AIR vs. CW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AIR and CW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AIR | CW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AAR Corp. | Curtiss-Wright Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Capitalization | 2.73 billion USD | 18.12 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AIR and CW by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AIR | CW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.09% | -2.57% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 25.61% | 15.77% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 16.59% | 47.72% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 19.72% | 59.56% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.49% | -1.90% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 23.73% | 35.52% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.39M | 0.29M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.33M | 0.32M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 38.85% | 27.28% |
| Beta | 1.52 | 1.14 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AIR
1.04%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 43.89%
- Q3
- 22.42%
- Median
- 12.50%
- Q1
- 5.21%
- Min
- -6.24%
AIR’s Return on Equity of 1.04% is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
CW
17.68%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 43.89%
- Q3
- 22.42%
- Median
- 12.50%
- Q1
- 5.21%
- Min
- -6.24%
CW’s Return on Equity of 17.68% is on par with the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AIR
0.45%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.54%
- Q3
- 8.08%
- Median
- 6.17%
- Q1
- 2.49%
- Min
- -1.63%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, AIR’s Net Profit Margin of 0.45% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
CW
13.66%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.54%
- Q3
- 8.08%
- Median
- 6.17%
- Q1
- 2.49%
- Min
- -1.63%
A Net Profit Margin of 13.66% places CW in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AIR
4.06%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.63%
- Q3
- 10.38%
- Median
- 8.29%
- Q1
- 6.21%
- Min
- 0.95%
AIR’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.06% is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
CW
17.71%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.63%
- Q3
- 10.38%
- Median
- 8.29%
- Q1
- 6.21%
- Min
- 0.95%
CW’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.71% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AIR | CW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 1.04% | 17.68% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 0.44% | 9.02% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 0.45% | 13.66% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.06% | 17.71% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.98% | 37.34% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AIR
2.72
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.09
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.02
AIR’s Current Ratio of 2.72 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
CW
1.95
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.09
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.02
CW’s Current Ratio of 1.95 aligns with the median group of the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AIR
0.80
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.70
- Q3
- 1.04
- Median
- 0.68
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.00
AIR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.80 is typical for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
CW
0.35
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.70
- Q3
- 1.04
- Median
- 0.68
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, CW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.35 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AIR
1.57
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.90
- Median
- 7.04
- Q1
- 2.40
- Min
- -7.63
In the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, AIR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.57 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
CW
12.64
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.90
- Median
- 7.04
- Q1
- 2.40
- Min
- -7.63
CW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.64 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AIR | CW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.72 | 1.95 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.26 | 1.35 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.80 | 0.35 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 1.57 | 12.64 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AIR
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.03%
- Q3
- 1.22%
- Median
- 0.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AIR currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
CW
0.18%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.03%
- Q3
- 1.22%
- Median
- 0.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CW’s Dividend Yield of 0.18% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AIR
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 83.87%
- Q3
- 49.90%
- Median
- 16.48%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AIR has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
CW
9.12%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 83.87%
- Q3
- 49.90%
- Median
- 16.48%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 9.12% is within the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AIR | CW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.18% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 9.12% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AIR
207.38
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 65.97
- Q3
- 54.11
- Median
- 34.53
- Q1
- 23.66
- Min
- 0.00
At 207.38, AIR’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
CW
40.03
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 65.97
- Q3
- 54.11
- Median
- 34.53
- Q1
- 23.66
- Min
- 0.00
CW’s P/E Ratio of 40.03 is within the middle range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AIR
0.93
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 8.07
- Q3
- 4.49
- Median
- 2.42
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, AIR’s P/S Ratio of 0.93 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
CW
5.47
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 8.07
- Q3
- 4.49
- Median
- 2.42
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.00
CW’s P/S Ratio of 5.47 is in the upper echelon for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AIR
1.86
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.67
- Q3
- 7.92
- Median
- 4.65
- Q1
- 2.68
- Min
- 0.82
AIR’s P/B Ratio of 1.86 is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
CW
6.79
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.67
- Q3
- 7.92
- Median
- 4.65
- Q1
- 2.68
- Min
- 0.82
CW’s P/B Ratio of 6.79 is within the conventional range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AIR | CW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 207.38 | 40.03 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.93 | 5.47 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.86 | 6.79 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 47.05 | 32.39 |