RYAAY
Ryanair Holdings plc
Airlines, Airports & Air Services
Market Cap$31.49B
5Y Perf.+127.3%
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CAT
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Stock Comparison
RYAAY vs CAT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
Agricultural - Machinery
Market Cap$423.68B
5Y Perf.+619.8%
RYAAY vs CAT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot |  RYAAY |  CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Airlines, Airports & Air Services | Agricultural - Machinery |
| Market Cap | $31.49B | $423.68B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $15.59B | $70.75B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $2.17B | $9.42B |
| Gross Margin | 25.2% | 32.5% |
| Operating Margin | 15.2% | 16.6% |
| Forward P/E | 15.8x | 36.9x |
| Total Debt | $1.49B | $43.33B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $2.77B | $9.98B |
RYAAY vs CAT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
RYAAY
CAT
| Stock | Jun 20 | Jun 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY) | 100 | 227.3 | +127.3% |
| Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) | 100 | 719.8 | +619.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: RYAAY vs CAT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: RYAAY leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Caterpillar Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
🥇RYAAY emerged as the overall leader. Track its performance:
RYAAY
Ryanair Holdings plc
The Income Pick
RYAAY carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 1.26, yield 1.6%
- Rev growth 12.2%, EPS growth 40.4%, 3Y rev CAGR 13.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.26, Low D/E 14.8%, current ratio 0.90x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
CAT is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 11.7% 10Y total return vs RYAAY's 92.3%
- +153.9% vs RYAAY's +8.8%
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth |  RYAAY | 12.2% revenue growth vs CAT's 4.3% |
| Value | RYAAY | Lower P/E (15.8x vs 36.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | RYAAY | 13.9% margin vs CAT's 13.3% |
| Stability / Safety | RYAAY | Beta 1.26 vs CAT's 1.67, lower leverage |
| Dividends | RYAAY | 1.6% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs CAT's 0.6% |
| Momentum (1Y) |  CAT | +153.9% vs RYAAY's +8.8% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | RYAAY | 12.3% ROA vs CAT's 10.0%, ROIC 25.3% vs 15.9% |
RYAAY vs CAT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
RYAAY vs CAT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLRYAAYLAGGINGCAT
CATCaterpillar Inc.
2leads
RYAAYRyanair Holdings plc
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs CATMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CAT5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
RYAAY6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
RYAAY7/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CAT6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CAT leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CAT is the larger business by revenue, generating $70.8B annually — 4.5x RYAAY's $15.6B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 13.9% (RYAAY) to 13.3% (CAT). On growth, CAT holds the edge at +22.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | RYAAYRyanair Holdings … | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $15.6B | $70.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $3.7B | $14.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $2.2B | $9.4B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.8B | $11.4B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +25.2% | +32.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +15.2% | +16.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +13.9% | +13.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +11.7% | +16.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +11.2% | +22.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -30.0% | +30.2% |
CAT leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
RYAAY leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 12.7x trailing earnings, RYAAY trades at a 74% valuation discount to CAT's 48.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, RYAAY's 6.7x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CAT's 33.9x.
| Metric | RYAAYRyanair Holdings … | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $31.5B | $423.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $30.0B | $457.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 12.72x | 48.36x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 15.78x | 36.94x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.72x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 6.73x | 33.92x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.74x | 6.27x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.75x | 20.03x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 15.01x | 41.24x |
RYAAY leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
RYAAY leads this category, winning 7 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CAT delivers a 47.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $48 in annual profit, vs $25 for RYAAY. RYAAY carries lower financial leverage with a 0.15x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CAT's 2.03x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), RYAAY scores 8/9 vs CAT's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | RYAAYRyanair Holdings … | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +24.6% | +47.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +12.3% | +10.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +25.3% | +15.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +24.1% | +19.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 8 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.15x | 2.03x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$1.3B | $33.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2.8B | $10.0B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.5B | $43.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 9.22x |
RYAAY leads this category, winning 7 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CAT leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CAT five years ago would be worth $42,769 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $13,925 for RYAAY. Over the past 12 months, CAT leads with a +153.9% total return vs RYAAY's +8.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CAT at 57.4% vs RYAAY's 13.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | RYAAYRyanair Holdings … | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -16.2% | +52.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +8.8% | +153.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +45.7% | +289.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +39.2% | +327.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +92.3% | +1168.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +13.4% | +57.4% |
CAT leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — RYAAY and CAT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
RYAAY is the less volatile stock with a 1.26 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CAT's 1.67 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CAT currently trades 96.2% from its 52-week high vs RYAAY's 81.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | RYAAYRyanair Holdings … | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.26x | 1.67x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $74.24 | $946.83 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $53.14 | $355.70 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +81.3% | +96.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 54.4 | 52.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.4M | 2.4M |
Evenly matched — RYAAY and CAT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — RYAAY and CAT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates RYAAY as "Buy" and CAT as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 30.1% upside for RYAAY (target: $79) vs -3.1% for CAT (target: $882). For income investors, RYAAY offers the higher dividend yield at 1.61% vs CAT's 0.64%.
| Metric | RYAAYRyanair Holdings … | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $78.50 | $882.20 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 17 | 53 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.6% | +0.6% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 32 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.84 | $5.86 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.0% | +1.2% |
Evenly matched — RYAAY and CAT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CAT leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). RYAAY leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). 2 tied.
Best OverallRyanair Holdings plc (RYAAY)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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RYAAY vs CAT: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is RYAAY or CAT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY) is the stronger pick with 12.
2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 3% for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY) offers the better valuation at 12. 7x trailing P/E (15. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY) a "Buy" — based on 17 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 — RYAAY or CAT?
On trailing P/E, Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY) is the cheapest at 12.
7x versus Caterpillar Inc. at 48. 4x. On forward P/E, Ryanair Holdings plc is actually cheaper at 15. 8x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — RYAAY or CAT?
Over the past 5 years, Caterpillar Inc.
(CAT) delivered a total return of +327. 7%, compared to +39. 2% for Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CAT returned +1169% versus RYAAY's +92. 3%. 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 — RYAAY or CAT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
26β versus Caterpillar Inc. 's 1. 67β — meaning CAT is approximately 32% more volatile than RYAAY relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 15% versus 2% for Caterpillar Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — RYAAY or CAT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY) is pulling ahead at 12.
2% versus 4. 3% for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Ryanair Holdings plc grew EPS 40. 4% year-over-year, compared to -14. 6% for Caterpillar Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, RYAAY leads at 13. 2% 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 — RYAAY or CAT?
Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY) is the more profitable company, earning 14.
0% net margin versus 13. 1% for Caterpillar Inc. — meaning it keeps 14. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CAT leads at 16. 6% versus 15. 8% for RYAAY. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CAT leads at 32. 3%, 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 RYAAY or CAT more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY) trades at 15.
8x forward P/E versus 36. 9x for Caterpillar Inc. — 21. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for RYAAY: 30. 1% to $78. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — RYAAY or CAT?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY) offers the highest yield at 1. 6%, versus 0. 6% for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT).
09Is RYAAY or CAT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Caterpillar Inc.
(CAT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (0. 6% yield, +1169% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CAT: +1169%, RYAAY: +92. 3%), 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 RYAAY and CAT?
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: RYAAY is a mid-cap deep-value stock; CAT is a large-cap quality compounder stock. 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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