Delta posts strong earnings as fuel prices fall

ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines is reporting better-than-expected profits for the third quarter as fuel prices fall.

Adjusted fuel expenses fell 10% during the three month reporting period.

Net income rose more than 13% to $1.5 billion, or $2.31 per share. Adjusted per-share earnings were $2.32, a nickel better than Wall Street projections, according to a survey by Zacks Investment Research.

The airline, based in Atlanta, reported record revenue of $12.56 billion in the quarter, though that was just shy of expectations.

Shares of Delta Air Lines Inc. rose about 2% before the opening bell Thursday.