Have you been paying attention to shares of United Airlines (UAL)? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 19.9% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $105.09 in the previous session. United Airlines has gained 148.3% since the start of the year compared to the 2.7% move for the Zacks Transportation sector and the 36.2% return for the Zacks Transportation - Airline industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?

The stock has a great record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on October 15, 2024, United reported EPS of $3.33 versus consensus estimate of $3.1.

For the current fiscal year, United is expected to post earnings of $10.23 per share on $56.73 billion in revenues. This represents a 1.79% change in EPS on a 5.6% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $11.68 per share on $61.36 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 14.15% and 8.17%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

United may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as these give investors a variety of ways to comb through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

United has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are C and F, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 10X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 11.2X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 5.5X versus its peer group's average of 6.8X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.21. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Zacks Rank

We also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, United currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if United fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though United shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.

How Does UAL Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of UAL have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is SkyWest, Inc. (SKYW). SKYW has a Zacks Rank of # 1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of C, and a Momentum Score of A.

Earnings were strong last quarter. SkyWest, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 12.50%, and for the current fiscal year, SKYW is expected to post earnings of $8.35 per share on revenue of $3.48 billion.

Shares of SkyWest, Inc. have gained 1.5% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 15.81X and a P/CF of 11.11X.

The Transportation - Airline industry is in the top 10% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for UAL and SKYW, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.

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