Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) vs Xylem Inc. (XYL)

A side-by-side comparison of Southwest Airlines Co. and Xylem Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — LUV vs XYL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
LUV +18.7% (+1.7%/yr)XYL +146.0% (+9.4%/yr)XYL compounded faster over this window
100200300Start $10020182020202220242026$119$246
LUV XYL

LUV vs XYL: by the numbers

  • •XYL is the larger company ($23.96B vs $20.88B market cap).
  • •XYL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.44 vs 26.18 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •XYL converts more revenue to profit (11.07% vs 2.78% net margin).
  • •LUV grew revenue faster over the past five years (24.97% vs 11.91% CAGR).
  • •LUV pays the higher dividend yield (1.83% vs 1.54%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricLUVXYL
P/E ratio26.1824.44
Forward P/E13.0818.12
P/S ratio0.692.63
P/B ratio2.952.30
EV / EBITDA9.3513.66
FCF yieldN/A4.01%

Profitability

MetricLUVXYL
Gross margin17.44%39.24%
Operating margin3.46%14.48%
Net margin2.78%11.07%
ROE11.82%9.69%
ROIC4.30%6.91%

Dividends

MetricLUVXYL
Dividend yield1.83%1.54%
Payout ratio44.17%39.52%

Growth (annualized)

MetricLUVXYL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)24.97%11.91%
EPS CAGR (5Y)N/A22.76%
FCF CAGR (5Y)N/A7.05%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-2.25%-3.08%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, LUV or XYL?
XYL has the lower trailing P/E: LUV trades at 26.18 and XYL at 24.44. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, LUV or XYL?
Over the past five years, LUV grew revenue faster — LUV at a 24.97% CAGR versus XYL at 11.91%.
Does LUV or XYL pay a bigger dividend?
LUV yields 1.83% and XYL yields 1.54% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is LUV or XYL more profitable?
XYL runs the higher net margin — LUV at 2.78% versus XYL at 11.07%.
How have LUV and XYL total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, LUV delivered 1.75% and XYL delivered 9.60% 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 September 13, 2026.