United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL) vs Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN)
A side-by-side comparison of United Airlines Holdings, Inc. and Waste Connections, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 27, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
UAL
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
$112.39IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
WCN
Waste Connections, Inc.
$165.68IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — UAL vs WCN
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yUAL +139.8% (+9.1%/yr)WCN +247.6% (+13.3%/yr)WCN compounded faster over this window
UAL WCN
UAL vs WCN: by the numbers
- •WCN is the larger company ($41.76B vs $36.48B market cap).
- •UAL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.51 vs 40.12 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •WCN converts more revenue to profit (10.86% vs 5.56% net margin).
- •UAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (33.94% vs 11.38% CAGR).
- •WCN pays a dividend (0.85% yield), while UAL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | UAL | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 10.51 | 40.12 |
| Forward P/E | 11.03 | 28.92 |
| P/S ratio | 0.58 | 4.33 |
| P/B ratio | 2.20 | 5.35 |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.65 | 17.57 |
| FCF yield | 6.93% | 4.28% |
Profitability
| Metric | UAL | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 65.06% | 39.22% |
| Operating margin | 7.75% | 17.09% |
| Net margin | 5.56% | 10.86% |
| ROE | 20.94% | 13.44% |
| ROIC | 6.46% | 6.63% |
Dividends
| Metric | UAL | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 0.85% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 33.41% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | UAL | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 33.94% | 11.38% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 39.97% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 52.93% | 16.32% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.70% | 6.06% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, UAL or WCN?
- UAL has the lower trailing P/E: UAL trades at 10.51 and WCN at 40.12. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, UAL or WCN?
- Over the past five years, UAL grew revenue faster — UAL at a 33.94% CAGR versus WCN at 11.38%.
- Does UAL or WCN pay a bigger dividend?
- WCN pays a dividend (0.85% yield), while UAL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
- Is UAL or WCN more profitable?
- WCN runs the higher net margin — UAL at 5.56% versus WCN at 10.86%.
- How have UAL and WCN total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, UAL delivered 9.14% and WCN delivered 13.33% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
United Airlines P/E ratioWaste Connections P/E ratioWaste Connections dividend yieldUnited Airlines ROEWaste Connections ROEUnited Airlines operating marginWaste Connections operating marginUnited Airlines revenue growthWaste Connections revenue growthUnited Airlines free cash flowWaste Connections free cash flow
United Airlines & Waste Connections appear in these rankings
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 August 27, 2026.