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DAL vs LTM
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Delta Air Lines (DAL) vs. LATAM Airlines Group (LTM) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Different geographies, same sector: DAL is a U.S.-based global premium carrier, while LTM is the leading airline group in Latin America, trading as an ADR (American Depositary Receipt).
- Fuel costs are the shared headwind: Both carriers have absorbed sharply higher jet fuel prices in recent quarters, pressuring margins and earnings guidance.
- DAL trimmed its outlook: Delta cut full-year adjusted EPS (earnings per share) guidance while demand and premium revenue remained resilient.
- LTM held up better on guidance: LATAM reinstated and modestly raised its 2026 targets despite a roughly 93% year-over-year fuel-cost jump in its most recent quarter.
- Valuation gap: LTM trades at a lower earnings multiple than DAL, but carries greater emerging-market and currency exposure.
- Relative performance is close: Both stocks have delivered comparable one-year gains, with different catalysts driving each name.
Introduction
Delta Air Lines and LATAM Airlines Group both operate in the commercial aviation industry, yet they serve fundamentally different markets and investor profiles. This stock comparison examines how two major carriers are navigating the same challenging environment of elevated fuel costs, resilient travel demand, and shifting capacity. For traders and investors, the contrast between DAL — a mature U.S. premium airline with a large market capitalization — and LTM — a faster-growing Latin American operator with a smaller valuation — offers a useful lens on relative performance, risk, and market positioning within a single sector.
DAL Overview and Recent Performance
Delta Air Lines is one of the world's largest airlines, with a network centered on the United States and a strategy built around premium cabins, a loyalty program, and diversified revenue streams such as cargo and maintenance services. In recent market activity, DAL has consolidated below its summer highs, trading in the low-$80s after reaching a record near $96 in July.
Sentiment has been shaped largely by the cost side of the business. In its most recent quarterly report, Delta's adjusted fuel expense rose roughly 60% year over year as average fuel prices climbed, and management reduced full-year adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $5.10 to $5.60 from a prior $6.50 to $7.50. Free cash flow guidance was also trimmed. At the same time, demand remained strong: adjusted revenue rose about 16% on broadly flat capacity, premium revenue grew double digits, and diversified revenue streams reached a majority of the total. The result is a stock whose relative performance reflects a tug-of-war between durable demand and margin pressure.
LTM Overview and Recent Performance
LATAM Airlines Group is the leading airline group in Latin America, headquartered in Chile and spanning domestic markets in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, plus international and cargo operations. As an ADR, LTM gives U.S.-listed investors exposure to that regional franchise, which includes a growing premium segment and a large loyalty program.
LATAM's recent performance has been characterized by rapid capacity expansion paired with a significant fuel shock. In its most recent quarter, total revenue grew nearly 28% year over year, but aircraft fuel costs surged about 93% as the all-in average fuel price rose above $190 per barrel. Despite that pressure, the company remained profitable, reinstated and modestly improved its full-year guidance, and announced a share repurchase program. The shares have gained a mid-teens percentage over the past year, and the company's lower valuation and stronger balance-sheet flexibility have drawn analyst upgrades even as currency and demand risks persist.
Trending AI Robots
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The most important contrast between these two airlines is geographic and structural. DAL is a large, mature carrier with a premium mix and a massive U.S. demand base, which supports pricing power but also exposes it to significant fuel-cost sensitivity across a huge fleet. LTM is smaller and faster-growing, with double-digit capacity expansion, but faces currency volatility from the Brazilian real and other local currencies, as well as more variable demand across its regional markets.
On valuation, LTM trades at a notably lower trailing and forward P/E (price-to-earnings) ratio than DAL, reflecting both its higher growth and its higher emerging-market risk. On stability and trend consistency, DAL's diversified premium revenue and dominant U.S. position have historically provided smoother earnings visibility. In terms of recent momentum, both names have delivered comparable one-year returns, but DAL's move has been driven by revenue quality, while LTM's has been driven by growth and a re-rating after analyst upgrades. Risk factors diverge as well: DAL's primary near-term risk is cost and margin compression, whereas LTM faces currency swings, competitive capacity, and regional economic sensitivity on top of the same fuel headwind.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, stability, catalysts, and relative positioning, Tickeron's AI would most likely favor DAL for its more consistent premium revenue trends and diversified demand base, which tend to produce steadier relative performance in a fuel-driven margin squeeze. That said, LTM presents a credible alternative case for a growth- and valuation-oriented screen, given its lower earnings multiple, improving guidance, and share buyback. The probabilistic tilt toward DAL reflects its smoother trend profile rather than any definitive edge, and the balance between these two names will continue to depend on fuel prices, capacity discipline, and regional demand.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is DAL is a StrongBuy and LTM is a StrongBuy.
