The Atlanta-based carrier said it now expects to earn between $1.65 and $1.75 per share, down from its earlier projection of up to $2 per share.

Its pre-tax margin will now fall somewhere in the 13 percent to 14 percent range, from its prior view of between 14 percent and 16 percent, the carrier said in a Wednesday report.

The airline's shares were down 1.5 percent at $53.83 after earlier falling as low as $52.63, extending about a 5 percent year-to-date loss. The Dow Jones U.S. Airlines Index <.DJUSAR> was down 0.5 percent and off nearly 12 percent for the year.

Delta said jet fuel prices have risen some 50 percent since last year and about 12 percent since the beginning of the quarter.

The rising cost of jet fuel is weighing on earnings across the U.S. sector, cutting into summer profits and prompting air fare increases.

Delta and its competitors are hoping strong demand, higher ticket prices and benefits from reductions in the U.S. corporate tax rate will eventually offset the impact of higher fuel prices. Rival American Airlines cut its profit forecast in April, also citing higher fuel costs.

(Reporting by Alana Wise; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

By Alana Wise