AVAV vs. UAL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 28, 2025

Here’s a clear look at AVAV and UAL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	AVAV	UAL
Company Name	AeroVironment, Inc.	United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Aerospace & Defense	Passenger Airlines
Market Capitalization	12.36 billion USD	33.74 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	January 23, 2007	February 6, 2006
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AVAV 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.

AVAV vs. UAL: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	UAL
5-Day Price Return	5.28%	7.23%
13-Week Price Return	38.92%	33.30%
26-Week Price Return	59.87%	8.68%
52-Week Price Return	39.51%	143.60%
Month-to-Date Return	-7.54%	18.00%
Year-to-Date Return	60.81%	7.32%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.69M	4.19M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.12M	6.93M
3-Month Volatility	69.35%	51.46%
Beta	0.97	1.52

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

AVAV

5.06%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 43.89%
Q3: 22.42%
Median: 12.50%
Q1: 5.21%
Min: -6.24%

AVAV’s Return on Equity of 5.06% is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

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.

AVAV vs. UAL: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

AVAV

5.32%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 14.54%
Q3: 8.08%
Median: 6.17%
Q1: 2.49%
Min: -1.63%

AVAV’s Net Profit Margin of 5.32% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

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.

AVAV vs. UAL: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

AVAV

4.97%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 16.63%
Q3: 10.38%
Median: 8.29%
Q1: 6.21%
Min: 0.95%

AVAV’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.97% is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense 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.

AVAV vs. UAL: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	UAL
Return on Equity (TTM)	5.06%	26.43%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.17%	4.41%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	5.32%	5.71%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	4.97%	8.62%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	38.83%	64.15%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

AVAV

3.52

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 3.09
Q3: 1.98
Median: 1.23
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.02

AVAV’s Current Ratio of 3.52 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

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.

AVAV vs. UAL: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

AVAV

0.03

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 1.70
Q3: 1.04
Median: 0.68
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, AVAV’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.03 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

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.

AVAV vs. UAL: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

AVAV

20.72

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 36.57
Q3: 19.90
Median: 7.04
Q1: 2.40
Min: -7.63

AVAV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 20.72 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

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.

AVAV vs. UAL: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	UAL
Current Ratio (MRQ)	3.52	0.70
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	2.52	0.62
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.03	2.02
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	20.72	5.76

Growth

Revenue Growth

AVAV vs. UAL: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

AVAV vs. UAL: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

AVAV

0.00%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 2.03%
Q3: 1.22%
Median: 0.43%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AVAV 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.

AVAV vs. UAL: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

AVAV

0.00%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 83.87%
Q3: 49.90%
Median: 16.48%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AVAV 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.

AVAV vs. UAL: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	UAL
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AVAV

263.65

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 65.97
Q3: 54.11
Median: 34.53
Q1: 23.66
Min: 0.00

At 263.65, AVAV’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Aerospace & Defense 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.

AVAV vs. UAL: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

AVAV

14.01

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 8.07
Q3: 4.49
Median: 2.42
Q1: 1.39
Min: 0.00

With a P/S Ratio of 14.01, AVAV trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

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.

AVAV vs. UAL: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

AVAV

4.82

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 13.67
Q3: 7.92
Median: 4.65
Q1: 2.68
Min: 0.82

AVAV’s P/B Ratio of 4.82 is within the conventional range for the Aerospace & Defense 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.

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.

AVAV vs. UAL: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	UAL
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	263.65	9.78
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	14.01	0.56
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.82	1.94
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	160.44	8.00