JBHT vs. LUV: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 30, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	JBHT	LUV
Company Name	J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.	Southwest Airlines Co.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Ground Transportation	Passenger Airlines
Market Capitalization	14.11 billion USD	17.43 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	November 22, 1983	January 2, 1980
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of JBHT and LUV 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	JBHT	LUV
5-Day Price Return	1.67%	6.82%
13-Week Price Return	4.14%	1.62%
26-Week Price Return	-13.07%	11.34%
52-Week Price Return	-17.14%	17.70%
Month-to-Date Return	1.21%	7.31%
Year-to-Date Return	-14.57%	-1.28%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.11M	6.69M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.13M	11.46M
3-Month Volatility	30.50%	41.76%
Beta	1.28	1.23

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

JBHT

14.26%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 22.11%
Q3: 13.84%
Median: 9.66%
Q1: 7.55%
Min: 0.36%

In the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, JBHT’s Return on Equity of 14.26% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

LUV

4.11%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 49.96%
Q3: 28.15%
Median: 15.41%
Q1: 8.29%
Min: -11.01%

LUV’s Return on Equity of 4.11% is in the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

JBHT vs. LUV: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

JBHT

4.59%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 32.20%
Q3: 18.59%
Median: 7.11%
Q1: 4.13%
Min: -10.38%

JBHT’s Net Profit Margin of 4.59% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Ground Transportation industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

LUV

1.43%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 17.65%
Q3: 8.90%
Median: 5.80%
Q1: 2.02%
Min: -3.12%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry, LUV’s Net Profit Margin of 1.43% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

JBHT vs. LUV: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

JBHT

6.69%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 41.31%
Q3: 23.16%
Median: 11.33%
Q1: 6.82%
Min: -12.08%

JBHT’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.69% is in the lower quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

LUV

1.15%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 22.47%
Q3: 12.33%
Median: 8.62%
Q1: 4.43%
Min: -2.88%

LUV’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.15% is in the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

JBHT vs. LUV: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	JBHT	LUV
Return on Equity (TTM)	14.26%	4.11%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.69%	1.20%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	4.59%	1.43%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	6.69%	1.15%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	19.15%	73.31%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

JBHT

0.87

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 2.03
Q3: 1.26
Median: 0.89
Q1: 0.73
Min: 0.38

JBHT’s Current Ratio of 0.87 aligns with the median group of the Ground Transportation industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

LUV

0.56

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 1.46
Q3: 0.94
Median: 0.76
Q1: 0.54
Min: 0.17

LUV’s Current Ratio of 0.56 aligns with the median group of the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

JBHT vs. LUV: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Ground Transportation and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

JBHT

0.47

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 2.51
Q3: 1.51
Median: 1.06
Q1: 0.47
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, JBHT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.47 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

LUV

0.51

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 9.80
Q3: 4.82
Median: 1.30
Q1: 0.89
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry, LUV’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.51 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

JBHT vs. LUV: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Ground Transportation and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

JBHT

11.59

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 51.07
Q3: 22.54
Median: 7.94
Q1: 2.72
Min: -24.57

JBHT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 11.59 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

LUV

9.27

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 22.60
Q3: 16.29
Median: 6.75
Q1: 1.94
Min: -8.55

LUV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.27 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

JBHT vs. LUV: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	JBHT	LUV
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.87	0.56
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.64	0.45
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.47	0.51
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	11.59	9.27

Growth

Revenue Growth

JBHT vs. LUV: 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

JBHT vs. LUV: 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)

JBHT

1.23%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 5.44%
Q3: 2.49%
Median: 1.53%
Q1: 0.39%
Min: 0.00%

JBHT’s Dividend Yield of 1.23% is consistent with its peers in the Ground Transportation industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

LUV

2.58%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 6.71%
Q3: 3.95%
Median: 1.10%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

LUV’s Dividend Yield of 2.58% is consistent with its peers in the Passenger Airlines industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

JBHT vs. LUV: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

JBHT

31.37%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 137.07%
Q3: 74.71%
Median: 41.16%
Q1: 15.12%
Min: 0.00%

JBHT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.37% is within the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

LUV

59.15%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 71.59%
Q3: 38.54%
Median: 8.16%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

LUV’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 59.15% is in the upper quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

JBHT vs. LUV: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	JBHT	LUV
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.23%	2.58%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	31.37%	59.15%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

JBHT

25.51

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 42.59
Q3: 24.86
Median: 16.38
Q1: 12.79
Min: 4.37

A P/E Ratio of 25.51 places JBHT in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

LUV

42.24

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 13.29
Q3: 11.94
Median: 8.78
Q1: 7.42
Min: 3.07

At 42.24, LUV’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Passenger Airlines industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

JBHT vs. LUV: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

JBHT

1.17

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 4.02
Q3: 2.20
Median: 1.23
Q1: 0.87
Min: 0.22

JBHT’s P/S Ratio of 1.17 aligns with the market consensus for the Ground Transportation industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

LUV

0.60

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 1.09
Q3: 0.74
Median: 0.61
Q1: 0.44
Min: 0.09

LUV’s P/S Ratio of 0.60 aligns with the market consensus for the Passenger Airlines industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

JBHT vs. LUV: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

JBHT

3.80

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 4.95
Q3: 2.78
Median: 1.38
Q1: 1.17
Min: 0.64

JBHT’s P/B Ratio of 3.80 is in the upper tier for the Ground Transportation 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.

LUV

2.31

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 3.44
Q3: 2.89
Median: 1.84
Q1: 1.22
Min: 0.56

LUV’s P/B Ratio of 2.31 is within the conventional range for the Passenger Airlines 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.

JBHT vs. LUV: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Ground Transportation and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	JBHT	LUV
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	25.51	42.24
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.17	0.60
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	3.80	2.31
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	23.53	44.16