Delta posts mixed results

Delta Air Lines posted a $659 million profit for 2014, a figure weighed down by bets on fuel that took a hit when oil prices declined.

With the biggest impact from the decline in fuel prices coming later in the year, Atlanta-based Delta reported a $712 million loss for the fourth quarter.

But the airline said excluding those fuel-related charges and other special items, it had $4.5 billion in pre-tax income for the year and $1 billion in pre-tax income for the fourth quarter. Its operating revenue grew 7 percent in 2014 compared with the previous year.