Delta's CE sounds optimistic note for 2017; hopes to meet Buffett

Delta Air Lines CE Ed Bastian Thursday sounded an optimistic note for 2017 earnings and said he expects to meet soon with the company's newest and biggest investor, billionaire Warren Buffett. Two months ago Delta announced last year's record-breaking performance, but noted that higher fuel prices and wage costs could weigh on margins during the March quarter before they expand again in the second half of the year. "The numbers are sound ... we are on a good trajectory," Bastian said, forecasting that the company's full year pre-tax income could be around US$6b, roughly matching last year's number. The company paid out $1.1b to employees in profit sharing in February and expects to see a further reduction in its debt load. <br/>