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

Updated on August 25, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	UAL	WAB
Company Name	United Airlines Holdings, Inc.	Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Passenger Airlines	Machinery
Market Capitalization	32.32 billion USD	32.97 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	February 6, 2006	June 16, 1995
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of UAL and WAB 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	UAL	WAB
5-Day Price Return	0.71%	0.98%
13-Week Price Return	26.99%	-6.91%
26-Week Price Return	-1.04%	-1.85%
52-Week Price Return	135.75%	19.80%
Month-to-Date Return	13.06%	0.42%
Year-to-Date Return	2.82%	1.72%
10-Day Avg. Volume	5.22M	1.05M
3-Month Avg. Volume	7.44M	1.02M
3-Month Volatility	51.60%	20.33%
Beta	1.51	1.11

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

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.

WAB

11.11%

Machinery Industry

Max: 34.68%
Q3: 19.06%
Median: 13.13%
Q1: 8.53%
Min: -4.87%

WAB’s Return on Equity of 11.11% is on par with the norm for the Machinery industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

UAL vs. WAB: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

WAB

10.92%

Machinery Industry

Max: 19.74%
Q3: 11.24%
Median: 8.13%
Q1: 5.38%
Min: -1.11%

WAB’s Net Profit Margin of 10.92% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Machinery industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

UAL vs. WAB: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

WAB

16.22%

Machinery Industry

Max: 26.63%
Q3: 16.15%
Median: 11.27%
Q1: 7.72%
Min: -4.91%

An Operating Profit Margin of 16.22% places WAB in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

UAL vs. WAB: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	UAL	WAB
Return on Equity (TTM)	26.43%	11.11%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.41%	6.00%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	5.71%	10.92%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	8.62%	16.22%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	64.15%	33.57%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

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.

WAB

1.76

Machinery Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.32
Median: 1.72
Q1: 1.28
Min: 0.78

WAB’s Current Ratio of 1.76 aligns with the median group of the Machinery industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

UAL vs. WAB: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

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.

WAB

0.44

Machinery Industry

Max: 1.49
Q3: 0.75
Median: 0.44
Q1: 0.26
Min: 0.00

WAB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.44 is typical for the Machinery industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

UAL vs. WAB: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

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.

WAB

7.65

Machinery Industry

Max: 67.55
Q3: 33.79
Median: 13.87
Q1: 7.97
Min: -1.43

In the lower quartile for the Machinery industry, WAB’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.65 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.

UAL vs. WAB: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	UAL	WAB
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.70	1.76
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.62	1.05
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.02	0.44
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	5.76	7.65

Growth

Revenue Growth

UAL vs. WAB: 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

UAL vs. WAB: 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)

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.

WAB

0.47%

Machinery Industry

Max: 5.32%
Q3: 2.84%
Median: 1.87%
Q1: 1.09%
Min: 0.00%

WAB’s Dividend Yield of 0.47% is in the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

UAL vs. WAB: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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.

WAB

13.53%

Machinery Industry

Max: 202.17%
Q3: 98.65%
Median: 55.54%
Q1: 29.03%
Min: 0.00%

WAB’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 13.53% is in the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

UAL vs. WAB: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	UAL	WAB
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.47%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	13.53%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

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.

WAB

28.50

Machinery Industry

Max: 53.66
Q3: 31.29
Median: 22.00
Q1: 16.18
Min: 7.00

WAB’s P/E Ratio of 28.50 is within the middle range for the Machinery industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

UAL vs. WAB: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

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.

WAB

3.11

Machinery Industry

Max: 5.04
Q3: 2.72
Median: 1.67
Q1: 1.04
Min: 0.24

WAB’s P/S Ratio of 3.11 is in the upper echelon for the Machinery 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.

UAL vs. WAB: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

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.

WAB

3.32

Machinery Industry

Max: 7.23
Q3: 3.90
Median: 2.52
Q1: 1.47
Min: 0.49

WAB’s P/B Ratio of 3.32 is within the conventional range for the Machinery 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 vs. WAB: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	UAL	WAB
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	9.78	28.50
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.56	3.11
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.94	3.32
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	8.00	22.63