DAL’s 15% Single Month Rise Brings Valuations Into Focus – Is CPA a Better Deal?
Copa (CPA) offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Delta Air Lines (DAL), suggesting you may be better off investing in CPA
- CPA’s quarterly revenue growth was 2.8%, vs. DAL’s -0.1%.
- In addition, its Last 3-Year Average revenue growth came in at 16.9%, ahead of DAL’s 14.7%.
- CPA leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 22.1% and 3-year average of 22.4%.
DAL provides scheduled passenger and cargo air transportation domestically and internationally, operating through airline and refinery segments with core hubs in key U.S. cities. CPA provides passenger and cargo airline services with 204 daily flights to 69 destinations across 29 countries in the Americas, operating a fleet of 91 aircraft.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| DAL | CPA | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 6.9 | 6.3 | CPA |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | -0.1% | 2.8% | CPA |
| Last 12 Months | 3.0% | -0.5% | DAL |
| Last 3 Year Average | 14.7% | 16.9% | CPA |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 9.3% | 22.1% | CPA |
| Last 3 Year Average | 9.5% | 22.4% | CPA |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 97.0% | 85.2% | 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 | CPA Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: DAL Operating Income Comparison | CPA Operating Income Comparison
But do these numbers tell the full story? Read Buy or Sell CPA Stock to see if Copa’s edge holds up under the hood or if Delta Air Lines still has cards to play (see Buy or Sell DAL Stock).
- S&P 500 Movers | Winners: ALB, KVUE, DAL | Losers: DELL, PHM, DHI
- Buy or Sell Delta Air Lines Stock Ahead of Its Upcoming Earnings?
- Better Bet Than Delta Air Lines Stock: Pay Less To Get More From UAL
- DAL Surges 16% In A Single Month, Time To Buy The Stock?
- Better Bet Than Delta Air Lines Stock: Pay Less To Get More From UAL
- As DAL Surges 16% in a Month, SNCY’s Story Stands Out
That is one way to look at stocks. Trefis High Quality Portfolio evaluates much more, and is designed to reduce stock-specific risk while giving upside exposure
Historical Market Performance
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| DAL Return | -31% | -3% | -16% | 23% | 52% | 3% | 8% | ||
| CPA Return | -28% | 7% | 1% | 32% | -12% | 37% | 28% | ||
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 10% | 101% | <=== | |
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| DAL Win Rate | 33% | 50% | 50% | 42% | 58% | 62% | 49% | ||
| CPA Win Rate | 25% | 50% | 50% | 58% | 50% | 75% | 51% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 62% | 63% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| DAL Max Drawdown | -67% | -17% | -28% | -6% | -8% | -41% | -28% | ||
| CPA Max Drawdown | -74% | -14% | -33% | -2% | -21% | -4% | -25% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -12% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year up to 9/8/2025 (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 CPA Dip Buyer Analyses and DAL Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.