Between SkyWest and Delta Air Lines, Which Stock Looks Set to Break Out?
Delta Air Lines fell -13% during the past Week. You may be tempted to buy more, or may want to reduce your exposure. But there is an entirely different perspective you might be missing. Is there a better alternative? Turns out, its peer SkyWest gives you more. SkyWest (SKYW) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Delta Air Lines (DAL) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in SKYW
- SKYW’s quarterly revenue growth was 8.5%, vs. DAL’s 2.9%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 15.0%, ahead of DAL’s 2.8%.
- SKYW leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 15.2% and 3-year average of 10.9%.
These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The table highlights how DAL’s fundamentals stack up against those of SKYW on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| DAL | SKYW | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 6.8 | 6.2 | SKYW |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 2.9% | 8.5% | SKYW |
| Last 12 Months | 2.8% | 15.0% | SKYW |
| Last 3 Year Average | 7.9% | 11.0% | SKYW |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 9.2% | 15.2% | SKYW |
| Last 3 Year Average | 9.5% | 10.9% | SKYW |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 62.7% | 357.8% | DAL |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: DAL Revenue Comparison | SKYW Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: DAL Operating Income Comparison | SKYW Operating Income Comparison
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See detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell SKYW Stock and Buy or Sell DAL Stock. Below we compare market return and related metrics across years.
Historical Market Performance
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| DAL Return | -3% | -16% | 23% | 52% | 16% | -8% | 64% | ||
| SKYW Return | -3% | -58% | 216% | 92% | 0% | -0% | 149% | <=== | |
| S&P 500 Return | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 0% | 83% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| DAL Win Rate | 50% | 50% | 42% | 58% | 67% | 0% | 44% | ||
| SKYW Win Rate | 33% | 42% | 83% | 75% | 58% | 33% | 54% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 67% | 33% | 60% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| DAL Max Drawdown | -17% | -28% | -6% | -8% | -41% | -8% | -18% | ||
| SKYW Max Drawdown | -8% | -62% | -0% | -6% | -21% | -4% | -17% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -1% | -7% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] 2026 data is for the year up to 3/5/2026 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read SKYW Dip Buyer Analyses and DAL Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.
Still not sure about DAL or SKYW? Consider portfolio approach.
Portfolios Are The Smarter Way To Invest
Single stocks swing wildly but staying invested matters. A well built portfolio helps you stay invested, captures upside and softens the blows from individual stocks.
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? HQ Portfolio has posted more than 105% in cumulative return since inception, with less risk versus the benchmark index, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.