ODFL vs. UAL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ODFL and UAL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ODFL | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Ground Transportation | Passenger Airlines |
| Market Capitalization | 29.26 billion USD | 31.70 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | October 24, 1991 | February 6, 2006 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ODFL 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 | ODFL | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.20% | -4.82% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -13.26% | 21.19% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -16.54% | 23.92% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -28.43% | 66.41% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -6.75% | -8.10% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -20.19% | -0.62% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.46M | 5.86M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.88M | 6.41M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 37.12% | 44.99% |
| Beta | 1.24 | 1.50 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ODFL
25.94%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 23.35%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 9.05%
- Q1
- 6.86%
- Min
- 1.73%
ODFL’s Return on Equity of 25.94% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Ground Transportation 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
- 27.29%
- Median
- 16.68%
- Q1
- 8.40%
- Min
- -15.23%
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)
ODFL
19.42%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 32.19%
- Q3
- 17.08%
- Median
- 7.19%
- Q1
- 4.45%
- Min
- -5.54%
A Net Profit Margin of 19.42% places ODFL in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
UAL
5.71%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 16.00%
- Q3
- 8.99%
- Median
- 6.35%
- Q1
- 3.18%
- Min
- -4.22%
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)
ODFL
25.39%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 42.90%
- Q3
- 23.80%
- Median
- 10.93%
- Q1
- 7.06%
- Min
- -12.94%
An Operating Profit Margin of 25.39% places ODFL in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
UAL
8.62%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 22.47%
- Q3
- 12.67%
- Median
- 8.62%
- Q1
- 4.63%
- Min
- -2.30%
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 | ODFL | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 25.94% | 26.43% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 19.95% | 4.41% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.42% | 5.71% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 25.39% | 8.62% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 89.46% | 64.15% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ODFL
1.38
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.31
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.74
- Min
- 0.35
ODFL’s Current Ratio of 1.38 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.
UAL
0.70
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 1.44
- Q3
- 0.91
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.18
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)
ODFL
0.04
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.51
- Q3
- 1.48
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.48
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, ODFL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.04 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
- 10.23
- Q3
- 5.04
- Median
- 1.27
- Q1
- 0.82
- 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)
ODFL
1,476.48
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 59.80
- Q3
- 25.78
- Median
- 8.23
- Q1
- 2.52
- Min
- -24.57
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 1,476.48, ODFL 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.
UAL
5.76
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 22.60
- Q3
- 17.27
- 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 | ODFL | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.38 | 0.70 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.20 | 0.62 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.04 | 2.02 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 1,476.48 | 5.76 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ODFL
0.79%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.29%
- Q3
- 2.57%
- Median
- 1.59%
- Q1
- 0.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
ODFL’s Dividend Yield of 0.79% is consistent with its peers in the Ground Transportation industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
UAL
0.00%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 7.04%
- Q3
- 3.76%
- Median
- 1.72%
- 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)
ODFL
20.96%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 149.12%
- Q3
- 75.08%
- Median
- 41.35%
- Q1
- 16.42%
- Min
- 0.00%
ODFL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 20.96% is within the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
UAL
0.00%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 99.73%
- Q3
- 50.30%
- Median
- 23.18%
- 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 | ODFL | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.79% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 20.96% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ODFL
26.54
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 39.04
- Q3
- 24.45
- Median
- 17.51
- Q1
- 12.92
- Min
- 5.87
A P/E Ratio of 26.54 places ODFL 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.
UAL
9.16
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 18.74
- Q3
- 11.24
- Median
- 8.33
- Q1
- 6.11
- Min
- 2.97
UAL’s P/E Ratio of 9.16 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)
ODFL
5.15
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.82
- Q3
- 2.22
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.24
With a P/S Ratio of 5.15, ODFL trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Ground Transportation industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
UAL
0.52
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 1.07
- Q3
- 0.73
- Median
- 0.62
- Q1
- 0.40
- Min
- 0.09
UAL’s P/S Ratio of 0.52 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)
ODFL
8.11
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.27
- Q3
- 3.03
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.18
- Min
- 0.67
At 8.11, ODFL’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Ground Transportation 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
- 3.47
- Q3
- 3.19
- Median
- 1.94
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.50
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 | ODFL | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 26.54 | 9.16 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.15 | 0.52 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 8.11 | 1.94 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 37.22 | 7.50 |