Jacobs Solutions Inc. (J) vs Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)

A side-by-side comparison of Jacobs Solutions Inc. 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.

Compare

Total returnJ vs LUV

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
J +260.3% (+13.7%/yr)LUV +27.8% (+2.5%/yr)J compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$360$128
J LUV

J vs LUV: by the numbers

  • LUV is the larger company ($20.26B vs $17.40B market cap).
  • LUV trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (25.41 vs 51.71 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • LUV converts more revenue to profit (2.78% vs 2.35% net margin).
  • LUV grew revenue faster over the past five years (24.97% vs -2.38% CAGR).
  • LUV pays the higher dividend yield (1.74% vs 0.92%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricJLUV
P/E ratio51.7125.41
Forward P/E20.3112.10
P/S ratio1.230.69
P/B ratio5.372.91
EV / EBITDA23.149.26
FCF yield3.68%N/A

Profitability

MetricJLUV
Gross margin22.07%17.44%
Operating margin4.57%3.46%
Net margin2.35%2.78%
ROE10.25%11.82%
ROIC5.26%4.30%

Dividends

MetricJLUV
Dividend yield0.92%1.74%
Payout ratio56.90%87.80%

Growth (annualized)

MetricJLUV
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-2.38%24.97%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-3.81%N/A
FCF CAGR (5Y)-8.74%N/A
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.15%-1.10%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, J or LUV?
LUV has the lower trailing P/E: J trades at 51.71 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, J or LUV?
Over the past five years, LUV grew revenue faster — J at a -2.38% CAGR versus LUV at 24.97%.
Does J or LUV pay a bigger dividend?
J yields 0.92% and LUV yields 1.74% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is J or LUV more profitable?
LUV runs the higher net margin — J at 2.35% versus LUV at 2.78%.
How have J and LUV total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, J delivered 13.75% and LUV delivered 2.53% 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 August 20, 2026.