If you fly Delta it will likely be on an Airbus which is partly manufactured in Mobile, Alabama. According to David Koeing of Reuters, Delta ordered $12.7 billion of planes from Airbus. Originally, Delta was going to buy jets from Bombardier but Boeing challenged the decision; Bombardier signed an agreement for Airbus to buy their division and now Delta continues to buy non Boeing. It could be Chief Executive Ed Bastian has a thing against Boeing although he told investors travel demand remained strong on both domestic and international routes. Mr. Bastian expects 4th quarter revenue for every seat flown one mile to rise about 4% from a year ago. This compared with the projection of 2 to 4% and operating margins will be in the range of 11%.

Boeing said Delta remains a valued customer but the order book is slim. Next year, Boeing will have to do something different to keep Delta as a customer.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, in most industries there are a few large suppliers and if the companies are not dealing with the large suppliers one has to wonder why? As an outsider you can gain some knowledge through the trade association or trade magazines to find out the real reason. As an investor, sometimes it is good the companies seem to be having a fight for it makes all the suppliers better and that can be a good thing for customers.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.