The 3 Smartest Transportation Stocks to Buy With $500 Right Now

Industry Overview - The transportation services sector, valued at $7.31 trillion last year, is projected to nearly double to $15.94 trillion by 2032, indicating significant growth potential despite current challenges [2]. Company Highlights Uber Technology (UBER) - Uber has transitioned from a ride-sharing app to a major player in food delivery and freight transportation, achieving a stock market gain of over 63% last year [4]. - In Q1, Uber reported a 14.8% increase in sales to $10.1 billion year-over-year, surpassing analyst estimates by $40.2 million, with total gross bookings rising nearly 20% [5]. - Despite a loss per share of 31 cents, which missed estimates by 51 cents, analysts expect earnings per share to be 90 cents this year, a 3.3% decline year-over-year, with a recovery anticipated next year [6]. United Airlines (UAL) - United Airlines has consistently exceeded revenue and earnings estimates over the past four quarters, with Q1 revenues reaching $12.54 billion, a 9.7% increase year-over-year [8]. - The airline reported a 1% rise in passenger revenue per available seat mile, driven by strong performance in the Pacific and European regions [8]. - Strategic decisions, such as maintaining its entire widebody fleet during the pandemic, have contributed to record international profits and a positive outlook for future financial performance [9]. SkyWest (SKYW) - SkyWest has established itself as a leading regional airline, connecting passengers to smaller airports and benefiting from strong pricing advantages [10]. - The company reported a 16% increase in total revenue year-over-year to $803.6 million in Q1, and turned a previous net loss of $22 million into a net gain of $60 million [11]. - With strong travel demand expected, SkyWest's stock has seen a significant increase of over 108% last year, positioning it as one of the best transportation stocks to buy [12].