AAL vs. UAL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AAL and UAL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AAL | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | American Airlines Group Inc. | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Passenger Airlines | Passenger Airlines |
| Market Capitalization | 8.45 billion USD | 32.32 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | September 27, 2005 | February 6, 2006 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AAL and UAL by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AAL | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.16% | 0.71% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 7.93% | 26.99% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -18.68% | -1.04% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 24.15% | 135.75% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 11.40% | 13.06% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -26.56% | 2.82% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 60.62M | 5.22M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 62.18M | 7.44M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 53.18% | 51.60% |
| Beta | 1.40 | 1.51 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AAL
265.62%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 49.96%
- Q3
- 28.15%
- Median
- 15.41%
- Q1
- 8.29%
- Min
- -11.01%
AAL’s Return on Equity of 265.62% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Passenger Airlines industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
UAL
26.43%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 49.96%
- Q3
- 28.15%
- Median
- 15.41%
- Q1
- 8.29%
- Min
- -11.01%
UAL’s Return on Equity of 26.43% is on par with the norm for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AAL
1.05%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 17.65%
- Q3
- 8.90%
- Median
- 5.80%
- Q1
- 2.02%
- Min
- -3.12%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry, AAL’s Net Profit Margin of 1.05% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
UAL
5.71%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 17.65%
- Q3
- 8.90%
- Median
- 5.80%
- Q1
- 2.02%
- Min
- -3.12%
UAL’s Net Profit Margin of 5.71% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Passenger Airlines industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AAL
3.82%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 22.47%
- Q3
- 12.33%
- Median
- 8.62%
- Q1
- 4.43%
- Min
- -2.88%
AAL’s Operating Profit Margin of 3.82% is in the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
UAL
8.62%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 22.47%
- Q3
- 12.33%
- Median
- 8.62%
- Q1
- 4.43%
- Min
- -2.88%
UAL’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.62% is around the midpoint for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AAL | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 265.62% | 26.43% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 0.90% | 4.41% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.05% | 5.71% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.82% | 8.62% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 64.95% | 64.15% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AAL
0.58
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 1.46
- Q3
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.76
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.17
AAL’s Current Ratio of 0.58 aligns with the median group of the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
UAL
0.70
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 1.46
- Q3
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.76
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.17
UAL’s Current Ratio of 0.70 aligns with the median group of the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AAL
157.71
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 9.80
- Q3
- 4.82
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 0.89
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 157.71, AAL operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Passenger Airlines industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
UAL
2.02
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 9.80
- Q3
- 4.82
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 0.89
- Min
- 0.00
UAL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.02 is typical for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AAL
1.75
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 22.60
- Q3
- 16.29
- Median
- 6.75
- Q1
- 1.94
- Min
- -8.55
In the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry, AAL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.75 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
UAL
5.76
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 22.60
- Q3
- 16.29
- Median
- 6.75
- Q1
- 1.94
- Min
- -8.55
UAL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.76 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AAL | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.58 | 0.70 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.44 | 0.62 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 157.71 | 2.02 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 1.75 | 5.76 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AAL
0.00%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 6.71%
- Q3
- 3.95%
- Median
- 1.10%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AAL currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
UAL
0.00%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 6.71%
- Q3
- 3.95%
- Median
- 1.10%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UAL currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AAL
0.00%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 71.59%
- Q3
- 38.54%
- Median
- 8.16%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AAL has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
UAL
0.00%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 71.59%
- Q3
- 38.54%
- Median
- 8.16%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UAL has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AAL | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AAL
15.38
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 13.29
- Q3
- 11.94
- Median
- 8.78
- Q1
- 7.42
- Min
- 3.07
At 15.38, AAL’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Passenger Airlines industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
UAL
9.78
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 13.29
- Q3
- 11.94
- Median
- 8.78
- Q1
- 7.42
- Min
- 3.07
UAL’s P/E Ratio of 9.78 is within the middle range for the Passenger Airlines industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AAL
0.16
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.61
- Q1
- 0.44
- Min
- 0.09
In the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry, AAL’s P/S Ratio of 0.16 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
UAL
0.56
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.61
- Q1
- 0.44
- Min
- 0.09
UAL’s P/S Ratio of 0.56 aligns with the market consensus for the Passenger Airlines industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AAL
75.06
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 3.44
- Q3
- 2.89
- Median
- 1.84
- Q1
- 1.22
- Min
- 0.56
At 75.06, AAL’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Passenger Airlines industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
UAL
1.94
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 3.44
- Q3
- 2.89
- Median
- 1.84
- Q1
- 1.22
- Min
- 0.56
UAL’s P/B Ratio of 1.94 is within the conventional range for the Passenger Airlines industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AAL | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 15.38 | 9.78 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.16 | 0.56 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 75.06 | 1.94 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 4.16 | 8.00 |