DAL's Stochastic Oscillator is sitting in oversold zone for 7 days
The price of this ticker is presumed to bounce back soon, since the longer the ticker stays in the oversold zone, the more promptly an uptrend is expected.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where DAL's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, 18 of 27 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 67%.
Following a +4.07% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where DAL advanced for three days, in 224 of 305 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 73%.
DAL may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 249 of 322 cases where DAL Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 77%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 08, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on DAL as a result. In 45 of 72 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 62%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for DAL turned negative on October 12, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 46 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 28 of the 46 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 61%.
DAL moved below its 50-day moving average on October 05, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where DAL declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 69%.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 10 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 42 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 75, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 46 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 48 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. DAL’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 53 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.341) is normal, around the industry mean (1.838). P/E Ratio (12.796) is within average values for comparable stocks, (5.620). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.193) is also within normal values, averaging (2.252). Dividend Yield (0.011) settles around the average of (0.026) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (0.749) is also within normal values, averaging (0.529).
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 85 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
LTM's Stochastic Oscillator sits in oversold zone for 5 days
The price of this ticker is presumed to bounce back soon, since the longer the ticker stays in the oversold zone, the more promptly an uptrend is expected.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
Following a +1.26% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where LTM advanced for three days, in 110 of 145 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 76%.
LTM may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 16, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on LTM as a result. In 28 of 42 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 67%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for LTM turned negative on October 09, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 19 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 13 of the 19 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 68%.
LTM moved below its 50-day moving average on October 07, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where LTM declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 58%.
The Aroon Indicator for LTM entered a downward trend on October 21, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 13 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 31 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 75, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 58 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. LTM’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 69 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 78 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: LTM's P/B Ratio (6.899) is slightly higher than the industry average of (1.838). P/E Ratio (8.889) is within average values for comparable stocks, (5.620). LTM's Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (13.980) is very high in comparison to the industry average of (2.252). Dividend Yield (0.008) settles around the average of (0.026) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (0.908) is also within normal values, averaging (0.529).
DAL | LTM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 75 | 85 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 53 Fair valued | 78 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 42 | 31 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 46 | 13 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 48 | 58 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 10 | 69 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 85 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
DAL's Valuation (53) in the Airlines industry is in the same range as LTM (78). This means that DAL’s stock grew similarly to LTM’s over the last 12 months.
LTM's Profit vs Risk Rating (31) in the Airlines industry is in the same range as DAL (42). This means that LTM’s stock grew similarly to DAL’s over the last 12 months.
LTM's SMR Rating (13) in the Airlines industry is somewhat better than the same rating for DAL (46). This means that LTM’s stock grew somewhat faster than DAL’s over the last 12 months.
DAL's Price Growth Rating (48) in the Airlines industry is in the same range as LTM (58). This means that DAL’s stock grew similarly to LTM’s over the last 12 months.
DAL's P/E Growth Rating (10) in the Airlines industry is somewhat better than the same rating for LTM (69). This means that DAL’s stock grew somewhat faster than LTM’s over the last 12 months.
| DAL | LTM | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 67% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 83% | 1 day ago 84% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 63% | 1 day ago 67% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 61% | 1 day ago 68% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 76% | 1 day ago 82% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 67% | 1 day ago 61% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 73% | 1 day ago 76% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 69% | 9 days ago 58% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 62% | 1 day ago 75% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 77% | 1 day ago 48% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
DAL’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green while LTM’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- DAL’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- LTM’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
DAL’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while LTM’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- DAL’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- LTM’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
DAL (@Airlines) experienced а +1.62% price change this week, while LTM (@Airlines) price change was +1.63% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Airlines industry was +0.23%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -8.54%, and the average quarterly price growth was -5.96%.
Reported Earning Dates
DAL is expected to report earnings on Jan 08, 2027.
LTM is expected to report earnings on Nov 13, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Airlines (+0.23% weekly)Airlines industry comprises passenger air transportation, including scheduled and non-scheduled routes. This can include charter airlines, as well as regular commuter ones. Discount pricing and the rise of low-cost carriers over recent decades have expanded the industry by making its services accessible to a much larger global population, compared to the older days when airline travel was a relative luxury for many people in the world. Delta Air Lines Inc., Southwest Airlines Co and United Continental Holdings, Inc. are some of the airlines with the largest stock market capitalizations in the U.S.
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DAL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, DAL has been closely correlated with UAL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 90% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if DAL jumps, then UAL could also see price increases.
LTM and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, LTM has been closely correlated with CPA. These tickers have moved in lockstep 73% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if LTM jumps, then CPA could also see price increases.