Delta misses Q4 expectations, sees unit revenue decline

Delta Tuesday reported Q4 profit slightly below analysts' expectations and forecast that passenger unit revenue will continue to decline in early 2016 amid "international volatility" and currency pressures. Delta said its adjusted profit in Q4 grew 43% to US$926m, or US$1.18 per diluted share. Analysts on average estimated Delta would earn about US$928m, or US$1.19 per diluted share. A precipitous decline in fuel prices has helped Delta's bottom line, but the November attacks in Paris have shaken traveller demand and a strong US dollar has lowered the value of foreign sales in dollar terms. Facing these headwinds, Delta expects passenger unit revenue to drop between 2.5 and 4.5% in Q1. Delta is poised to benefit from strong demand for US domestic travel, he added. It has a limited number of flights to Dallas and Chicago, where competition between other top airlines and smaller, low-cost carriers has pushed down prices.<br/>