> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bullished.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Delta CEO Ed Bastian Says Domestic Rivals Earn 3% On Invested Capital, Against Delta's 11%
- URL: https://www.bullished.co/delta-ceo-ed-bastian-says-domestic-rivals-earn-3-on-invested-capital-against-deltas-11-bc07eb67/
- Published: 2026-10-09T15:41:05.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-09T15:41:05.000Z
- Description: On the earnings call, Bastian said "you cannot grow your way out of it" as Delta set full-year earnings of $5.10 to $5.60 a share.
- Author: Matteo Parrino
- Tags: Earnings, DAL, Industry: Industrials

[Delta Air Lines](https://www.bullished.co/tag/dal/) CEO Ed Bastian said on the company's September-quarter earnings call that its return on invested capital is 11%, while the rest of the domestic industry sits at 3%. Delta also set full-year earnings guidance of [$5.10 to $5.60 a share](https://skift.com/2026/10/09/delta-air-lines-expects-to-absorb-six-billion-in-fuel-costs/?ref=bullished.co), with fuel costs up roughly $6 billion this year.

Bastian said a clearer view of oil prices in a few months will shape Delta's 2027 capacity plans, and that the industry's fuel-driven capacity decisions will continue next year.

### Sources

- [Delta Air Lines Expects to Absorb $6 Billion Increase in Fuel Costs, Lowers 2026 Profit Outlook](https://skift.com/2026/10/09/delta-air-lines-expects-to-absorb-six-billion-in-fuel-costs/?ref=bullished.co) — skift.com
- [Delta Air Lines (DAL) Q3 2026 earnings](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/09/delta-air-lines-dal-q3-2026-earnings.html?ref=bullished.co) — CNBC
- [Delta reports Q3 earnings miss, cuts guidance as fuel costs surge 62% from year ago](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/article/delta-reports-q3-earnings-miss-cuts-guidance-as-fuel-costs-surge-62-from-year-ago-103121231.html?ref=bullished.co) — Yahoo Finance
- [Delta cuts profit forecast amid US$6 billion fuel-cost surge](https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/company-news/2026/10/09/delta-air-cuts-profit-forecast-as-us6-billion-fuel-cost-surge-outweighs-fare-gains/?ref=bullished.co) — Bloomberg
- [Delta Air Lines Announces September Quarter 2026 Financial Results – Company Announcement - FT.com](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=600-202610090630PR%5FNEWS%5FUSPRX%5F%5F%5F%5FCL67681-1&ref=bullished.co) — Financial Times

### More on Delta Air Lines

- [Delta's Fuel Bill Cut Quarterly Net Income To $756 Million, But Adjusted Earnings Edged Up](https://www.bullished.co/deltas-fuel-bill-cut-quarterly-net-income-to-756-million-but-adjusted-earnings-edged-up-6f73bc25/)

[All Delta Air Lines (DAL) coverage →](https://www.bullished.co/tag/dal/)