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 Overview
CW’s market capitalization of 18.39 billion USD is significantly greater than AIR’s 2.58 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
With betas of 1.43 for AIR and 1.14 for CW, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | AIR | CW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AAR Corp. | Curtiss-Wright Corporation |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Aerospace & Defense |
| CEO | John McClain Holmes III | Lynn M. Bamford |
| Price | 71.46 USD | 487.97 USD |
| Market Cap | 2.58 billion USD | 18.39 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.43 | 1.14 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | March 17, 1980 | March 17, 1980 |
| ADR | No | No |
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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AIR
-1.04%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 42.57%
- Q3
- 16.67%
- Median
- 8.39%
- Q1
- -0.77%
- Min
- -23.36%
AIR has a negative Return on Equity of -1.04%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
CW
17.27%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 42.57%
- Q3
- 16.67%
- Median
- 8.39%
- Q1
- -0.77%
- Min
- -23.36%
In the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, CW’s Return on Equity of 17.27% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
AIR
-17.13%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 23.42%
- Q3
- 8.86%
- Median
- 5.47%
- Q1
- -5.60%
- Min
- -22.46%
AIR has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -17.13%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
CW
11.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 23.42%
- Q3
- 8.86%
- Median
- 5.47%
- Q1
- -5.60%
- Min
- -22.46%
In the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, CW’s Return on Invested Capital of 11.00% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
AIR
-0.46%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.67%
- Q3
- 8.04%
- Median
- 4.95%
- Q1
- -5.07%
- Min
- -16.58%
AIR has a negative Net Profit Margin of -0.46%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
CW
13.37%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.67%
- Q3
- 8.04%
- Median
- 4.95%
- Q1
- -5.07%
- Min
- -16.58%
A Net Profit Margin of 13.37% 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
AIR
5.84%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.01%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 8.96%
- Q1
- 3.77%
- Min
- -4.96%
AIR’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.84% is around the midpoint for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
CW
17.45%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.01%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 8.96%
- Q1
- 3.77%
- Min
- -4.96%
An Operating Profit Margin of 17.45% places CW in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AIR | CW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -1.04% | 17.27% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -0.43% | 8.68% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | -17.13% | 11.00% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.46% | 13.37% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.84% | 17.45% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.82% | 37.10% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AIR
2.82
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 5.13
- Q3
- 3.36
- Median
- 2.16
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.41
AIR’s Current Ratio of 2.82 aligns with the median group of the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
CW
1.89
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 5.13
- Q3
- 3.36
- Median
- 2.16
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.41
CW’s Current Ratio of 1.89 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
AIR
0.92
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.20
- Q3
- 0.73
- Median
- 0.51
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
AIR’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Aerospace & Defense industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.92. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
CW
0.44
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.20
- Q3
- 0.73
- Median
- 0.51
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
CW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.44 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AIR
2.06
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 12.62
- Q3
- 7.38
- Median
- 2.95
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -6.68
AIR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.06 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
CW
12.62
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 12.62
- Q3
- 7.38
- Median
- 2.95
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -6.68
CW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.62 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AIR | CW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 2.82 | 1.89 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.39 | 1.28 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.92 | 0.44 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.38 | 0.23 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 7.43 | 1.27 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.06 | 12.62 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AIR and CW. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AIR
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 6.00%
- Q3
- 0.66%
- Median
- 0.00%
- 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
- 6.00%
- Q3
- 0.66%
- Median
- 0.00%
- 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
AIR
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 172.02%
- Q3
- 32.47%
- Median
- 0.00%
- 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
7.36%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 172.02%
- Q3
- 32.47%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 7.36% 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% | 7.36% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AIR
-204.01
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 75.34
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 38.63
- Q1
- 26.10
- Min
- 16.44
AIR has a negative P/E Ratio of -204.01. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
CW
42.78
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 75.34
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 38.63
- Q1
- 26.10
- Min
- 16.44
CW’s P/E Ratio of 42.78 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.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AIR
-12.58
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 10.68
- Q3
- 5.36
- Median
- 2.31
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.01
AIR has a negative Forward PEG Ratio of -12.58. This typically results from negative earnings or forecasts of declining future earnings, making the ratio not meaningful for valuation.
CW
4.05
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 10.68
- Q3
- 5.36
- Median
- 2.31
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.01
CW’s Forward PEG Ratio of 4.05 is within the middle range of its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AIR
0.96
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 19.34
- Q3
- 9.54
- Median
- 2.71
- Q1
- 1.59
- Min
- 0.35
In the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, AIR’s P/S Ratio of 0.96 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
5.72
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 19.34
- Q3
- 9.54
- Median
- 2.71
- Q1
- 1.59
- Min
- 0.35
CW’s P/S Ratio of 5.72 aligns with the market consensus for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AIR
2.14
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.08
- Q3
- 8.12
- Median
- 4.12
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.69
AIR’s P/B Ratio of 2.14 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
7.19
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.08
- Q3
- 8.12
- Median
- 4.12
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.69
CW’s P/B Ratio of 7.19 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 (P/E, TTM) | -204.01 | 42.78 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | -12.58 | 4.05 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 0.96 | 5.72 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 2.14 | 7.19 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -430.00 | 37.81 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 26.48 | 27.39 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 1.34 | 6.00 |