Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) vs Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL)

DAL leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. and Delta Air Lines, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CMG vs DAL

growth of $100 · last 19y
CMG +2398.5%DAL +270.5%CMG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $1002011201520192023$2,498$371
CMG DAL

CMG vs DAL: by the numbers

  • DAL is the larger company ($55.48B vs $41.99B market cap).
  • DAL trades at the lower earnings multiple (12.13 vs 30.03 P/E).
  • CMG converts more revenue to profit (11.96% vs 6.87% net margin).
  • DAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (38.80% vs 13.96% CAGR).
  • DAL pays a dividend (0.90% yield) while CMG does not currently pay one.

Which is better, CMG or DAL?

Metric tally: CMG 6 · DAL 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueDAL(lower P/E)
GrowthDAL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityCMG(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCMGDAL
P/E ratio30.0312.13
Forward P/E24.1215.17
P/S ratio3.510.83
P/B ratio17.702.66
PEG ratio12.030.21
EV / EBITDA20.846.95
FCF yield3.53%7.24%

Profitability

MetricCMGDAL
Gross margin36.13%26.19%
Operating margin15.79%8.83%
Net margin11.96%6.87%
ROE60.31%21.97%
ROIC18.97%8.30%

Dividends

MetricCMGDAL
Dividend yield0.90%
Payout ratio9.72%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCMGDAL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)13.96%38.80%
EPS CAGR (5Y)35.70%0.89%
FCF CAGR (5Y)30.02%115.85%
Total return CAGR (5Y)3.61%13.90%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CMG or DAL?
It depends on your goal. value: DAL (lower P/E); growth: DAL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: CMG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DAL leads 10 to 6.
Is CMG or DAL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, DAL is cheaper: CMG trades at a 30.03 P/E and DAL at 12.13.
Which has grown faster, CMG or DAL?
Over the past five years, DAL grew revenue faster — CMG at a 13.96% CAGR versus DAL at 38.80%.
Does CMG or DAL pay a bigger dividend?
DAL pays a dividend (0.90% yield) while CMG does not currently pay one.
Is CMG or DAL more profitable?
CMG runs the higher net margin — CMG at 11.96% versus DAL at 6.87%.
Which has been the better investment, CMG or DAL?
Over the past 10-year, CMG delivered the higher annualized total return — CMG at 15.41% versus DAL at 9.39%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 15, 2026.