10 Firms Close Shortened Trading Week Higher

2. Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL)

Delta Air (DAL)’s share prices surged by 9.04 percent to finish Friday’s trading at $66.95 each after posting better-than-expected earnings in the fourth quarter of 2024, buoyed by strong demand for travel.

From October to December, Delta Air (DAL) reported $843 million in net income and $15.6 billion in operating revenues. Its adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.85, well above the $1.75 analyst estimates.

“As we move into 2025, we expect strong demand for travel to continue, with consumers increasingly seeking the premium products and experiences that Delta provides,” said Delta Air Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian.

For this year, Delta Air (DAL) said it expects to generate over $4 billion in free cash, or an 18 percent growth from 2024, in the midpoint of its annual target of between $3 billion and $5 billion. Meanwhile, annual adjusted earnings are targeted to settle at $7.35 per share.