10 Stocks are Flying Past Expectations; Airlines Take Center Stage

5. Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL)

Delta Air extended its winning streak to a third straight day on Thursday, jumping 11.99 percent to close at $56.78 apiece as investors cheered its impressive earnings performance in the second quarter of the year.

During the period, Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) recorded a 63-percent increase in net income to $2.13 billion from $1.3 billion in the same period last year, despite operating revenues ending flat at $16.6 billion.

“Through the quarter, demand trends stabilized at levels that are flat to last year, and we continued to see resilience in our diverse, high-margin revenue streams,” Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) President Glen Hauenstein said.

Going into the third quarter, the company expects revenues to either remain unchanged or grow by up to 4 percent year-on-year.

It also announced a 25-percent increase to its quarterly dividends, which would entitle shareholders to receive $0.1875 dividends per share, versus the $0.15 previously. The higher dividend payments are set to begin in September this year.