Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) vs Sysco Corporation (SYY)

DAL leads on 12 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Delta Air Lines, Inc. and Sysco Corporation 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 — DAL vs SYY

growth of $100 · last 19y
DAL +270.5%SYY +128.3%DAL compounded faster
0100200300Start $1002011201520192023$371$228
DAL SYY

DAL vs SYY: by the numbers

  • DAL is the larger company ($55.48B vs $37.86B market cap).
  • DAL trades at the lower earnings multiple (12.13 vs 21.94 P/E).
  • DAL converts more revenue to profit (6.87% vs 2.08% net margin).
  • DAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (38.80% vs 13.67% CAGR).
  • SYY pays the higher dividend yield (2.73% vs 0.90%).

Which is better, DAL or SYY?

Metric tally: DAL 12 · SYY 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDALSYY
P/E ratio12.1321.94
Forward P/E15.1716.00
P/S ratio0.830.46
P/B ratio2.6616.59
PEG ratio0.210.40
EV / EBITDA6.9513.10
FCF yield7.24%5.24%

Profitability

MetricDALSYY
Gross margin26.19%18.54%
Operating margin8.83%3.59%
Net margin6.87%2.08%
ROE21.97%75.58%
ROIC8.30%13.03%

Dividends

MetricDALSYY
Dividend yield0.90%2.73%
Payout ratio9.72%57.75%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDALSYY
Revenue CAGR (5Y)38.80%13.67%
EPS CAGR (5Y)0.89%54.83%
FCF CAGR (5Y)115.85%3.87%
Total return CAGR (5Y)13.90%2.69%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DAL or SYY?
It depends on your goal. value: DAL (lower P/E); growth: DAL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SYY (higher dividend yield); quality: SYY (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DAL leads 12 to 5.
Is DAL or SYY cheaper?
On trailing earnings, DAL is cheaper: DAL trades at a 12.13 P/E and SYY at 21.94.
Which has grown faster, DAL or SYY?
Over the past five years, DAL grew revenue faster — DAL at a 38.80% CAGR versus SYY at 13.67%.
Does DAL or SYY pay a bigger dividend?
DAL yields 0.90% and SYY yields 2.73% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DAL or SYY more profitable?
DAL runs the higher net margin — DAL at 6.87% versus SYY at 2.08%.
Which has been the better investment, DAL or SYY?
Over the past 10-year, DAL delivered the higher annualized total return — DAL at 9.39% versus SYY at 7.74%. 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.