Delta Air Lines leads gains in travel stocks as airline sector surges

The Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund ETF (XLI) closed flat this week, while the S&P 500 index rose 0.48%. Delta Air Lines led the gains, with airline stocks advancing. The top 5 gainers included Delta Air Lines, United Airlines Holdings, and American Airlines Group.

Title: Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund ETF (XLI) Flat, Delta Air Lines Leads Airline Stocks

The Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund ETF (XLI) closed flat this week, reflecting a stagnant performance in the industrial sector. Meanwhile, the broader S&P 500 index rose by 0.48%, driven by gains across various sectors, with airline stocks leading the way. Delta Air Lines, United Airlines Holdings, and American Airlines Group were among the top five gainers.

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL), in particular, saw significant gains, with its stock trading up $0.56 on Tuesday to hit $50.56. The transportation company's stock had a trading volume of 10,699,646 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,831,081. The stock's one-year low was $34.74, and the one-year high was $69.98. The company's earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter were $0.46, missing the consensus estimate of $0.84 by ($0.38). Despite the earnings miss, analysts remain optimistic, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $61.42 [2].

The Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund ETF (XLI) seeks to match the performance of the Industrial Select Sector Index, which represents the industrial sector of the S&P 500 Index. The ETF has a 0.08% annual expense ratio and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.36%. It is sponsored by State Street Global Advisors and has amassed assets over $51.15 billion, making it one of the largest ETFs in the sector [1].

Delta Air Lines also recently increased its dividend, with a quarterly dividend of $0.1875, representing a $0.75 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.48%. This increase from the previous quarterly dividend of $0.15 reflects the company's commitment to shareholder value [2].

The flat performance of the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund ETF (XLI) this week suggests a cautious stance from investors in the industrial sector. However, the gains in airline stocks, particularly Delta Air Lines, indicate that some sectors within the broader market continue to attract investor interest. Investors should keep an eye on the latest earnings reports and analyst ratings to make informed investment decisions.

References
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/invest-financial-select-sector-spdr-102007680.html
[2] https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/filing-calamos-advisors-llc-buys-6886-shares-of-delta-air-lines-inc-nysedal-2025-07-05/