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.
CW
Curtiss-Wright Corporation
$568.87IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 3, 2026, 3:20 PM EDT
LUV
Southwest Airlines Co.
$38.57IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 3, 2026, 3:20 PM EDT
Total return — CW vs LUV
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCW +568.7% (+20.9%/yr)LUV +15.1% (+1.4%/yr)CW compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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
| Metric | CW | LUV |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 38.62 | 23.69 |
| Forward P/E | 36.70 | 11.47 |
| P/S ratio | 5.70 | 0.64 |
| P/B ratio | 7.53 | 2.72 |
| EV / EBITDA | 26.62 | 8.72 |
| FCF yield | 3.00% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | CW | LUV |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 37.73% | 17.44% |
| Operating margin | 18.85% | 3.46% |
| Net margin | 14.81% | 2.78% |
| ROE | 19.54% | 11.82% |
| ROIC | 12.68% | 4.30% |
Dividends
| Metric | CW | LUV |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.17% | 1.86% |
| Payout ratio | 7.57% | 87.80% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CW | LUV |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Curtiss-Wright P/E ratioSouthwest Airlines P/E ratioCurtiss-Wright dividend yieldSouthwest Airlines dividend yieldCurtiss-Wright ROESouthwest Airlines ROECurtiss-Wright operating marginSouthwest Airlines operating marginCurtiss-Wright revenue growthSouthwest Airlines revenue growthCurtiss-Wright free cash flowSouthwest Airlines free cash flow
Curtiss-Wright & Southwest Airlines appear in these rankings
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.