Copa S.A. (CPA) vs United Airlines (UAL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
United Airlines (UAL) has outperformed Copa S.A. (CPA) over the past year, gaining 14.0% versus a gain of 13.0%. Over five years, UAL leads with a +129.5% price change compared with +62.6% for CPA. United Airlines is the larger company by market cap ($34.67 billion vs $5.49 billion), about 6.3 times the size, while Copa S.A. is growing revenue faster (+5.0% vs +3.5%).
On valuation, Copa S.A. trades at a lower forward P/E (7.0x vs 7.8x for United Airlines). Copa S.A. pays a dividend yielding 4.94%, while United Airlines does not currently pay one. Copa S.A. converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.6% versus 5.7%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CPA | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $134.45 | $106.82 |
| Market cap | $5.49B | $34.67B |
| 1-day change | -1.34% | -3.04% |
| YTD return | +12.98% | -1.48% |
| 1-year return | +13.04% | +13.99% |
| 5-year return | +62.63% | +129.52% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.84 | 10.00 |
| Forward P/E | 7.05 | 7.76 |
| EPS (TTM) | $15.21 | $10.68 |
| Dividend yield | 4.94% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $6.64 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.62B | $59.07B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.98% | +3.52% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $671.65M | $3.35B |
| Operating margin | 22.64% | 7.98% |
| Net margin | 18.56% | 5.68% |
| 52-week high | $160.47 | $138.77 |
| 52-week low | $107.44 | $84.64 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.21% | -23.03% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +32.93% | +43.89% |
| Average volume | 298.10K | 3.84M |
| Shares outstanding | 29.88M | 324.58M |
| Employees | 8,565 | 117,500 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Air Freight/Delivery Services | Air Freight/Delivery Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- United Airlines is about 6.3 times larger than Copa S.A. by market value ($34.67B vs $5.49B).
- Copa S.A. offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.94% vs 0.00%).
- Copa S.A. is more profitable, keeping 18.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.7 cents for United Airlines.
About Copa S.A.
CPA stock →Copa Holdings, S.A., through its subsidiaries, provides airline passenger, and cargo and mail transportation services in North America, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. As of December 31, 2025, it operated through a fleet of 125 aircraft.
Consumer Discretionary · Air Freight/Delivery Services · 8,565 employees
About United Airlines
UAL stock →United Airlines Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides air transportation services in the United States, Canada, Atlantic, the Pacific, and Latin America. It transports people and cargo through its mainline and regional fleets.
Consumer Discretionary · Air Freight/Delivery Services · 117,500 employees
CPA vs UAL FAQ
Which is bigger, Copa S.A. or United Airlines?
United Airlines (UAL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $34.67B compared with $5.49B for Copa S.A. (CPA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CPA or UAL?
UAL returned +13.99% over the past 12 months, compared with +13.04% for CPA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CPA or UAL?
CPA has the lower trailing P/E at 8.8, versus 10.0 for UAL. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Copa S.A. or United Airlines?
Copa S.A. pays a dividend yielding 4.94%, while United Airlines does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Copa S.A. and United Airlines in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Air Freight/Delivery Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.