Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) vs United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL)

A side-by-side comparison of Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnODFL vs UAL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
ODFL +730.5% (+23.6%/yr)UAL +110.0% (+7.7%/yr)ODFL compounded faster over this window
02004006008001kStart $10020182020202220242026$831$210
ODFL UAL

ODFL vs UAL: by the numbers

  • ODFL is the larger company ($37.80B vs $34.60B market cap).
  • UAL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (9.97 vs 35.02 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • ODFL converts more revenue to profit (19.44% vs 5.56% net margin).
  • UAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (33.94% vs 4.12% CAGR).
  • ODFL pays a dividend (0.63% yield), while UAL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricODFLUAL
P/E ratio35.029.97
Forward P/E31.2110.61
P/S ratio6.750.55
P/B ratio8.312.07
EV / EBITDA20.667.38
FCF yield2.95%7.35%

Profitability

MetricODFLUAL
Gross margin31.70%65.06%
Operating margin25.84%7.75%
Net margin19.44%5.56%
ROE23.95%20.94%
ROIC20.81%6.46%

Dividends

MetricODFLUAL
Dividend yield0.63%N/A
Payout ratio21.97%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricODFLUAL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.12%33.94%
EPS CAGR (5Y)11.14%N/A
FCF CAGR (5Y)12.67%52.93%
Total return CAGR (5Y)4.83%18.13%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, ODFL or UAL?
UAL has the lower trailing P/E: ODFL trades at 35.02 and UAL at 9.97. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, ODFL or UAL?
Over the past five years, UAL grew revenue faster — ODFL at a 4.12% CAGR versus UAL at 33.94%.
Does ODFL or UAL pay a bigger dividend?
ODFL pays a dividend (0.63% yield), while UAL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Is ODFL or UAL more profitable?
ODFL runs the higher net margin — ODFL at 19.44% versus UAL at 5.56%.
How have ODFL and UAL total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, ODFL delivered 23.65% and UAL delivered 7.40% annualized total return. 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 September 13, 2026.