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DAL vs UAL
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Delta Air Lines (DAL) vs. United Airlines Holdings (UAL) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- DAL reported Q1 2026 revenue of $15.85 billion, up 13% year-over-year, with EPS of $0.64 beating estimates, driving a 6.2% stock rise post-earnings.
- UAL awaits Q1 earnings on April 21, 2026, with expected revenue of $14.45 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.09 amid rising fuel costs.
- Year-to-date, DAL is up about 3%, while UAL shows a YTD decline of around 11%, though both gained over 5% in the recent week.
- DAL holds a larger market cap at $46.8 billion versus UAL's $32.1 billion, with a slight edge in market share (24.3% vs. 22.7%).
- Both face jet fuel price pressures leading to capacity cuts, but premium travel demand supports revenue resilience in the sector.
- Over the past year, DAL delivered stronger returns of about 76% compared to UAL's 49%.
Introduction
DAL and UAL, two leading U.S. airlines, operate in a highly cyclical sector sensitive to fuel costs, travel demand, and economic shifts. This stock comparison analyzes their recent performance, financial metrics, and market positioning amid rising jet fuel prices and capacity adjustments. Traders seeking short-term momentum and investors eyeing long-term recovery in air travel will find insights into relative strengths, such as earnings momentum and valuation, to inform portfolio decisions in the current environment.
DAL Overview and Recent Performance
Delta Air Lines (DAL), a major carrier with a focus on premium services and international routes, recently reported robust March quarter 2026 results. Revenue reached $15.85 billion, a 13% increase year-over-year, surpassing expectations, while adjusted EPS hit $0.64, up 39% and ahead of consensus. These figures reflect strong broad-based demand despite macroeconomic headwinds. The stock, trading around $71 with a market cap of $46.8 billion, rose over 6% following the earnings release and Q2 guidance, buoyed by loyalty program strength offsetting fuel cost pressures. Recent market activity shows YTD gains of about 3% and 1-month returns near 7%, with shares near the upper end of recent ranges amid sector-wide capacity cuts of up to 3%. Sentiment has improved on operational efficiency and pretax profits of $530 million.
UAL Overview and Recent Performance
United Airlines Holdings (UAL), the parent of United Airlines with extensive domestic and global networks, is set to disclose Q1 2026 results amid analyst expectations of $14.45 billion in revenue and $1.09 adjusted EPS. Trading near $99 with a $32.1 billion market cap, the stock has experienced volatility, with YTD performance down approximately 11% but recent weekly gains over 5% aligning with peers. Key influences include surging crude prices prompting capacity reductions and merger speculation that recently faded, impacting sentiment. Over the past year, shares returned about 49%, supported by prior record revenues, though 3-month trends show pressure from fuel costs. Market positioning reflects resilience in premium cabins, with P/E at 9.7 signaling relative value versus growth potential.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both DAL and UAL compete in the passenger airlines space, with hub-and-spoke models exposed to fuel volatility (a key cost driver) and leisure/business travel cycles. DAL edges in market share (24.3% vs. 22.7%) and recent momentum, with superior 1-year returns and post-earnings stability, bolstered by premium/loyalty revenue streams. UAL offers a lower P/E (9.7 vs. 10.4) and higher EPS TTM ($10.20 vs. $6.85), appealing for value amid capacity discipline, but trails YTD and faces near-term earnings uncertainty. Growth drivers include international expansion for both, though DAL's larger scale provides risk buffering. Sentiment tilts positive on demand but cautious on fuel; trade-offs favor DAL for consistency versus UAL's upside potential post-results.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently leans toward DAL based on stronger trend consistency, recent earnings beat, higher market share, and relative stability amid fuel headwinds. With positive post-Q1 momentum and YTD outperformance, it shows better positioning probabilistically for near-term upside, though UAL could shift dynamics with a solid earnings report today.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL) are two of the largest commercial airline companies in the world. Delta is larger, with an enterprise value of about $45B, while UAL has an EV of about $34B. Needless to say, 2020 was an extremely difficult year for airlines. UAL along cut 57% of its scheduled flight capacity compared to 2019 in response to the pandemic. They received support from the government and attempted to generate liquidity and perserve it as much as possible. Delta has taken some efforts to reduce their exposure to the cyclical nature of the industry, through partnerships with American Express and by investing in their repairs segment, which generates revenue from repairs to aircraft engines. UAL has engaged in similar diversification efforts, including partnerships with JP Morgan Chase and maintenance and repairs activities. UAL raise approximately $2B in 2020 through the issuance of additional shares.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
DAL’s FA Score shows that 3 FA rating(s) are green whileUAL’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- DAL’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- UAL’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
DAL’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while UAL’s TA Score has 7 bullish TA indicator(s).
