Which stock is better: LUV or UAL?

The comparison between Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL) depends on your investment criteria. Compare valuation, profitability, growth, and risk metrics to determine which aligns better with your investment goals.

What is the P/E ratio of LUV vs UAL?

LUV has a P/E ratio of 30.43, while UAL has a P/E ratio of 10.77. A lower P/E ratio may indicate a more attractive valuation.

What is the market cap difference between LUV and UAL?

LUV has a market cap of approximately 23.6B, while UAL has a market cap of approximately 38.1B.

LUV vs UAL

Name: LUV Stock
Brand: Southwest Airlines Co.
Price: 48.34 USD
Availability: InStock

In the past 12 months, LUV returned +31% while UAL gained 27%.

Valuation Growth Profitability Balance Sheet Performance

LUV

Southwest Airlines Co.

$48.34

-0.5%(1M)

Market Cap23.6B

Industrials

Airlines, Airports & Air Services

USA

P/E Ratio30.43

ROE10.7%

P/B Ratio3.48

Dividend Yield1.5%

UAL

United Airlines Holdings, Inc.

$117.52

-1.0%(1M)

Market Cap38.1B

Industrials

Airlines, Airports & Air Services

USA

P/E Ratio10.77

ROE22.5%

P/B Ratio2.26

Dividend Yield0.0%

Performance Comparison

Historical returns across multiple timeframes

LUV

Southwest Airlines Co.

+31.1%

1Y Return

UAL

United Airlines Holdings, Inc.

+27.3%

1Y Return

LUV

UAL

Short Term

1M-6M

+9.7%

Medium Term

YTD-1Y

+24.1%

Long Term

3Y-10Y

+134.9%

Valuation

Compare price multiples and valuation ratios

LUV: 1UAL: 4

Metric	LUV	UAL	Winner
P/E Ratio Price to earnings ratio	30.43	10.77	UAL
Forward P/E Forward price to earnings ratio	0.00	0.00	Tie
P/S Ratio Price to sales ratio	0.81	0.60	UAL
P/B Ratio Price to book ratio	3.48	2.26	UAL
P/FCF Ratio Price to free cash flow ratio	-58.60	14.72	LUV
EV/EBITDA Enterprise value to EBITDA	9.92	7.20	UAL
PEG Ratio Price/earnings to growth ratio	0.00	0.00	Tie

Profitability

Compare profit margins and returns on capital

LUV: 0UAL: 6

Metric	LUV	UAL	Winner
Gross Margin Gross profit margin	16.5%	65.1%	UAL
Operating Margin Operating profit margin	3.4%	7.7%	UAL
Net Margin Net profit margin	2.8%	5.6%	UAL
ROE Return on equity	10.7%	22.5%	UAL
ROA Return on assets	2.8%	4.1%	UAL
ROIC Return on invested capital	4.3%	6.4%	UAL

Growth

Compare revenue and earnings growth rates

LUV: 0UAL: 5

Metric	LUV	UAL	Winner
Revenue Growth (YoY) Year-over-year revenue growth	2.1%	3.5%	UAL
Revenue Growth (3Y) 3-year revenue CAGR	5.6%	9.5%	UAL
Revenue Growth (5Y) 5-year revenue CAGR	25.4%	30.9%	UAL
EPS Growth (YoY) Year-over-year EPS growth	5.3%	8.1%	UAL
EPS Growth (3Y) 3-year EPS CAGR	-3.2%	66.1%	UAL
EPS Growth (5Y) 5-year EPS CAGR	0.0%	0.0%	Tie

Balance Sheet & Risk

Compare financial stability and debt levels

LUV: 3UAL: 2

Metric	LUV	UAL	Winner
Debt/Equity Debt to equity ratio	0.93	2.02	LUV
Current Ratio Current assets to current liabilities	0.48	0.78	UAL
Quick Ratio Quick assets to current liabilities	0.41	0.72	UAL
Interest Coverage EBIT to interest expense	8.11	3.83	LUV
Beta Stock volatility vs market	1.12	1.26	LUV

Summary

UAL wins 3-1

Valuation

UAL

Profitability

UAL

Growth

UAL

Balance Sheet

LUV

UAL is more attractively valued. UAL shows stronger profitability. UAL demonstrates better growth. LUV has a stronger balance sheet.

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