Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) vs Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)

A side-by-side comparison of Curtiss-Wright Corporation and Southwest Airlines Co. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 3, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCW vs LUV

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CW +568.7% (+20.9%/yr)LUV +15.1% (+1.4%/yr)CW compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001kStart $10020182020202220242026$669$115
CW LUV

CW vs LUV: by the numbers

  • CW is the larger company ($21.01B vs $18.87B market cap).
  • LUV trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (23.69 vs 38.62 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CW converts more revenue to profit (14.81% vs 2.78% net margin).
  • LUV grew revenue faster over the past five years (24.97% vs 8.25% CAGR).
  • LUV pays the higher dividend yield (1.86% vs 0.17%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCWLUV
P/E ratio38.6223.69
Forward P/E36.7011.47
P/S ratio5.700.64
P/B ratio7.532.72
EV / EBITDA26.628.72
FCF yield3.00%N/A

Profitability

MetricCWLUV
Gross margin37.73%17.44%
Operating margin18.85%3.46%
Net margin14.81%2.78%
ROE19.54%11.82%
ROIC12.68%4.30%

Dividends

MetricCWLUV
Dividend yield0.17%1.86%
Payout ratio7.57%87.80%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCWLUV
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.25%24.97%
EPS CAGR (5Y)21.79%N/A
FCF CAGR (5Y)13.92%N/A
Total return CAGR (5Y)36.57%-3.34%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CW or LUV?
LUV has the lower trailing P/E: CW trades at 38.62 and LUV at 23.69. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CW or LUV?
Over the past five years, LUV grew revenue faster — CW at a 8.25% CAGR versus LUV at 24.97%.
Does CW or LUV pay a bigger dividend?
CW yields 0.17% and LUV yields 1.86% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CW or LUV more profitable?
CW runs the higher net margin — CW at 14.81% versus LUV at 2.78%.
How have CW and LUV total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CW delivered 20.50% and LUV delivered 1.67% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 3, 2026.