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

CW leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though LUV is the cheaper stock.

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 June 27, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CW vs LUV

growth of $100 · last 30y
CW +11003.6%LUV +859.5%CW compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$11,104$960
CW LUV

CW vs LUV: by the numbers

  • CW is the larger company ($27.61B vs $25.37B market cap).
  • LUV trades at the lower earnings multiple (33.49 vs 54.70 P/E).
  • CW converts more revenue to profit (14.17% vs 2.83% net margin).
  • LUV grew revenue faster over the past five years (33.29% vs 8.60% CAGR).
  • LUV pays the higher dividend yield (1.39% vs 0.14%).

Which is better, CW or LUV?

Metric tally: CW 9 · LUV 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueLUV(lower P/E)
GrowthLUV(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeLUV(higher dividend yield)
QualityCW(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCWLUV
P/E ratio54.7033.49
Forward P/E43.7911.39
P/S ratio7.680.90
P/B ratio10.523.80
PEG ratio1.9440.83
EV / EBITDA36.1311.65
FCF yield2.13%

Profitability

MetricCWLUV
Gross margin37.17%16.46%
Operating margin18.48%3.40%
Net margin14.17%2.83%
ROE19.42%11.88%
ROIC12.41%1.79%

Dividends

MetricCWLUV
Dividend yield0.14%1.39%
Payout ratio8.04%87.80%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCWLUV
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.60%33.29%
EPS CAGR (5Y)21.79%-24.07%
FCF CAGR (5Y)8.67%-15.91%
Total return CAGR (5Y)44.15%0.63%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CW or LUV?
It depends on your goal. value: LUV (lower P/E); growth: LUV (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: LUV (higher dividend yield); quality: CW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CW leads 9 to 7.
Is CW or LUV cheaper?
On trailing earnings, LUV is cheaper: CW trades at a 54.70 P/E and LUV at 33.49.
Which has grown faster, CW or LUV?
Over the past five years, LUV grew revenue faster — CW at a 8.60% CAGR versus LUV at 33.29%.
Does CW or LUV pay a bigger dividend?
CW yields 0.14% and LUV yields 1.39% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CW or LUV more profitable?
CW runs the higher net margin — CW at 14.17% versus LUV at 2.83%.
Which has been the better investment, CW or LUV?
Over the past 10-year, CW delivered the higher annualized total return — CW at 25.54% versus LUV at 4.35%. 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 June 27, 2026.