FedEx (FDX) 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
FedEx (FDX) has outperformed United Airlines (UAL) over the past year, gaining 48.0% versus a gain of 14.0%. Over five years, UAL leads with a +129.5% price change compared with +56.6% for FDX. FedEx is the larger company by market cap ($68.41 billion vs $35.76 billion), about 1.9 times the size.
On valuation, United Airlines trades at a lower forward P/E (8.0x vs 13.9x for FedEx). FedEx pays a dividend yielding 1.93%, while United Airlines does not currently pay one. United Airlines converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 5.7% versus 4.7%.
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 | FDX | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $289.04 | $110.17 |
| Market cap | $68.41B | $35.76B |
| 1-day change | +0.00% | -1.52% |
| YTD return | +24.18% | -1.48% |
| 1-year return | +48.02% | +13.99% |
| 5-year return | +56.55% | +129.52% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.58 | 10.47 |
| Forward P/E | 13.86 | 8.00 |
| EPS (TTM) | $18.55 | $10.52 |
| Dividend yield | 1.93% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $5.57 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $94.72B | $59.07B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +7.73% | +3.52% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.43B | $3.35B |
| Operating margin | 5.77% | 7.98% |
| Net margin | 4.68% | 5.68% |
| 52-week high | $345.37 | $138.77 |
| 52-week low | $180.99 | $84.64 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.31% | -20.61% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +22.81% | +39.51% |
| Average volume | 1.58M | 3.81M |
| Shares outstanding | 236.67M | 324.58M |
| Employees | 300,000 | 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
- FDX has outperformed UAL by 34.0 percentage points over the past year.
- FedEx trades at a higher earnings multiple (15.6x vs 10.5x trailing P/E).
- FedEx offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.93% vs 0.00%).
About FedEx
FDX stock →FedEx Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides transportation, e-commerce, and business services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Express U.S.
Consumer Discretionary · Air Freight/Delivery Services · 300,000 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
FDX vs UAL FAQ
Which is bigger, FedEx or United Airlines?
FedEx (FDX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $68.41B compared with $35.76B for United Airlines (UAL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FDX or UAL?
FDX returned +48.02% over the past 12 months, compared with +13.99% for UAL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FDX or UAL?
UAL has the lower trailing P/E at 10.5, versus 15.6 for FDX. 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, FedEx or United Airlines?
FedEx pays a dividend yielding 1.93%, while United Airlines does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are FedEx and United Airlines in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Air Freight/Delivery Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.