- DAL’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- UAL’s TA Score: 7 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
DAL (@Airlines) experienced а +4.58% price change this week, while UAL (@Airlines) price change was +9.26% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Airlines industry was +4.57%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +8.03%, and the average quarterly price growth was -2.82%.
Reported Earning Dates
DAL is expected to report earnings on Jul 09, 2026.
UAL is expected to report earnings on Jul 22, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Airlines (+4.57% weekly)Airlines industry comprises passenger air transportation, including scheduled and non-scheduled routes. This can include charter airlines, as well as regular commuter ones. Discount pricing and the rise of low-cost carriers over recent decades have expanded the industry by making its services accessible to a much larger global population, compared to the older days when airline travel was a relative luxury for many people in the world. Delta Air Lines Inc., Southwest Airlines Co and United Continental Holdings, Inc. are some of the airlines with the largest stock market capitalizations in the U.S.
| DAL | UAL | DAL / UAL | |
| Capitalization | 54.6B | 37.5B | 146% |
| EBITDA | 6.3B | 5.83B | 108% |
| Gain YTD | 20.325 | 3.309 | 614% |
| P/E Ratio | 12.13 | 10.33 | 117% |
| Revenue | 65.2B | 60.5B | 108% |
| Total Cash | 5.05B | 14.2B | 36% |
| Total Debt | 20.3B | 31B | 65% |
DAL | UAL | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 88 | 28 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 29 Undervalued | 82 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 43 | 46 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 39 | 37 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 6 | 10 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 23 | 21 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 35 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
DAL's Valuation (29) in the Airlines industry is somewhat better than the same rating for UAL (82). This means that DAL’s stock grew somewhat faster than UAL’s over the last 12 months.
DAL's Profit vs Risk Rating (43) in the Airlines industry is in the same range as UAL (46). This means that DAL’s stock grew similarly to UAL’s over the last 12 months.
UAL's SMR Rating (37) in the Airlines industry is in the same range as DAL (39). This means that UAL’s stock grew similarly to DAL’s over the last 12 months.
DAL's Price Growth Rating (6) in the Airlines industry is in the same range as UAL (10). This means that DAL’s stock grew similarly to UAL’s over the last 12 months.
UAL's P/E Growth Rating (21) in the Airlines industry is in the same range as DAL (23). This means that UAL’s stock grew similarly to DAL’s over the last 12 months.
| DAL | UAL | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 84% | 3 days ago 83% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 75% | 3 days ago 83% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 77% | 3 days ago 77% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 79% | 3 days ago 73% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 75% | 3 days ago 80% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 75% | 3 days ago 81% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 73% | 3 days ago 75% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 72% | 11 days ago 77% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 66% | 3 days ago 67% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 74% | 3 days ago 82% |
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DAL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, DAL has been closely correlated with AAL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 83% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if DAL jumps, then AAL could also see price increases.
UAL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, UAL has been closely correlated with DAL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 90% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if UAL jumps, then DAL could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To UAL | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAL | 100% | +2.58% | ||
| DAL - UAL | 90% Closely correlated | +1.50% | ||
| AAL - UAL | 83% Closely correlated | +2.25% | ||
| SKYW - UAL | 77% Closely correlated | +2.27% | ||
| ALK - UAL | 76% Closely correlated | +1.41% | ||
| ALGT - UAL | 71% Closely correlated | +6.45% | ||
More | ||||