Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL - Free Report) is scheduled to report third-quarter 2017 results on Oct 11, before the market opens.

This Atlanta, GA-based carrier’s second-quarter earnings of $1.64 per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.66. However, earnings climbed 11.56% on a year-over-year basis on the back of a 3.3% operating revenue growth. Meanwhile, quarterly operating revenues of $10.79 billion fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

In fact, the carrier may be in for a disappointment in the third quarter too. The negative sentiment surrounding the stock can be gauged from the fact that the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the third quarter has decreased in excess of 14% over the last three months.

Owing to multiple headwinds, the stock has struggled so far this year, underperforming the Zacks Transportation-Airline industry on a year-to-date basis. The stock has gained 5.7%, whereas the industry has rallied 15.2%.

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Our proven model too does not show conclusively that Delta Air Lines will beat earnings in third-quarter 2017. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. However, that is not the case as highlighted below.

Zacks ESP: The Earnings ESP for Delta Air Lines is 0.00% as both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate are pegged at $1.54 per share. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: Delta Air Lines carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).

In fact, Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 or 5) should never be considered going into an earnings announcement, especially when it is witnessing negative estimate revisions like Delta Air Lines is.

Factors Likely at Play

We expect Delta Air Lines’ third-quarter results to be hurt by the back-to-back hurricanes which resulted in the carrier cancelling multiple flights. Delta Air Lines expects passenger unit revenues to increase approximately 2% in third-quarter 2017 on a year-over-year basis. The guidance includes a negative impact of Irma to the tune of 1 point. Operating margin for the third quarter is projected between 15.5% and 16.5%; Hurricane Irma is likely to impact the metric to the tune of approximately 120 million.

It is not only Delta Air Lines whose third-quarter results are likely to be impacted by the natural calamities. Results of other carriers like United Continental Holdings (UAL - Free Report) and American Airlines Group (AAL - Free Report) are also likely to be hurt by the events.

High fuel costs are also expected to limit earnings growth in the quarter. Fuel price per gallon in third-quarter 2017 is expected between $1.68 and $1.73. With the company inking multiple labor deals, labor costs have spiked. High labor costs have been hurting the company for quite some time and the third quarter is likely to be no different.

We are, however, appreciative of the company's efforts to enhance shareholders’ wealth through dividends and share buybacks.

Delta Air Lines, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

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A Transportation Gem

With Delta Air Lines likely to disappoint, investors interested in the airline space may consider Hawaiian Holdings (HA - Free Report) as our model shows that this company possesses the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in its upcoming release.