Southwest Airlines Co. logo
LUVSouthwest Airlines Co.

FCF Payout Ratio: 19.43%

Is the FCF payout ratio high or low?

The FCF payout ratio of 19.43% is 22% above its 5-year average of 15.90%, around the middle of its 5-year range (10.35%–31.17%).

14.82% above its 12-month average of 16.92%.

FCF Payout Ratio

LUV FCF Payout Ratio

19.43%

Rolling trailing-12-month FCF payout ratio sampled each quarter; raw quarterly payout is intentionally not charted.

+41.88% 5Y
LUV FCF Payout Ratio

LUV Average FCF Payout Ratio Chart

LUV FCF Payout Ratio

LUV Current vs Average FCF Payout Ratio Chart

LUV FCF Payout Ratio Metrics

FCF PAYOUT RATIO

19.43%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG TTM

16.92%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 3Y

14.32%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 5Y

13.79%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 10Y

9.39%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 15Y

8.56%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 20Y

N/A

CURRENT VS TTM AVG

+14.82%

CURRENT VS 3Y AVG

+35.63%

CURRENT VS 5Y AVG

+40.86%

CURRENT VS 10Y AVG

+106.80%

CURRENT VS 15Y AVG

+126.83%

CURRENT VS 20Y AVG

N/A

Payout Ratio Comparison

FCF Payout Ratio TTM

19.4%

Earnings Payout Ratio

87.8%

Dividend Yield

1.41%

FCF Yield

N/A

Annual FCF Payout Ratio History

YearFree Cash FlowDividends PaidFCF Payout Ratio
2025($831.00M)$399.00MN/A (Loss)
2024($1.62B)$430.00MN/A (Loss)
2023($356.00M)$428.00MN/A (Loss)
2022($156.00M)$0N/A (Loss)
2021$1.81B$00.0%
2020($1.64B)$188.00MN/A (Loss)
2019$2.96B$372.00M12.6%
2018$2.92B$332.00M11.4%
2017$1.68B$274.00M16.3%
2016$2.15B$222.00M10.3%
2015$1.09B$180.00M16.4%
2014$1.07B$139.00M12.9%
2013$1.04B$71.00M6.8%
2012$716.00M$22.00M3.1%
2011$417.00M$14.00M3.4%
2010$1.07B$13.00M1.2%
2009$400.00M$13.00M3.3%
2008($2.44B)$13.00MN/A (Loss)
2007$1.51B$14.00M0.9%
2006$7.00M$14.00M200.0%
2005$1.02B$14.00M1.4%
2004($618.00M)$14.00MN/A (Loss)
2003$98.00M$14.00M14.3%
2002($82.85M)$13.87MN/A (Loss)
2001$486.76M$13.44M2.8%
2000$163.64M$10.98M6.7%
1999($166.12M)$10.84MN/A (Loss)
1998($60.96M)$9.28MN/A (Loss)
1997($78.34M)$6.59MN/A (Loss)
1996($62.20M)$6.22MN/A (Loss)

Formula: FCF Payout Ratio TTM = trailing 4Q dividends paid / trailing 4Q free cash flow × 100

FCF payout and earnings payout:

  • FCF represents operating cash flow after capital expenditures
  • FCF payout compares dividends paid with free cash flow
  • FCF payout above 100% means dividends paid exceeded free cash flow for the period
  • Earnings payout compares dividends paid with net income

Reading the series: Use the chart and table to compare dividend payments with cash generation over time.

FCF Payout Ratio Formula & Definition

FCF Payout Ratio measures trailing dividends paid as a percentage of trailing free cash flow. Unlike earnings-based payout, it compares dividends with cash generated after capital expenditures.

Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute

FCF Payout Ratio FAQ

What is the FCF payout ratio for Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)?
The FCF payout ratio for LUV stock is 19.43%.
Is Southwest Airlines Co.'s FCF payout ratio high or low?
The FCF payout ratio of 19.43% is 22% above its 5-year average of 15.90%, around the middle of its 5-year range (10.35%–31.17%).
What is the TTM average FCF payout ratio for Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)?
The TTM average FCF payout ratio for LUV stock is 16.92%.
What is the 3Y average FCF payout ratio for Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)?
The 3Y average FCF payout ratio for LUV stock is 14.32%.
What is the 5Y average FCF payout ratio for Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)?
The 5Y average FCF payout ratio for LUV stock is 13.79%.
What is the 10Y average FCF payout ratio for Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)?
The 10Y average FCF payout ratio for LUV stock is 9.39%.
What is the 15Y average FCF payout ratio for Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)?
The 15Y average FCF payout ratio for LUV stock is 8.56%.

LUV FCF Payout Ratio History

DATEFCF PAYOUT RATIO
2020-06-3019.43%
2020-03-3127.02%
2019-12-3112.57%
2019-09-3013.08%
2019-06-3012.50%
2019-03-3110.99%
2018-12-3111.38%
2018-09-3013.28%
2018-06-3015.55%
2018-03-3127.51%
2017-12-3116.31%
2017-09-3016.71%
2017-06-3015.75%
2017-03-3111.64%
2016-12-3110.35%
2016-09-3013.49%
2016-06-3011.23%
2016-03-3113.87%
2015-12-3116.42%
2015-09-3013.69%
2015-06-3031.17%
2015-03-3113.57%
2014-12-3113.07%
2014-09-3011.51%
2014-06-308.07%
2014-03-318.56%
2013-12-316.79%
2013-09-306.91%
2013-06-305.52%
2013-03-3144.12%
2012-12-313.07%
2012-09-302.55%
2012-06-305.73%
2012-03-312.45%
2011-12-313.66%
2011-09-302.43%
2011-06-300.96%
2011-03-310.74%
2010-12-311.21%
2010-09-301.02%
2010-06-301.50%
2010-03-313.00%
2009-12-313.24%
2008-09-301.30%
2008-06-300.39%
2008-03-310.77%
2007-12-310.92%
2007-09-302.50%
2007-06-3060.87%
2006-12-31200.00%
2006-09-3019.18%
2006-06-301.26%
2006-03-311.34%
2005-12-311.37%
2005-09-301.99%
2005-06-305.98%
2004-03-3117.28%
2003-12-3114.29%
2003-09-3018.85%
2003-06-308.45%
2003-03-31181.81%

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.

Dallas, TX
71,506 employees
Industrials / Airlines, Airports & Air Services
Sector
Industrials
Industry
Airlines, Airports & Air Services
CEO
Robert E. Jordan