HWM vs. JBLU: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 9, 2025

Here’s a clear look at HWM and JBLU, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	HWM	JBLU
Company Name	Howmet Aerospace Inc.	JetBlue Airways Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Aerospace & Defense	Passenger Airlines
Market Capitalization	76.79 billion USD	1.77 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	November 1, 2016	April 12, 2002
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of HWM and JBLU 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.

HWM vs. JBLU: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	HWM	JBLU
5-Day Price Return	-2.93%	-0.81%
13-Week Price Return	5.68%	13.49%
26-Week Price Return	44.54%	2.09%
52-Week Price Return	89.06%	-23.63%
Month-to-Date Return	-2.93%	-0.81%
Year-to-Date Return	74.16%	-37.91%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.03M	15.82M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.85M	19.50M
3-Month Volatility	25.79%	50.74%
Beta	1.34	1.79

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

HWM

29.58%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 37.11%
Q3: 20.14%
Median: 11.72%
Q1: 6.30%
Min: -6.24%

In the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, HWM’s Return on Equity of 29.58% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

JBLU

-15.23%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 49.96%
Q3: 27.29%
Median: 16.68%
Q1: 8.40%
Min: -15.23%

JBLU has a negative Return on Equity of -15.23%. 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.

HWM vs. JBLU: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

HWM

18.09%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 13.66%
Q3: 8.61%
Median: 6.59%
Q1: 4.92%
Min: 1.01%

HWM’s Net Profit Margin of 18.09% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.

JBLU

-4.22%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 16.00%
Q3: 8.99%
Median: 6.35%
Q1: 3.18%
Min: -4.22%

JBLU has a negative Net Profit Margin of -4.22%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

HWM vs. JBLU: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

HWM

24.28%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 22.35%
Q3: 12.83%
Median: 9.29%
Q1: 6.38%
Min: -2.15%

HWM’s Operating Profit Margin of 24.28% 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.

JBLU

-1.84%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 22.47%
Q3: 12.67%
Median: 8.62%
Q1: 4.63%
Min: -2.30%

JBLU has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -1.84%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

HWM vs. JBLU: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	HWM	JBLU
Return on Equity (TTM)	29.58%	-15.23%
Return on Assets (TTM)	13.03%	-2.29%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	18.09%	-4.22%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	24.28%	-1.84%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	32.69%	69.00%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

HWM

2.31

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 3.35
Q3: 2.03
Median: 1.24
Q1: 1.04
Min: 0.77

HWM’s Current Ratio of 2.31 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.

JBLU

0.88

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 1.44
Q3: 0.91
Median: 0.73
Q1: 0.54
Min: 0.18

JBLU’s Current Ratio of 0.88 aligns with the median group of the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

HWM vs. JBLU: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

HWM

0.65

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 1.72
Q3: 0.96
Median: 0.63
Q1: 0.37
Min: 0.03

HWM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.65 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.

JBLU

3.51

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 10.23
Q3: 5.04
Median: 1.27
Q1: 0.82
Min: 0.00

JBLU’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.51 is typical for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

HWM vs. JBLU: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

HWM

7.92

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 36.57
Q3: 19.08
Median: 7.25
Q1: 2.65
Min: -7.63

HWM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.92 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

JBLU

-2.37

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 22.60
Q3: 17.27
Median: 6.75
Q1: 1.94
Min: -8.55

JBLU has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -2.37. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

HWM vs. JBLU: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	HWM	JBLU
Current Ratio (MRQ)	2.31	0.88
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.91	0.79
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.65	3.51
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	7.92	-2.37

Growth

Revenue Growth

HWM vs. JBLU: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

HWM vs. JBLU: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

HWM

0.20%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 2.72%
Q3: 1.45%
Median: 0.48%
Q1: 0.08%
Min: 0.00%

HWM’s Dividend Yield of 0.20% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

JBLU

0.00%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 7.04%
Q3: 3.76%
Median: 1.72%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

JBLU 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.

HWM vs. JBLU: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

HWM

10.74%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 110.40%
Q3: 50.43%
Median: 17.11%
Q1: 0.46%
Min: 0.00%

HWM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 10.74% is within the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

JBLU

0.00%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 99.73%
Q3: 50.30%
Median: 23.18%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

JBLU 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.

HWM vs. JBLU: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	HWM	JBLU
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.20%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	10.74%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

HWM

54.91

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 67.20
Q3: 55.74
Median: 33.28
Q1: 27.49
Min: 15.02

HWM’s P/E Ratio of 54.91 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.

JBLU

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 18.74
Q3: 11.24
Median: 8.33
Q1: 6.11
Min: 2.97

P/E Ratio data for JBLU is currently unavailable.

HWM vs. JBLU: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

HWM

9.94

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 9.06
Q3: 4.87
Median: 2.47
Q1: 1.61
Min: 0.33

With a P/S Ratio of 9.94, HWM trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

JBLU

0.19

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 1.07
Q3: 0.73
Median: 0.62
Q1: 0.40
Min: 0.09

In the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry, JBLU’s P/S Ratio of 0.19 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.

HWM vs. JBLU: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

HWM

14.90

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 14.90
Q3: 8.93
Median: 4.70
Q1: 3.03
Min: 0.83

HWM’s P/B Ratio of 14.90 is in the upper tier for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

JBLU

0.62

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 3.47
Q3: 3.19
Median: 1.94
Q1: 1.28
Min: 0.50

JBLU’s P/B Ratio of 0.62 is in the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines 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.

HWM vs. JBLU: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	HWM	JBLU
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	54.91	--
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	9.94	0.19
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	14.90	0.62
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	75.35	7.58