Delta Air Lines: A Top Pick with Upside Potential

In a recent move, Morgan Stanley has bestowed its vote of confidence upon Delta Air Lines (DAL), elevating it to a top pick and raising its price target from $77 to $85. This upward adjustment suggests a substantial upside of 77.5% in the stock’s value. But that’s not all; Morgan Stanley has also upped its “bull case valuation” for Delta shares to $110 from $90, highlighting an even more optimistic scenario for investors.

Push into Premium

The rationale behind Morgan Stanley’s bullish stance stems from Delta’s strategic push into premium services. The airline’s proactive efforts to enhance its premium offerings are expected to position it favorably amidst the evolving landscape of airline demand. Analysts at Morgan Stanley draw parallels between Delta’s trajectory and that of Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF), a company that successfully reinvented itself as a premium and relevant specialty retailer, thereby garnering favor from investors.

Unleashing Potential Rewards

According to Morgan Stanley, Delta’s pivot towards premium services is not merely a strategic maneuver but a catalyst for unlocking substantial value. In a hypothetical scenario mirroring Abercrombie’s transformation, where Delta’s valuation doubles to 12-times price-to-earnings from its current less than 6-times, the stock could soar to around $110 compared to its current $47 level. This projection underscores the potential for handsome rewards awaiting investors who seize the opportunity early.

Stronger Post-Pandemic Resilience

Morgan Stanley’s optimism regarding Delta is grounded in the belief that the airline, along with much of the industry, emerged from the pandemic stronger than before. Structural shifts within the industry, coupled with Delta’s internal business adjustments and execution, have fortified its position. Despite surpassing pre-pandemic revenue levels and effectively reinstating pre-pandemic EBIT figures, Delta’s stock still languishes well below its 2014 peak price-to-earnings ratio of around 12x. This disparity presents an enticing opportunity for investors to capitalize on Delta’s undervaluation.

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DAL Technical Analysis

Moving Averages: The 50-period MA is above the 200-period MA, indicating that the short-term momentum is higher than the long-term momentum, suggesting a bullish trend.

Volume: The volume pane indicates the number of shares traded. A spike in volume can correspond to significant price moves, but in this chart, the volume appears consistent and does not show unusual spikes.

Relative Strength Index (RSI): This momentum oscillator measures the speed and change of price movements on a scale from 0 to 100. An RSI above 70 typically indicates that a stock is overbought, while below 30 indicates oversold. The RSI for DAL is around 79.93, which could suggest that the stock is entering overbought territory.

On Balance Volume (OBV): This indicator uses volume flow to predict changes in stock price. The rising OBV line suggests positive volume pressure that can lead to higher prices.

Stochastic RSI: This is a momentum oscillator to determine overbought or oversold conditions. It’s currently indicating a value near 1.000, which is the upper limit and typically signals that the asset is overbought.

Average Directional Index (ADI): This indicator measures the strength of a trend. The ADI is around 34.12, which implies that the current trend is gaining strength and the market is becoming more directional.

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Chaikin Oscillator: This measures the momentum of the Accumulation Distribution Line using the MACD formula. The positive value suggests that there is buying pressure and that the market may continue to rise.

In summary, the technical indicators on DAL’s chart suggest a strong bullish trend, with several indicators signaling that the stock might be overbought. This could mean that DAL might experience a pullback or correction in the near term. However, the strength of the current trend indicated by the ADI might sustain the bullish momentum for a while longer.

In conclusion, Morgan Stanley’s endorsement of Delta Air Lines as a top pick with a revised price target underscores the airline’s potential for substantial growth. With a strategic focus on premium services and a resilient post-pandemic performance, Delta stands poised to reward investors handsomely. As the airline industry continues its recovery journey, Delta’s trajectory presents a compelling investment opportunity for those willing to bet on its upward momentum.

Lance Jepsen
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This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice or a recommendation to buy any security or other financial asset. The content is general in nature and does not reflect any individual’s unique personal circumstances. The above content might not be suitable for your particular circumstances. Before making any financial decisions, you should strongly consider seeking advice from your own financial or investment advisor.

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