Delta reports $363 million fourth quarter loss

ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines is blaming poor economic conditions and lingering fallout from the September eleventh attacks as it reports a $363 million loss for the fourth quarter. <br> <br> The loss reported Thursday is equivalent to $2.98 per share. That&#39;s an improvement from last year&#39;s fourth quarter loss of $734 million -- or $5.98 per share. <br> <br> It&#39;s also better than analysts&#39; expectations. <br> <br> For the year, the nation&#39;s third largest airline lost nearly $1.3 billion. <br> <br> The Atlanta-based carrier&#39;s revenue grew to $3.31 billion -- compared with $2.86 billion during the same period a year ago. <br> <br> Excluding unusual items, Delta says it lost $230 million -- or $1.90 a share. On that basis, Wall Street analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call predicted a loss of $2.27 per share. <br> <br> Shares of Delta are down four cents -- at $12.71 -- in trading Thursday morning on the New York Stock Exchange.