Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) vs XPO Logistics, Inc. (XPO)
XPO leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics, though LUV is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Southwest Airlines Co. and XPO Logistics, Inc. 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).
Total return — LUV vs XPO
growth of $100 · last 23yLUV +172.3%XPO +32730.7%XPO compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
LUV XPO
LUV vs XPO: by the numbers
- •LUV is the larger company ($24.90B vs $23.11B market cap).
- •LUV trades at the lower earnings multiple (32.86 vs 67.41 P/E).
- •XPO converts more revenue to profit (4.19% vs 2.83% net margin).
- •LUV grew revenue faster over the past five years (33.29% vs -9.71% CAGR).
- •LUV pays a dividend (1.41% yield) while XPO does not currently pay one.
Which is better, LUV or XPO?
Metric tally: LUV 7 · XPO 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueLUV(lower P/E)
GrowthLUV(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityXPO(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | LUV | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 32.86● | 67.41 |
| Forward P/E | 11.19● | 32.63 |
| P/S ratio | 0.89● | 2.82 |
| P/B ratio | 3.73● | 12.65 |
| PEG ratio | 40.83 | 2.66● |
| EV / EBITDA | 10.70● | 22.40 |
| FCF yield | — | 1.95% |
Profitability
| Metric | LUV | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 16.46%● | 12.18% |
| Operating margin | 3.40% | 9.05%● |
| Net margin | 2.83% | 4.19%● |
| ROE | 11.88% | 18.80%● |
| ROIC | 1.79% | 7.68%● |
Dividends
| Metric | LUV | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.41% | — |
| Payout ratio | 87.80% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | LUV | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 33.29%● | -9.71% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -24.07% | 25.33%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -15.91% | -6.51%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 0.21% | 30.51%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, LUV or XPO?
- It depends on your goal. value: LUV (lower P/E); growth: LUV (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: XPO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, XPO leads 8 to 7.
- Is LUV or XPO cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, LUV is cheaper: LUV trades at a 32.86 P/E and XPO at 67.41.
- Which has grown faster, LUV or XPO?
- Over the past five years, LUV grew revenue faster — LUV at a 33.29% CAGR versus XPO at -9.71%.
- Does LUV or XPO pay a bigger dividend?
- LUV pays a dividend (1.41% yield) while XPO does not currently pay one.
- Is LUV or XPO more profitable?
- XPO runs the higher net margin — LUV at 2.83% versus XPO at 4.19%.
- Which has been the better investment, LUV or XPO?
- Over the past 10-year, XPO delivered the higher annualized total return — LUV at 4.16% versus XPO at 36.89%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Southwest Airlines P/E ratioXPO Logistics P/E ratioSouthwest Airlines dividend yieldXPO Logistics dividend yieldSouthwest Airlines ROEXPO Logistics ROESouthwest Airlines operating marginXPO Logistics operating marginSouthwest Airlines revenue growthXPO Logistics revenue growthSouthwest Airlines free cash flowXPO Logistics free cash flow
Southwest Airlines & XPO Logistics 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 June 25, 2026.