Delta Tops Expectations After great Holiday Season

(Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N) reported better-than-expected profit for the fourth quarter on Thursday after more people flew during the holiday season, offsetting higher costs. 2 U.S. carrier also forecast total unit revenue, a closely watched performance metric, to increase 2.5-4.5 percent in the first quarter of 2018. Delta’s shares rose 3.7 percent to $57.90 in premarket trading. Delta’s net income dipped to $572 million, or 80 cents per share, in the quarter ended Dec. 31, from $622 million, or 84 cents per share, a year earlier.