Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) vs Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL)

DAL leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Delta Air Lines, Inc. and Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — DAL vs ODFL

growth of $100 · last 19y
DAL +297.2%ODFL +5324.9%ODFL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $1002011201520192023$397$5,425
DAL ODFL

DAL vs ODFL: by the numbers

  • DAL is the larger company ($54.57B vs $51.11B market cap).
  • DAL trades at the lower earnings multiple (12.13 vs 51.41 P/E).
  • ODFL converts more revenue to profit (18.46% vs 6.87% net margin).
  • DAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (38.80% vs 5.60% CAGR).
  • DAL pays the higher dividend yield (0.90% vs 0.46%).

Which is better, DAL or ODFL?

Metric tally: DAL 10 · ODFL 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueDAL(lower P/E)
GrowthDAL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeDAL(higher dividend yield)
QualityODFL(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricDALODFL
P/E ratio12.1351.41
Forward P/E15.1738.80
P/S ratio0.839.43
P/B ratio2.6611.69
PEG ratio0.214.62
EV / EBITDA6.9529.99
FCF yield7.24%1.98%

Profitability

MetricDALODFL
Gross margin26.19%30.91%
Operating margin8.83%24.57%
Net margin6.87%18.46%
ROE21.97%22.89%
ROIC8.30%19.91%

Dividends

MetricDALODFL
Dividend yield0.90%0.46%
Payout ratio9.72%23.51%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDALODFL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)38.80%5.60%
EPS CAGR (5Y)0.89%11.14%
FCF CAGR (5Y)115.85%4.53%
Total return CAGR (5Y)13.04%14.94%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DAL or ODFL?
It depends on your goal. value: DAL (lower P/E); growth: DAL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: DAL (higher dividend yield); quality: ODFL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DAL leads 10 to 7.
Is DAL or ODFL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, DAL is cheaper: DAL trades at a 12.13 P/E and ODFL at 51.41.
Which has grown faster, DAL or ODFL?
Over the past five years, DAL grew revenue faster — DAL at a 38.80% CAGR versus ODFL at 5.60%.
Does DAL or ODFL pay a bigger dividend?
DAL yields 0.90% and ODFL yields 0.46% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DAL or ODFL more profitable?
ODFL runs the higher net margin — DAL at 6.87% versus ODFL at 18.46%.
Which has been the better investment, DAL or ODFL?
Over the past 10-year, ODFL delivered the higher annualized total return — DAL at 8.36% versus ODFL at 29.03%. 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 14, 2026.