both historical averages and future earnings potential, supported by upbeat consensus targets (~$59.89–$63.05).
• Visible and tangible growth catalysts in new routes, alliances, and sustainability initiatives.
• Liquidity and market structure favoured by institutional investors and global capital allocators.

While macroeconomic uncertainty and modest business travel headwinds remain, these are well-recognized and appear to be fully baked into current pricing. With technicals improving, strong structural fundamentals, and a clear slate of near-term catalysts, Delta Air Lines seems to represent an excellent opportunity for investors aiming to position ahead of sector recovery and global connectivity trends.

For discerning investors in South Africa and beyond looking for robust recovery stories with credible upside, Delta Air Lines may be entering a new bullish phase. The underlying fundamentals and institutional momentum justify renewed interest, and the ongoing rollout of global routes and strategic initiatives signal that Delta is poised to deliver not just industry resilience but potential outperformance in the year ahead.

In today’s market, Delta Air Lines stands out as a compelling case for serious consideration—offering not only dynamic exposure to the ongoing aviation recovery but also the scale, innovation, and leadership to shape the industry’s future narrative.

How to buy Delta Air Lines stock in South Africa?

Buying Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) shares online has never been simpler or more secure for South African investors. Regulated brokers let you open an account, deposit rands, and buy US-listed stocks—often in just a few steps. You can choose between two main approaches: buying Delta shares for direct ownership ("spot buying"), or trading price movements through Contracts for Difference (CFDs), which allow leverage and short-term speculation. Each method has its own opportunities and risks. To help you choose, you’ll find a broker comparison overview further down the page.

Spot buying

A cash or spot purchase involves buying actual Delta Air Lines shares and becoming a shareholder. With this method, you own the underlying stock and may benefit from dividends and long-term capital appreciation. Fees typically include a fixed commission per trade, often ranging from ZAR 75 to ZAR 150 per order, depending on your broker.

Example

Let’s say the Delta Air Lines share price is $48.50 (about R900 at an exchange rate of 1 USD = 18.55 ZAR). With a $1,000 (roughly R18,550) investment, after a fixed brokerage fee of about $5 (R90), you could buy approximately 20 Delta shares.

Gain scenario

If Delta’s share price rises by 10% to $53.35, your shares are now worth $1,100.
Result: +$100 gross gain, which means a +10% return on your investment (excluding potential exchange rate fluctuations and taxes).

Trading via CFD

CFD trading allows you to speculate on Delta Air Lines’ share price movements without taking ownership of the actual shares. With CFDs, you can use leverage (margin), enabling higher exposure with a smaller upfront investment. Fees typically comprise the spread (the difference between the buy and sell price) and potential overnight financing charges if the position is held open for more than a day.

Example

Suppose you open a CFD position on Delta shares with a $1,000 margin and 5x leverage, giving you $5,000 market exposure.

Gain scenario

If the Delta share price increases by 8%, your position would yield 8% × 5 = 40% return.
Result: +$400 gain on a $1,000 commitment (before spreads and overnight fees).

Final advice

Before investing, it’s essential to compare brokers’ fees, trading platforms, currency exchange costs, and customer support—these can vary widely and impact your returns. Ultimately, your choice between spot buying and CFDs should depend on your financial goals, risk appetite, and trading experience. Both methods offer accessible paths to invest in Delta Air Lines. You’ll find our detailed broker comparison just below to help you make an informed decision.

Our 7 tips for buying Delta Air Lines stock

The latest news about Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines shares have shown remarkable technical resilience in the past week, stabilising after a steep month-long decline. In the last seven days, the stock's price movement was essentially flat, even as it posted a loss of nearly 17% for the month and 24% over six months. Notably, both the 20-day and 50-day moving averages have returned buy signals, and the technical setup is neutral with mild buying momentum. This could indicate an emerging stability zone, providing a favorable entry point for investors, including South African funds seeking exposure to undervalued global airlines listed in the US.

Delta continues to demonstrate operational excellence with new international route expansions and strategic global partnerships, relevant for Africa-focused investors. October 2025 marks the launch of Delta’s Atlanta-Marrakech route, enhancing direct air links between the US and North Africa—a development with clear implications for both business and tourism travel from Southern Africa. Additionally, Delta’s ongoing alliances in the SkyTeam network, especially with Air France-KLM, facilitate easier connections to and from South Africa through established European hubs, potentially boosting demand from the region and supporting future revenue streams.

Recent quarterly results reflected solid financial performance, beating analysts’ consensus and strengthening investor confidence in Delta’s management and growth outlook. In Q1 2025, Delta recorded $14.04 billion in revenue, a 2% increase from the previous year, and outperformed earnings estimates by 15%. Adjusted diluted EPS rose to $0.46. Importantly for investors, Delta’s premium segment grew revenues by 7%, and American Express co-branded card revenues (often relevant for international travelers from South Africa) set a record of $2.0 billion. This highlights the company’s resilience and ability to capture discretionary travel demand—an attractive attribute in an otherwise challenging airline environment.

Delta maintains a robust balance sheet and strong liquidity position, supporting stability and confidence among global institutional investors, including those in emerging markets like South Africa. As of Q1 2025, the company reported $6.8 billion in liquidity, with a disciplined leverage ratio of 2.6x and a manageable net adjusted debt position of $16.9 billion. The dividend yield remains modest but reliable at 1.24%. For South African institutional investors seeking dependable US dividends or portfolio diversification, Delta’s conservative financial posture serves as a valuable risk-mitigation factor.

Analyst sentiment remains moderately positive, with a consensus price target well above current levels, presenting potential upside for South African investors pursuing foreign equity opportunities. Twenty-five analysts cover the stock, with a median price target near $59.89—over 23% above current prices. Positive momentum is supported by recent awards for operational reliability and strong employment practices, which enhance Delta’s reputation as a top-tier employer in the US industry. For South Africans, Delta’s strategic positioning and regular direct services to the region—especially through Johannesburg and its SkyTeam partners—offer both practical connectivity advantages and exposure to a well-managed global aviation leader.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.