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Head-to-head · Stock vs Stock

Delta Air Lines vs United Airlines Holdings

Stock·NYSE

Delta Air Lines, Inc. DAL

$79.16 ▲ 3.10%
Buy
67 / 100 AI score
Full DAL analysis →
vs

Stock·NASDAQ

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. UAL

$100.69 ▲ 2.82%
Buy
61 / 100 AI score
Full UAL analysis →
01

DAL vs UAL: the verdict

How DAL and UAL compare today, and what CleaRank Financial AI makes of it.

The verdict

CleaRank Financial AI favours DAL
DAL UAL
67/100 AI score 61/100
+29.9% 1-year change +1.4%
30.9% Volatility (30d, yearly) 39.2%
48.3 RSI (14-day) 43.1
15.8x P/E ratio 9.2x
1.02% Dividend yield None
The verdict
Delta Air Lines (DAL) comes out ahead on CleaRank's model, scoring 67/100 (Buy) against 61/100 (Buy) for United Airlines Holdings (UAL). The widest gap is the trend: for DAL, the price is 3.50% above its 200-day average, and the 50-day average is 5.58% above the 200-day. For UAL, the price is 6.99% below its 200-day average and 7.34% below its 50-day average.
Outlook
DAL sits between its 50-day average at $80.76 and its 200-day at $76.48. UAL would need to regain its 50-day average at $108.66 and its 200-day at $108.25 to turn its downtrend.
02

Price, side by side

Both prices start at 0% on the first day of the period you pick, so the moves compare directly.

Rebased price

Nov '25Jan '26Mar '26Jun '26Aug '26Oct '26
DAL UAL

Over 1 year: DAL gained 29.9% and UAL gained 1.4%, a gap of 28.5 points in DAL's favour.

03

Valuation and profitability

What each costs relative to its earnings and sales, and how much of its revenue it keeps.

Side by side

Valuation

Lower multiples mean you pay less for each dollar of earnings or sales.

DAL UAL
$52.1B Market cap $32.7B
15.8x P/E ratio 9.2x
0.7x Price / sales 0.5x
2.3x Price / book 1.8x
8.8x EV / EBITDA 7.3x

Profitability

How much of each dollar of revenue becomes profit, and how hard the capital works.

DAL UAL
+21.1% Revenue growth (quarter, y/y) +16.0%
4.6% Net margin 5.5%
15.9% Return on equity 22.3%
4.0% Return on assets 3.3%
0.89 Debt / equity 1.93
On valuation
DAL trades on the higher trailing P/E, 15.80 against 9.22 for UAL. Both P/Es are at a discount to peers, against an Industrials median of 34.0. On sales, DAL is valued higher, at 0.73 times against 0.50. DAL is the larger company, worth $52.1B against $32.7B.
On profitability
UAL keeps more of its sales as profit, with a net margin of 5.46% against 4.58%. UAL also earns the higher return on equity, 22.31% against 15.91%. In the latest quarter, year on year, revenue grew 21.10% at DAL and grew 15.99% at UAL. DAL has a trailing dividend yield of 1.02%. No dividend is reported in our data for UAL.

Earnings reality check

DAL

DAL beat the estimate in 5 of its last 7 reports (latest Oct '26); the shares fell the next session after 5 of those beats.

Surprise
Next session
Jan '25Jul '25Jan '26Oct '26

UAL

UAL beat the estimate in 7 of its last 8 reports (latest Oct '26); the shares fell the next session after 5 of those beats.

Surprise
Next session
Apr '25Oct '25Apr '26Oct '26
04

Momentum and sentiment

The indicators behind each AI score, side by side.

Indicators side by side

DAL UAL
67/100 AI score 61/100
48.3 RSI (14-day) 43.1
-2.0% Price against 50-day average -7.3%
+3.5% Price against 200-day average -7.0%
Technicals
DAL is in a mixed trend, trading 1.98% below its 50-day average and 3.50% above its 200-day average. Its 14-day RSI is 48.3, in the neutral zone, with the MACD line negative. UAL is in a downtrend, trading 7.34% below its 50-day average and 6.99% below its 200-day average. Its 14-day RSI is 43.1, in the neutral zone, with the MACD line negative. DAL sits higher in its 52-week range, at 59% against 30% for UAL.
Sentiment
Of the 25 analysts covering DAL, 24 rate it buy, 0 hold and 1 sell; their median target is $101.50, 28.2% above the price. Of the 25 analysts covering UAL, 23 rate it buy, 2 hold and 0 sell; their median target is $150.00, 49.0% above the price.
05

Risk and practical tips

How much each moves, how much return each has paid for that risk, and what to watch if you hold either.

