UAL vs the Competition: Which Stock Comes Out on Top?
Here is how United Airlines (UAL) stacks up against its peers in size, valuation, growth and margin.
- UAL’s operating margin of 9.7% is modest, and higher than most peers – though lower than CPA (22.1%).
- UAL’s revenue growth of 5.3% in the last 12 months is moderate, outpacing DAL, CPA but lagging SRFM, AL, ALK.
- UAL gained 143.6% in the past year and trades at a PE of 8.0, outperforming its peers.
As a quick background, United Airlines provides air transportation and cargo services globally, along with catering, ground handling, training, and maintenance services for third parties.
| UAL | DAL | SRFM | CPA | AL | ALK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Cap ($ Bil) | 29.3 | 34.5 | 0.0 | 4.9 | 6.2 | 6.1 |
| Revenue ($ Bil) | 57.7 | 61.9 | 0.1 | 3.5 | 2.9 | 13.4 |
| PE Ratio | 8.0 | 9.4 | -0.6 | 7.6 | 6.3 | 19.4 |
| LTM Revenue Growth | 5.3% | 4.9% | 31.2% | -0.5% | 6.2% | 27.8% |
| LTM Operating Margin | 9.7% | 9.6% | -39.5% | 22.1% | 21.2% | 6.0% |
| LTM FCF Margin | 8.4% | 4.6% | -64.6% | 29.1% | -105.5% | -0.1% |
| 12M Market Return | 143.6% | 51.4% | 112.2% | 48.1% | 38.9% | 62.5% |
Why does this matter? UAL just went up 12.3% in a week – peer comparison puts stock performance, valuation, and financials in context – highlighting whether it is truly outperforming, lagging behind, and above all – can this continue? Read Buy or Sell UAL Stock to see if United Airlines holds up as a quality investment. Furthermore, there is always a risk of fall after a strong rally – see how the stock has dipped and recovered in the past through UAL Dip Buyer Analysis lens.
While peer comparison is critical Trefis High Quality Portfolio evaluates much more, and is designed to reduce stock-specific risks while giving upside exposure.
- How Will United Airlines Stock React To Its Upcoming Earnings?
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- How To Trade United Airlines Stock Ahead of Its Upcoming Earnings?
Revenue Growth Comparison
| LTM | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAL | 5.3% | 6.2% | 19.5% | 82.5% |
| DAL | 4.9% | 6.2% | 14.8% | 69.2% |
| SRFM | 31.2% | 97.4% | 198.4% | 71.8% |
| CPA | -0.5% | -0.3% | 16.6% | 96.4% |
| AL | 6.2% | 1.8% | 15.9% | 11.0% |
| ALK | 27.8% | 12.6% | 8.1% | 56.2% |
Operating Margin Comparison
| LTM | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAL | 9.7% | 9.1% | 9.6% | 5.5% |
| DAL | 9.6% | 9.7% | 9.5% | 7.2% |
| SRFM | -39.5% | -50.5% | -226.0% | -251.1% |
| CPA | 22.1% | 21.8% | 23.4% | 15.2% |
| AL | 21.2% | 21.5% | 27.6% | 29.6% |
| ALK | 6.0% | 7.8% | 8.0% | 6.7% |
PE Ratio Comparison
| LTM | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAL | 7.1 | 10.1 | 5.2 | 16.7 |
| DAL | 8.7 | 11.2 | 5.6 | 15.9 |
| SRFM | -0.8 | -0.9 | -0.5 | -0.0 |
| CPA | 7.1 | 6.0 | 8.3 | 9.7 |
| AL | 6.7 | 12.5 | 7.6 | -44.2 |
| ALK | 18.8 | 20.7 | 21.2 | 93.8 |
The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a collection of 30 stocks, has a track record of comfortably outperforming its benchmark that includes all 3 – the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.