Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) Return on Invested Capital (ROIC): 1.79%
Is Southwest Airlines Co.’s return on invested capital (ROIC) high or low?
Southwest Airlines Co.'s return on invested capital (ROIC) of 1.79% is 885% above its 5-year average of 0.18%, near the high end of its 5-year range (-9.98%–4.56%).
As of Thursday, June 25, 2026. 25.17% above its 12-month average of 1.43%.
LUV Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Chart
Reported annual fiscal-period values; no daily interpolation.
LUV Average Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Chart
LUV Current vs Average Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Chart
LUV Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Metrics
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC)
1.79%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG TTM
1.43%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 3Y
1.63%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 5Y
0.18%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 10Y
6.93%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 15Y
6.35%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 20Y
6.46%
CURRENT VS TTM AVG
+25.17%
CURRENT VS 3Y AVG
+9.98%
CURRENT VS 5Y AVG
+885.32%
CURRENT VS 10Y AVG
-74.15%
CURRENT VS 15Y AVG
-71.81%
CURRENT VS 20Y AVG
-72.28%
LUV Competitors' Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)
| NAME | MARKET CAP | RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) | TTM | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) | $24.90B | 1.79% | 1.43% | 1.63% | 0.18% |
| J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT)vs › | $25.37B | 9.32% | 8.86% | 10.80% | 11.35% |
| Venture Global, Inc. (VG)vs › | $25.65B | 8.20% | 5.85% | 12.44% | 9.95% |
| Everpure, Inc. (P)vs › | $24.06B | 3.43% | 2.94% | 2.55% | 1.15% |
| Xylem Inc. (XYL)vs › | $26.63B | 6.37% | 6.08% | 6.10% | 5.97% |
| XPO Logistics, Inc. (XPO)vs › | $23.11B | 7.68% | 8.00% | 6.70% | 5.29% |
| ATI Inc. (ATI)vs › | $26.97B | 12.27% | 11.84% | 10.95% | 1.40% |
| Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL)vs › | $27.38B | 19.06% | 17.14% | 14.49% | 12.46% |
| Hubbell Inc (HUBB)vs › | $27.38B | 13.76% | 14.52% | 13.99% | 12.52% |
| Otis Worldwide Corporation (OTIS)vs › | $27.87B | 39.59% | 36.75% | 38.79% | 33.83% |
Capital Efficiency
ROIC
1.8%
ROE
11.9%
Southwest Airlines Co. Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Formula & Definition
ROIC = NOPAT / Invested Capital
Return on invested capital measures the after-tax return a company earns on all capital (debt and equity) invested in the business.
Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute
Southwest Airlines Co. Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) FAQ
- What is the return on invested capital (ROIC) for Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)?
- The return on invested capital (ROIC) for LUV stock is 1.79%.
- Is Southwest Airlines Co.'s return on invested capital (ROIC) high or low?
- Southwest Airlines Co.'s return on invested capital (ROIC) of 1.79% is 885% above its 5-year average of 0.18%, near the high end of its 5-year range (-9.98%–4.56%).
- What is the TTM average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)?
- The TTM average return on invested capital (ROIC) for LUV stock is 1.43%.
- What is the 3Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)?
- The 3Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for LUV stock is 1.63%.
- What is the 5Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)?
- The 5Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for LUV stock is 0.18%.
- What is the 10Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)?
- The 10Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for LUV stock is 6.93%.
- What is the 15Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)?
- The 15Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for LUV stock is 6.35%.
- What is the 20Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)?
- The 20Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for LUV stock is 6.46%.
Southwest Airlines Co. Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) History
| DATE | RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) |
|---|---|
| 2025-12-31 | 1.79% |
| 2024-12-31 | 1.07% |
| 2023-12-31 | 0.67% |
| 2022-12-31 | 2.98% |
| 2021-12-31 | 4.56% |
| 2020-12-31 | -9.98% |
| 2019-12-31 | 12.70% |
| 2018-12-31 | 13.19% |
| 2017-12-31 | 18.36% |
| 2016-12-31 | 13.10% |
| 2015-12-31 | 17.74% |
| 2014-12-31 | 9.67% |
| 2013-12-31 | 5.57% |
| 2012-12-31 | 2.69% |
| 2011-12-31 | 2.69% |
| 2010-12-31 | 4.81% |
| 2009-12-31 | 1.34% |
| 2008-12-31 | 2.46% |
| 2007-12-31 | 4.03% |
| 2006-12-31 | 5.52% |
| 2005-12-31 | 4.19% |
| 2004-12-31 | 3.80% |
| 2003-12-31 | 2.79% |
| 2002-12-31 | 2.32% |
| 2001-12-31 | 5.36% |
| 2000-12-31 | 11.47% |
| 1999-12-31 | 10.21% |
| 1998-12-31 | 10.84% |
| 1997-12-31 | 9.21% |
| 1996-12-31 | 7.17% |
Related Metrics
About Southwest Airlines Co.
Southwest Airlines Co. functions as a passenger airline, offering scheduled air travel services predominantly across the United States and to select neighboring international markets. As of December 31, 2021, the company maintained a consistent fleet of 728 Boeing 737 aircraft. Its extensive route network served 121 different locations, spanning 42 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, along with 10 international countries close by. These international destinations include Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos. To enhance the passenger journey, Southwest provides in-flight entertainment and internet access on its Wi-Fi-enabled planes. The airline also runs the Rapid Rewards loyalty program, enabling members to accumulate points proportional to the money spent on Southwest's base fares. For customer convenience in travel planning, the company offers a range of digital tools, including its official websites and mobile applications, as well as SWABIZ, a dedicated online booking platform for business clients. Additional services available include EarlyBird Check-In, preferred boarding options, and transportation for pets and unaccompanied minors. The company was founded in 1967 and its corporate headquarters are situated in Dallas, Texas.
- Sector
- Industrials
- Industry
- Airlines, Airports & Air Services
- CEO
- Robert E. Jordan