As DAL Surges 16% in a Month, SNCY’s Story Stands Out

-0.55%
Downside
67.24
Market
66.87
Trefis
DAL: Delta Air Lines logo
DAL
Delta Air Lines

Sun Country Airlines (SNCY) offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Delta Air Lines (DAL), suggesting you may be better off investing in SNCY

  • SNCY’s quarterly revenue growth was 3.6%, vs. DAL’s -0.1%.
  • In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 3.8%, ahead of DAL’s 3.0%.
  • SNCY leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 10.3% and 3-year average of 10.7%.

DAL provides scheduled passenger and cargo air transportation domestically and internationally, operating through airline and refinery segments with core hubs in key U.S. cities. SNCY provides scheduled passenger, cargo, and charter air transportation services across the U.S., Latin America, and internationally with a fleet of 48 aircraft.

Valuation & Performance Overview

  DAL SNCY Preferred
     
Valuation      
P/EBIT Ratio 7.0 6.2 SNCY
     
Revenue Growth      
Last Quarter -0.1% 3.6% SNCY
Last 12 Months 3.0% 3.8% SNCY
Last 3 Year Average 14.7% 12.1% DAL
     
Operating Margins      
Last 12 Months 9.3% 10.3% SNCY
Last 3 Year Average 9.5% 10.7% SNCY
     
Momentum      
Last 3 Year Return 94.3% -32.6% DAL

Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: DAL Revenue Comparison | SNCY Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: DAL Operating Income Comparison | SNCY Operating Income Comparison
 
But do these numbers tell the full story? Read Buy or Sell SNCY Stock to see if Sun Country Airlines’s edge holds up under the hood or if Delta Air Lines still has cards to play (see Buy or Sell DAL Stock).

Relevant Articles
  1. S&P 500 Movers | Winners: ALB, KVUE, DAL | Losers: DELL, PHM, DHI
  2. Buy or Sell Delta Air Lines Stock Ahead of Its Upcoming Earnings?
  3. Better Bet Than Delta Air Lines Stock: Pay Less To Get More From UAL
  4. DAL’s 15% Single Month Rise Brings Valuations Into Focus – Is CPA a Better Deal?
  5. DAL Surges 16% In A Single Month, Time To Buy The Stock?
  6. Better Bet Than Delta Air Lines Stock: Pay Less To Get More From UAL

That is one way to look at stocks. Trefis High Quality Portfolio evaluates much more, and is designed to reduce stock-specific risk while giving upside exposure

Historical Market Performance

  2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Total [1] Avg Best
Returns
DAL Return -31% -3% -16% 23% 52% 3% 9%  
SNCY Return -42% -1% -7% -10% -54%  
S&P 500 Return 16% 27% -19% 24% 23% 11% 100% <===
Monthly Win Rates [3]
DAL Win Rate 33% 50% 50% 42% 58% 57%   48%  
SNCY Win Rate 22% 42% 50% 67% 43%   37%  
S&P 500 Win Rate 58% 75% 42% 67% 75% 57%   62% <===
Max Drawdowns [4]
DAL Max Drawdown -67% -17% -28% -6% -8% -41%   -28%  
SNCY Max Drawdown -50% -21% -41% -44%   -26%  
S&P 500 Max Drawdown -31% -1% -25% -1% -2% -15%   -12% <===

[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year up to 8/28/2025 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year

 
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read SNCY Dip Buyer Analyses and DAL Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.