BUZZ-PREVIEW: Delta Air expected to report higher rev in results Fri

** Delta Air Lines DAL.N is expected to post a rise in qtrly rev when it releases results before the bell on Fri

** Analysts on an average expect qrtly rev of $14.18 bln vs $13.66 bln a yr ago, and they expect EPS of $1.75 vs $1.28 in the yr-ago qtr, according to LSEG

** Earlier this week, Jefferies raised its price target on Delta, while Bernstein cut its price target on the stock

** The median 12-mo price target on the stock is $77.50, per LSEG

** Delta's stock closed Wed up 0.4% at $61.42. The NYSE and Nasdaq were closed Thurs to remember the life of former President Jimmy Carter

** Of the 23 analysts who cover Delta, 22 rate it a "strong buy" or "buy," one rates it a "hold" and no analysts rate it a "sell" or "strong sell," based on LSEG data

** Delta on Nov. 20 reaffirmed December qtr financial guidance and said it expects 2025 revenue to grow by a mid single-digit percentage as it strengthens its bet on premium travel

** Airline shares rose sharply in 2024 amid robust travel demand

** DAL was up about 50% in 2024, compared with a 23% gain in S&P 500 last year

(Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch)

((caroline.valetkevitch@thomsonreuters.com))