Delta reports profit, confident outlook but punished for missing estimate

Delta Air Lines reported a net profit of USD593 million for the 12-months to 31-Dec-2010, compared with a loss of USD1237 million in 2009. The President of the airline, Ed Bastian, said that the carrier's positive momentum from 2010 should see it maintain its March quarter margins, despite more than USD350 million in extra costs from higher oil prices.