Airlines, Airports & Air Services
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PAC vs UAL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Airlines, Airports & Air Services
PAC vs UAL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Airlines, Airports & Air Services | Airlines, Airports & Air Services |
| Market Cap | $10.79B | $32.37B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $32.53B | $60.47B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $10.36B | $3.67B |
| Gross Margin | 32.6% | 64.2% |
| Operating Margin | 54.0% | 8.4% |
| Forward P/E | 1.0x | 10.7x |
| Total Debt | $46.66B | $31.04B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $10.45B | $5.94B |
PAC vs UAL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grupo Aeroportuario… (PAC) | 100 | 378.4 | +278.4% |
| United Airlines Hol… (UAL) | 100 | 355.6 | +255.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PAC vs UAL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
PAC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.59, yield 3.9%
- Rev growth 21.4%, EPS growth 12.6%, 3Y rev CAGR 5.9%
- 219.5% 10Y total return vs UAL's 118.1%
UAL is the clearest fit if your priority is momentum.
- +32.3% vs PAC's +16.9%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 21.4% revenue growth vs UAL's 3.5% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (1.0x vs 10.7x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 31.9% margin vs UAL's 6.1% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.59 vs UAL's 2.25, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 3.9% yield; 1-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +32.3% vs PAC's +16.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 11.8% ROA vs UAL's 4.7%, ROIC 21.9% vs 9.1% |
PAC vs UAL — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
PAC vs UAL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — PAC and UAL each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
UAL is the larger business by revenue, generating $60.5B annually — 1.9x PAC's $32.5B. PAC is the more profitable business, keeping 31.9% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to UAL's 6.1%. On growth, UAL holds the edge at +10.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $32.5B | $60.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $21.3B | $8.1B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $10.4B | $3.7B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $5.9B | $3.2B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +32.6% | +64.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +54.0% | +8.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +31.9% | +6.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +18.0% | +5.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -63.8% | +10.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +3.4% | +84.5% |
Valuation Metrics
UAL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 9.8x trailing earnings, UAL trades at a 55% valuation discount to PAC's 21.9x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, UAL's 7.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than PAC's 10.4x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $10.8B | $32.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $12.9B | $57.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 21.89x | 9.76x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 1.05x | 10.65x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.55x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 10.42x | 7.51x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 5.72x | 0.55x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 8.81x | 2.13x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 31.79x | 12.66x |
Profitability & Efficiency
PAC leads this category, winning 6 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PAC delivers a 41.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $42 in annual profit, vs $25 for UAL. PAC carries lower financial leverage with a 1.88x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to UAL's 2.03x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +41.7% | +24.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +11.8% | +4.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +21.9% | +9.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +26.5% | +9.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 8 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.88x | 2.03x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $36.2B | $25.1B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $10.5B | $5.9B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $46.7B | $31.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 5.99x | 4.61x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — PAC and UAL each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in PAC five years ago would be worth $26,620 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $18,217 for UAL. Over the past 12 months, UAL leads with a +32.3% total return vs PAC's +16.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors UAL at 29.5% vs PAC's 15.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -4.1% | -11.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +16.9% | +32.3% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +53.8% | +117.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +166.2% | +82.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +219.5% | +118.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +15.4% | +29.5% |
Risk & Volatility
PAC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PAC is the less volatile stock with a 0.59 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than UAL's 2.25 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.59x | 2.25x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $300.41 | $119.21 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $206.91 | $71.55 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +83.6% | +83.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 49.0 | 58.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 130K | 8.3M |
Analyst Outlook
PAC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates PAC as "Hold" and UAL as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 36.5% upside for UAL (target: $136) vs 3.5% for PAC (target: $260). PAC is the only dividend payer here at 3.89% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $260.00 | $136.10 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 15 | 47 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.9% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $168.40 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +2.0% |
PAC leads in 3 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Risk & Volatility). UAL leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
PAC vs UAL: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PAC or UAL a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.
A. B. de C. V. (PAC) is the stronger pick with 21. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 5% for United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL). United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL) offers the better valuation at 9. 8x trailing P/E (10. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL) a "Buy" — based on 47 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — PAC or UAL?
On trailing P/E, United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
(UAL) is the cheapest at 9. 8x versus Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S. A. B. de C. V. at 21. 9x. On forward P/E, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S. A. B. de C. V. is actually cheaper at 1. 0x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — PAC or UAL?
Over the past 5 years, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.
A. B. de C. V. (PAC) delivered a total return of +166. 2%, compared to +82. 2% for United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PAC returned +219. 5% versus UAL's +118. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — PAC or UAL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.
A. B. de C. V. (PAC) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 59β versus United Airlines Holdings, Inc. 's 2. 25β — meaning UAL is approximately 282% more volatile than PAC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S. A. B. de C. V. (PAC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 188% versus 2% for United Airlines Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — PAC or UAL?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.
A. B. de C. V. (PAC) is pulling ahead at 21. 4% versus 3. 5% for United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S. A. B. de C. V. grew EPS 12. 6% year-over-year, compared to 8. 1% for United Airlines Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, UAL leads at 9. 5% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — PAC or UAL?
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.
A. B. de C. V. (PAC) is the more profitable company, earning 30. 7% net margin versus 5. 7% for United Airlines Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 30. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PAC leads at 54. 0% versus 8. 0% for UAL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PAC leads at 77. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is PAC or UAL more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.
A. B. de C. V. (PAC) trades at 1. 0x forward P/E versus 10. 7x for United Airlines Holdings, Inc. — 9. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for UAL: 36. 5% to $136. 10.
08Which pays a better dividend — PAC or UAL?
In this comparison, PAC (3.
9% yield) pays a dividend. UAL does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is PAC or UAL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.
A. B. de C. V. (PAC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 59), 3. 9% yield, +219. 5% 10Y return). United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL) carries a higher beta of 2. 25 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PAC: +219. 5%, UAL: +118. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between PAC and UAL?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: PAC is a mid-cap high-growth stock; UAL is a mid-cap deep-value stock. PAC pays a dividend while UAL does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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