Equifax Inc. (EFX) vs Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)

LUV leads on 7 of 13 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Equifax Inc. and Southwest Airlines Co. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total returnEFX vs LUV

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
EFX +870.7%LUV +1077.3%LUV compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$971$1,177
EFX LUV

EFX vs LUV: by the numbers

  • LUV is the larger company ($23.63B vs $21.72B market cap).
  • EFX converts more revenue to profit (11.12% vs 2.83% net margin).
  • LUV grew revenue faster over the past five years (33.29% vs 7.47% CAGR).
  • LUV pays the higher dividend yield (1.49% vs 1.20%).

Which is better, EFX or LUV?

Metric tally: EFX 6 · LUV 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthLUV(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeLUV(higher dividend yield)
QualityEFX(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricEFXLUV
P/E ratio31.1831.19
Forward P/E20.5615.57
P/S ratio3.410.84
P/B ratio4.713.54
PEG ratio4.1240.83
EV / EBITDA14.1610.94
FCF yield5.32%

Profitability

MetricEFXLUV
Gross margin44.67%16.46%
Operating margin18.26%3.40%
Net margin11.12%2.83%
ROE15.39%11.88%
ROIC7.69%1.79%

Dividends

MetricEFXLUV
Dividend yield1.20%1.49%
Payout ratio39.55%87.80%

Growth (annualized)

MetricEFXLUV
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.47%33.29%
EPS CAGR (5Y)4.60%
FCF CAGR (5Y)13.21%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-6.12%0.38%

Frequently asked

Which is better, EFX or LUV?
It depends on your goal. growth: LUV (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: LUV (higher dividend yield); quality: EFX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, LUV leads 7 to 6.
Is EFX or LUV cheaper?
On trailing earnings, EFX is cheaper: EFX trades at a 31.18 P/E and LUV at 31.19.
Which has grown faster, EFX or LUV?
Over the past five years, LUV grew revenue faster — EFX at a 7.47% CAGR versus LUV at 33.29%.
Does EFX or LUV pay a bigger dividend?
EFX yields 1.20% and LUV yields 1.49% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is EFX or LUV more profitable?
EFX runs the higher net margin — EFX at 11.12% versus LUV at 2.83%.
Which has been the better investment, EFX or LUV?
Over the past 10-year, EFX delivered the higher annualized total return — EFX at 3.85% versus LUV at 2.66%. 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 July 20, 2026.