Risk measures

DAL UAL
30.9% Volatility (30d, yearly) 39.2%
1.34 Beta against the S&P 500 1.30
0.82 Sharpe ratio 0.94
Risk
UAL moves more on an average day, 2.50% against 2.00% for DAL. Against the S&P 500, DAL has a beta of 1.34 and UAL 1.30. Their worst falls in the price history were 68.5% for DAL (January 2020 to May 2020) and 78.1% for UAL (November 2018 to May 2020). On these measures together, UAL is the riskier of the two.
ProTips
  1. For DAL, watch the 20-day EMA at $79.28 above the price and the 200-day SMA at $76.48 below it.
  2. For UAL, watch the 20-day EMA at $103.41 above the price and the 52-week low at $84.64 below it.
06

DAL vs UAL: long-term scenarios

Simulated paths from each price history. A range of outcomes, not a forecast.

Simulated growth of $10,000

202620282030203220342036
DAL median DAL 90th UAL median UAL 90th
DAL UAL
$3,381 Downside, 2036 (10th) $2,432
$18,699 Base case, 2036 (median) $18,449
$103,409 Upside, 2036 (90th) $139,967

In the median simulated path, $10,000 in DAL grows to about $18,700 and $10,000 in UAL to about $18,400 by 2036. The paths come from each asset's own historical volatility and trend; they are statistical outcomes, not forecasts.

07

Trade plans for both

Entry, stop and target levels from each moving average and its volatility. Educational, not advice.

Actionable Trade Plans

Select Your Trade Bias
Risk Tolerance
Conservative 3% Aggressive
Portfolio Value
$ ✎
Position Size: $200 - $300 per asset
DAL
Current: $79.16
ENTRY ZONES
$75.20
$79.16
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$72.95
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
+5% from current
$83.12
+10% from current
$87.08
+15% from current
$91.03
UAL
Current: $100.69
ENTRY ZONES
$95.66
$100.69
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$92.79
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
+5% from current
$105.72
+10% from current
$110.76
+15% from current
$115.79
Disclaimer
The content is for educational purposes only. The verdict weighs trend, valuation and risk together. Trading involves risk of loss.

Note: The AI favored DAL based on its price trend, on today's data.
08

DAL vs UAL: questions people ask

Answered from the figures on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, DAL or UAL?+
On CleaRank's model DAL scores higher, 67/100 (Buy) against 61/100 (Buy) for UAL. This describes the data on this page and is not a personal recommendation.
Which has performed better over the past year, DAL or UAL?+
Over the past year DAL has come out ahead: its price rose 29.88%, while UAL's rose 1.39%.
Which is cheaper on earnings, DAL or UAL?+
UAL trades on the lower trailing P/E, 9.22 against 15.80 for DAL.
Which pays more income, DAL or UAL?+
DAL offers the higher yield at 1.02%, and no yield is reported for UAL. Yield is the payout divided by the price, so it moves whenever either of those does.
Which is riskier, DAL or UAL?+
UAL is the riskier of the two on the measures we track. Average daily move: 2.00% for DAL, 2.50% for UAL. Beta against the S&P 500: 1.34 for DAL, 1.30 for UAL. Worst fall in the price history: 68.5% for DAL, 78.1% for UAL.
Which has stronger momentum right now, DAL or UAL?+
DAL has the higher 14-day RSI, 48.3 (neutral) against 43.1 (neutral) for UAL. Both MACD lines are negative. Readings above 70 or below 30 mark stretched momentum.
Which is the bigger company, DAL or UAL?+
DAL is the larger company, with a market value of $52.1B, compared with $32.7B for UAL.
What do analysts say about DAL and UAL?+
Of 25 analysts, 24 rate DAL a buy, and its median target sits 28.2% above the price. For UAL, 23 of 25 analysts rate it a buy, and its median target is 49.0% above the price.
How would $10,000 have grown in DAL or UAL?+
Invested in October 2016, $10,000 would be worth $21,549 today in DAL and $18,502 in UAL.

Disclaimer: CleaRank.com is a financial data and analytics provider, not a registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, or financial regulatory body. This AI-generated comparison of DAL vs UAL is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or an offer to buy or sell any securities or digital assets. The comparison metrics, trade plans, and AI signals are hypothetical, hindsight-based, and simulated. Different asset classes carry different risk profiles - stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and forex each have unique regulatory frameworks and risk factors. Market data is provided "as-is" and may be delayed by 15 minutes or more. Past performance does not guarantee future results. You should never invest money you cannot afford to lose. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Analysis generated on October 27, 2026.

Disclaimer:

Engaging in financial markets carries significant risk of total capital loss. Markets are volatile, unpredictable, and past success does not guarantee future results. Never invest funds you cannot afford to lose. CleaRank does not offer financial, investment, or advisory services. We provide no recommendations, endorsements, or guarantees regarding market outcomes. You alone are responsible for your decisions.

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