DAL vs. SAIA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at DAL and SAIA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | DAL | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Delta Air Lines, Inc. | Saia, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Passenger Airlines | Ground Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 38.80 billion USD | 8.34 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | May 3, 2007 | September 11, 2002 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of DAL and SAIA 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 | DAL | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 10.80% | 10.17% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 16.19% | 6.93% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -12.51% | -38.40% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 52.12% | -14.80% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 11.67% | 3.63% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -1.79% | -31.27% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 7.91M | 0.54M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 11.14M | 0.78M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 45.84% | 48.69% |
| Beta | 1.55 | 2.04 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
DAL
29.02%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 49.96%
- Q3
- 28.15%
- Median
- 15.41%
- Q1
- 8.29%
- Min
- -11.01%
In the upper quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry, DAL’s Return on Equity of 29.02% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
SAIA
12.42%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 22.11%
- Q3
- 13.84%
- Median
- 9.66%
- Q1
- 7.55%
- Min
- 0.36%
SAIA’s Return on Equity of 12.42% is on par with the norm for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
DAL
7.24%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 17.65%
- Q3
- 8.90%
- Median
- 5.80%
- Q1
- 2.02%
- Min
- -3.12%
DAL’s Net Profit Margin of 7.24% 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.
SAIA
8.96%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 32.20%
- Q3
- 18.59%
- Median
- 7.11%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -10.38%
SAIA’s Net Profit Margin of 8.96% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Ground Transportation industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
DAL
9.30%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 22.47%
- Q3
- 12.33%
- Median
- 8.62%
- Q1
- 4.43%
- Min
- -2.88%
DAL’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.30% is around the midpoint for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
SAIA
12.25%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 41.31%
- Q3
- 23.16%
- Median
- 11.33%
- Q1
- 6.82%
- Min
- -12.08%
SAIA’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.25% is around the midpoint for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | DAL | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 29.02% | 12.42% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.85% | 8.88% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.24% | 8.96% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.30% | 12.25% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 50.92% | 72.75% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
DAL
0.38
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 1.46
- Q3
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.76
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.17
DAL’s Current Ratio of 0.38 falls into the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
SAIA
1.49
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.03
- Q3
- 1.26
- Median
- 0.89
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.38
SAIA’s Current Ratio of 1.49 is in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
DAL
0.86
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 9.80
- Q3
- 4.82
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 0.89
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry, DAL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.86 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
SAIA
0.13
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.51
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.47
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, SAIA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.13 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
DAL
5.37
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 22.60
- Q3
- 16.29
- Median
- 6.75
- Q1
- 1.94
- Min
- -8.55
DAL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.37 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
SAIA
61.40
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 51.07
- Q3
- 22.54
- Median
- 7.94
- Q1
- 2.72
- Min
- -24.57
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 61.40, SAIA demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | DAL | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.38 | 1.49 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.25 | 1.34 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.86 | 0.13 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 5.37 | 61.40 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
DAL
1.02%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 6.71%
- Q3
- 3.95%
- Median
- 1.10%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
DAL’s Dividend Yield of 1.02% is consistent with its peers in the Passenger Airlines industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
SAIA
0.00%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.44%
- Q3
- 2.49%
- Median
- 1.53%
- Q1
- 0.39%
- Min
- 0.00%
SAIA 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)
DAL
8.67%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 71.59%
- Q3
- 38.54%
- Median
- 8.16%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
DAL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 8.67% is within the typical range for the Passenger Airlines industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
SAIA
0.00%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 137.07%
- Q3
- 74.71%
- Median
- 41.16%
- Q1
- 15.12%
- Min
- 0.00%
SAIA 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 | DAL | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.02% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 8.67% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
DAL
8.52
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 13.29
- Q3
- 11.94
- Median
- 8.78
- Q1
- 7.42
- Min
- 3.07
DAL’s P/E Ratio of 8.52 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.
SAIA
28.61
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 42.59
- Q3
- 24.86
- Median
- 16.38
- Q1
- 12.79
- Min
- 4.37
A P/E Ratio of 28.61 places SAIA in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
DAL
0.62
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.61
- Q1
- 0.44
- Min
- 0.09
DAL’s P/S Ratio of 0.62 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.
SAIA
2.56
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 4.02
- Q3
- 2.20
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.22
SAIA’s P/S Ratio of 2.56 is in the upper echelon for the Ground Transportation industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
DAL
1.84
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 3.44
- Q3
- 2.89
- Median
- 1.84
- Q1
- 1.22
- Min
- 0.56
DAL’s P/B Ratio of 1.84 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.
SAIA
3.00
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 4.95
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 1.17
- Min
- 0.64
SAIA’s P/B Ratio of 3.00 is in the upper tier for the Ground Transportation industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | DAL | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 8.52 | 28.61 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.62 | 2.56 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.84 | 3.00 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 16.01 | 56.39 |