Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL)

Delta’s goodwill and identifiable intangible assets relate to the airline segment. Delta applies a fair value-based impairment test to the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis (as of October 1) and, if certain events or circumstances indicate that an impairment loss may have been incurred, on an interim basis. Delta assesses the value of the goodwill and indefinite-lived assets under either a qualitative or quantitative approach. Under a qualitative approach, Delta considers various market factors, including the key assumptions listed below. Delta analyzes these factors to determine if events and circumstances have affected the fair value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. If Delta determines that it is more likely than not that the asset may be impaired, Delta uses the quantitative approach to assess the asset’s fair value and the amount of the impairment. Under a quantitative approach, Delta calculates the fair value of the asset using the key assumptions listed below.

Delta values goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets primarily using market capitalization and income approach valuation techniques. These measurements include the following key assumptions: (1) forecasted revenues, expenses and cash flows, (2) terminal period revenue growth and cash flows, (3) an estimated weighted average cost of capital, (4) assumed discount rates depending on the asset and (5) a tax rate. These assumptions are consistent with those that hypothetical market participants would use. Because Delta is required to make estimates and assumptions when evaluating goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, actual transaction amounts may differ materially from these estimates.

Changes in certain events and circumstances could result in impairment or a change from indefinite-lived to definite-lived. Factors which could cause impairment include, but are not limited to, (1) negative trends in Delta’s market capitalization, (2) reduced profitability resulting from lower passenger mile yields or higher input costs (primarily related to fuel and employees), (3) lower passenger demand as a result of weakened U.S. and global economies, (4) interruption to Delta’s operations due to a prolonged employee strike, terrorist attack or other reasons, (5) changes to the regulatory environment (e.g., diminished slot access or additional Open Skies agreements), (6) competitive changes by other airlines and (7) strategic changes to Delta’s operations leading to diminished utilization of the intangible assets.

Goodwill

When Delta evaluates goodwill for impairment using a quantitative approach, Delta estimates the fair value of the reporting unit by considering both market capitalization and projected discounted future cash flows (an income approach). If the reporting unit’s fair value exceeds its carrying value, no further testing is required. If it does not, Delta recognizes an impairment charge if the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its estimated fair value.

Identifiable Intangible Assets

Indefinite-lived assets are not amortized and consist of routes, slots, the Delta tradename and assets related to SkyTeam and collaborative arrangements. Definite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of marketing and maintenance service agreements and are amortized on a straight-line basis or under the undiscounted cash flows method over the estimated economic life of the respective agreements. Costs incurred to renew or extend the term of an intangible asset are expensed as incurred.

Delta assesses the indefinite-lived assets under a qualitative or quantitative approach. Delta analyzes market factors to determine if events and circumstances have affected the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets. If Delta determines that it is more likely than not that the asset value may be impaired, Delta uses the quantitative approach to assess the asset’s fair value and the amount of the impairment. Delta performs the quantitative impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets by comparing the asset’s fair value to its carrying value. Fair value is estimated based on (1) recent market transactions, where available, (2) the royalty method for the Delta tradename (which assumes hypothetical royalties generated from using the tradename) or (3) projected discounted future cash flows (an income approach). Delta recognizes an impairment charge if the asset’s carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value.

Source: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-15).

Delta Air Lines Inc., balance sheet: goodwill and intangible assets

US$ in millions

		Dec 31, 2018		Dec 31, 2017		Dec 31, 2016		Dec 31, 2015		Dec 31, 2014
	International routes and slots
	Delta tradename
	SkyTeam-related assets
	Domestic slots
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets
	Marketing agreements
	Contracts
	Other
	Definite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying value
	Accumulated amortization
	Definite-lived intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
	Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
	Goodwill
	Intangible assets and goodwill

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-23), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-13), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-05), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-11).

Delta Air Lines Inc., adjustments to financial data

US$ in millions

		Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017	Dec 31, 2016	Dec 31, 2015	Dec 31, 2014
	Adjustment to Total Assets
	Total assets (as reported)
	Less: Goodwill
	Total assets (adjusted)
	Adjustment to Stockholders’ Equity
	Stockholders’ equity (as reported)
	Less: Goodwill
	Stockholders’ equity (adjusted)

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-23), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-13), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-05), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-11).

Delta Air Lines Inc., Financial Data: Reported vs. Adjusted

Delta Air Lines Inc., adjusted ratios

		Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017	Dec 31, 2016	Dec 31, 2015	Dec 31, 2014
	Total Asset Turnover
	Reported total asset turnover
	Adjusted total asset turnover
	Financial Leverage
	Reported financial leverage
	Adjusted financial leverage
	Return on Equity (ROE)
	Reported ROE
	Adjusted ROE
	Return on Assets (ROA)
	Reported ROA
	Adjusted ROA

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-23), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-13), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-05), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-11).

Delta Air Lines Inc., Ratios: Reported vs. Adjusted

		Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017	Dec 31, 2016	Dec 31, 2015	Dec 31, 2014
	As Reported
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Operating revenue
	Total assets
	Ratio
	Total asset turnover1
	Adjusted for Goodwill
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Operating revenue
	Adjusted total assets
	Ratio
	Adjusted total asset turnover2

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-23), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-13), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-05), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-11).

2018 Calculations

		Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017	Dec 31, 2016	Dec 31, 2015	Dec 31, 2014
	As Reported
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Total assets
	Stockholders’ equity
	Ratio
	Financial leverage1
	Adjusted for Goodwill
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Adjusted total assets
	Adjusted stockholders’ equity
	Ratio
	Adjusted financial leverage2

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-23), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-13), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-05), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-11).

2018 Calculations

		Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017	Dec 31, 2016	Dec 31, 2015	Dec 31, 2014
	As Reported
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Net income
	Stockholders’ equity
	Ratio
	ROE1
	Adjusted for Goodwill
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Net income
	Adjusted stockholders’ equity
	Ratio
	Adjusted ROE2

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-23), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-13), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-05), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-11).

2018 Calculations

		Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017	Dec 31, 2016	Dec 31, 2015	Dec 31, 2014
	As Reported
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Net income
	Total assets
	Ratio
	ROA1
	Adjusted for Goodwill
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Net income
	Adjusted total assets
	Ratio
	Adjusted ROA2

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-23), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-13), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-05), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-11).

2018 Calculations