IDEX Corporation (IEX) vs Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)
A side-by-side comparison of IDEX Corporation and Southwest Airlines Co. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 20, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
IEX
IDEX Corporation
$234.45IndustrialsAt close: Aug 19, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
LUV
Southwest Airlines Co.
$41.42IndustrialsAt close: Aug 19, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — IEX vs LUV
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yIEX +184.0% (+11.0%/yr)LUV +27.8% (+2.5%/yr)IEX compounded faster over this window
IEX LUV
IEX vs LUV: by the numbers
- •LUV is the larger company ($20.26B vs $17.28B market cap).
- •LUV trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (25.41 vs 33.73 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •IEX converts more revenue to profit (14.49% vs 2.78% net margin).
- •LUV grew revenue faster over the past five years (24.97% vs 7.19% CAGR).
- •LUV pays the higher dividend yield (1.74% vs 1.23%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | IEX | LUV |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 33.73 | 25.41 |
| Forward P/E | 26.99 | 12.10 |
| P/S ratio | 4.85 | 0.69 |
| P/B ratio | 4.34 | 2.91 |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.50 | 9.26 |
| FCF yield | 3.69% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | IEX | LUV |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.70% | 17.44% |
| Operating margin | 20.75% | 3.46% |
| Net margin | 14.49% | 2.78% |
| ROE | 12.96% | 11.82% |
| ROIC | 8.93% | 4.30% |
Dividends
| Metric | IEX | LUV |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.23% | 1.74% |
| Payout ratio | 44.93% | 87.80% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | IEX | LUV |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.19% | 24.97% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.14% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 5.13% | N/A |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 2.53% | -1.10% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, IEX or LUV?
- LUV has the lower trailing P/E: IEX trades at 33.73 and LUV at 25.41. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, IEX or LUV?
- Over the past five years, LUV grew revenue faster — IEX at a 7.19% CAGR versus LUV at 24.97%.
- Does IEX or LUV pay a bigger dividend?
- IEX yields 1.23% and LUV yields 1.74% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is IEX or LUV more profitable?
- IEX runs the higher net margin — IEX at 14.49% versus LUV at 2.78%.
- How have IEX and LUV total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, IEX delivered 10.97% and LUV delivered 2.53% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
IDEX P/E ratioSouthwest Airlines P/E ratioIDEX dividend yieldSouthwest Airlines dividend yieldIDEX ROESouthwest Airlines ROEIDEX operating marginSouthwest Airlines operating marginIDEX revenue growthSouthwest Airlines revenue growthIDEX free cash flowSouthwest Airlines free cash flow
IDEX & 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 August 20, 2026.