United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL) vs Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB)

UAL leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of United Airlines Holdings, Inc. and Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 16, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — UAL vs WAB

growth of $100 · last 20y
UAL +280.0%WAB +1580.6%WAB compounded faster
05001k2kStart $10020102014201820222026$380$1,681
UAL WAB

UAL vs WAB: by the numbers

  • WAB is the larger company ($45.62B vs $38.94B market cap).
  • UAL trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.71 vs 38.03 P/E).
  • WAB converts more revenue to profit (10.52% vs 6.06% net margin).
  • UAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (41.67% vs 9.07% CAGR).
  • WAB pays a dividend (0.42% yield) while UAL does not currently pay one.

Which is better, UAL or WAB?

Metric tally: UAL 11 · WAB 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueUAL(lower P/E)
GrowthUAL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityWAB(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricUALWAB
P/E ratio10.7138.03
Forward P/E8.3225.33
P/S ratio0.653.99
P/B ratio2.474.12
PEG ratio1.662.32
EV / EBITDA7.1722.57
FCF yield8.18%3.58%

Profitability

MetricUALWAB
Gross margin64.24%33.81%
Operating margin8.44%16.10%
Net margin6.06%10.52%
ROE23.09%10.85%
ROIC6.63%7.64%

Dividends

MetricUALWAB
Dividend yield0.42%
Payout ratio16.33%

Growth (annualized)

MetricUALWAB
Revenue CAGR (5Y)41.67%9.07%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-2.15%25.77%
FCF CAGR (5Y)61.78%9.83%
Total return CAGR (5Y)16.76%28.01%

Frequently asked

Which is better, UAL or WAB?
It depends on your goal. value: UAL (lower P/E); growth: UAL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: WAB (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, UAL leads 11 to 5.
Is UAL or WAB cheaper?
On trailing earnings, UAL is cheaper: UAL trades at a 10.71 P/E and WAB at 38.03.
Which has grown faster, UAL or WAB?
Over the past five years, UAL grew revenue faster — UAL at a 41.67% CAGR versus WAB at 9.07%.
Does UAL or WAB pay a bigger dividend?
WAB pays a dividend (0.42% yield) while UAL does not currently pay one.
Is UAL or WAB more profitable?
WAB runs the higher net margin — UAL at 6.06% versus WAB at 10.52%.
Which has been the better investment, UAL or WAB?
Over the past 10-year, WAB delivered the higher annualized total return — UAL at 10.84% versus WAB at 14.54%. 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 16, 2026.