Is SkyWest's Cheap Valuation Reason Enough to Buy the Stock?

Core Viewpoint - SkyWest, Inc. (SKYW) is currently undervalued based on its trailing 12-month price-to-book (P/B) ratio, trading at 1.50X compared to the industry average of 3.16X, indicating an attractive valuation [1] Financial Performance - SkyWest's revenues from flying agreements, which account for 96.1% of total revenue, increased by 16.5% year-over-year in the first nine months of 2025 [6] - The airline carried 12.3% more passengers and saw a 16.2% increase in departures year-over-year during the same period [6] Fleet Modernization - SkyWest is modernizing its fleet through agreements with major airlines such as United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alaska Airlines [7] - The company has a multi-year contract extension with United Airlines for up to 40 CRJ200 aircraft and is set to receive additional E175 aircraft deliveries from various airlines between 2026 and 2028 [8][9] Financial Health - As of the end of the third quarter of 2025, SkyWest had cash and marketable securities totaling $753.35 million, significantly higher than its current debt of $519.51 million, indicating strong financial flexibility [10] - Long-term debt decreased from $2.19 billion to $1.86 billion, improving the debt-to-capitalization ratio from 53.8% to 49% [10] Shareholder Initiatives - SkyWest has increased its share repurchase plan by $250 million, repurchasing 244,000 shares for $26.6 million in the third quarter of 2025 [11] - The company had $240 million available under its current share repurchase program, which is expected to enhance earnings per share and signal management's confidence in the stock's value [11] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for full-year earnings for 2025 and 2026 has been revised upward, reflecting positive sentiment among brokers [14] - The current earnings estimate for the first quarter of 2026 stands at $2.45, with the full-year 2025 estimate at $10.09 and 2026 at $11.07 [15] Investment Recommendation - Given the attractive valuation, increasing flying contracts, fleet modernization efforts, and shareholder-friendly initiatives, it is suggested that investors consider adding SKYW stock to their portfolios for potential healthy returns [16]