Seek Returns logo

AAL vs. SAIA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated

Here’s a clear look at AAL and SAIA, comparing key factors like performance, valuation metrics, dividends, and financial strength. It’s built for investors or anyone curious to see how these two stocks match up.

Company Overview

With AAL at 7.41 billion USD and SAIA at 7.10 billion USD, their market capitalizations sit in the same ballpark.

SAIA carries a higher beta at 2.04, indicating it’s more sensitive to market moves, while AAL remains steadier at 1.32.

SymbolAALSAIA
Company NameAmerican Airlines Group Inc.Saia, Inc.
CountryUSUS
SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
IndustryAirlines, Airports & Air ServicesTrucking
CEOMr. Robert D. Isom Jr.Mr. Frederick J. Holzgrefe III
Price11.24 USD266.58 USD
Market Cap7.41 billion USD7.10 billion USD
Beta1.322.04
ExchangeNASDAQNASDAQ
IPO DateSeptember 27, 2005September 11, 2002
ADRNoNo

Performance Comparison

This chart compares the performance of AAL and SAIA over the past year by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each (starting one year ago).

Hover over the lines to see the investment’s value and total return (%) at specific dates.

Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

Valuation Metrics Comparison

The section examines key financial ratios to assess the valuation of AAL and SAIA based on earnings, cash flow, sales, and book value. Pay attention to the following notable points where extreme values stand out.

  • AAL has a negative P/B ratio of -1.64, indicating its liabilities exceed assets (negative equity). SAIA, with a P/B of 3.02, maintains positive shareholder equity.
  • SAIA reports a negative Price-to-Free Cash Flow ratio of -34.98, showing a cash flow shortfall that could threaten its operational sustainability, while AAL at 2.11 maintains positive cash flow.
SymbolAALSAIA
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM)10.8122.18
Forward PEG Ratio (TTM)0.200.98
Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM)0.142.19
Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM)-1.643.02
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM)2.11-34.98
EV-to-EBITDA (TTM)10.2711.44
EV-to-Sales (TTM)0.802.31
EV-to-Free Cash Flow (TTM)12.27-36.96

Dividend Comparison

Neither AAL nor SAIA currently pays a dividend yield; this often indicates they are reinvesting earnings for growth, prioritizing long-term expansion over immediate cash returns to shareholders.

SymbolAALSAIA
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%0.00%

Financial Strength Metrics Comparison

This section dives into the financial resilience of AAL and SAIA, spotlighting key metrics like liquidity, leverage, and debt coverage. Check out the standout observations below where notable differences or extremes pop up.

  • AAL’s current ratio of 0.52 signals a possible liquidity squeeze, while SAIA at 1.43 comfortably covers its short-term obligations.
  • AAL’s quick ratio of 0.42 suggests it may struggle to cover immediate liabilities without selling inventory or raising cash, whereas SAIA at 1.43 maintains a comfortable buffer of liquid assets.
  • AAL has negative equity (debt-to-equity ratio -8.12), an unusual warning sign, while SAIA at 0.18 maintains a conventional debt-to-equity balance.
SymbolAALSAIA
Current Ratio (TTM)0.521.43
Quick Ratio (TTM)0.421.43
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM)-8.120.18
Debt-to-Assets Ratio (TTM)0.580.12
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)1.2534.28