J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) vs Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)

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

A side-by-side comparison of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. and Southwest Airlines Co. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 25, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — JBHT vs LUV

growth of $100 · last 30y
JBHT +5275.3%LUV +805.9%JBHT compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$5,375$906
JBHT LUV

JBHT vs LUV: by the numbers

  • JBHT is the larger company ($25.90B vs $25.46B market cap).
  • LUV trades at the lower earnings multiple (33.61 vs 42.52 P/E).
  • JBHT converts more revenue to profit (5.13% vs 2.83% net margin).
  • LUV grew revenue faster over the past five years (33.29% vs 4.00% CAGR).
  • LUV pays the higher dividend yield (1.38% vs 0.65%).

Which is better, JBHT or LUV?

Metric tally: JBHT 9 · LUV 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricJBHTLUV
P/E ratio42.5233.61
Forward P/E29.9211.44
P/S ratio2.160.91
P/B ratio7.283.81
PEG ratio3.4240.83
EV / EBITDA17.4610.91
FCF yield3.95%

Profitability

MetricJBHTLUV
Gross margin17.28%16.46%
Operating margin7.36%3.40%
Net margin5.13%2.83%
ROE17.31%11.88%
ROIC9.32%1.79%

Dividends

MetricJBHTLUV
Dividend yield0.65%1.38%
Payout ratio29.08%87.80%

Growth (annualized)

MetricJBHTLUV
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.00%33.29%
EPS CAGR (5Y)5.02%-24.07%
FCF CAGR (5Y)13.09%-15.91%
Total return CAGR (5Y)12.17%0.70%

Frequently asked

Which is better, JBHT or LUV?
It depends on your goal. value: LUV (lower P/E); growth: LUV (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: LUV (higher dividend yield); quality: JBHT (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, JBHT leads 9 to 7.
Is JBHT or LUV cheaper?
On trailing earnings, LUV is cheaper: JBHT trades at a 42.52 P/E and LUV at 33.61.
Which has grown faster, JBHT or LUV?
Over the past five years, LUV grew revenue faster — JBHT at a 4.00% CAGR versus LUV at 33.29%.
Does JBHT or LUV pay a bigger dividend?
JBHT yields 0.65% and LUV yields 1.38% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is JBHT or LUV more profitable?
JBHT runs the higher net margin — JBHT at 5.13% versus LUV at 2.83%.
Which has been the better investment, JBHT or LUV?
Over the past 10-year, JBHT delivered the higher annualized total return — JBHT at 14.43% versus LUV at 4.39%. 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 25, 2026.