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

Updated on August 23, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	LUV	STN
Company Name	Southwest Airlines Co.	Stantec Inc.
Country	United States	Canada
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Passenger Airlines	Construction & Engineering
Market Capitalization	16.38 billion USD	12.15 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 2, 1980	August 5, 2005
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of LUV and STN 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	LUV	STN
5-Day Price Return	1.56%	-0.40%
13-Week Price Return	-4.33%	5.18%
26-Week Price Return	4.18%	35.70%
52-Week Price Return	16.65%	32.54%
Month-to-Date Return	0.81%	-1.66%
Year-to-Date Return	-7.26%	32.06%
10-Day Avg. Volume	7.38M	0.34M
3-Month Avg. Volume	11.72M	0.27M
3-Month Volatility	40.41%	15.63%
Beta	1.23	0.98

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

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.

STN

15.34%

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 29.61%
Q3: 17.18%
Median: 10.42%
Q1: 8.10%
Min: -0.10%

STN’s Return on Equity of 15.34% is on par with the norm for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

LUV vs. STN: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Construction & Engineering industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

STN

7.10%

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 11.14%
Q3: 6.17%
Median: 3.85%
Q1: 2.40%
Min: -0.05%

A Net Profit Margin of 7.10% places STN in the upper quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

LUV vs. STN: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Construction & Engineering industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

STN

9.22%

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 17.56%
Q3: 9.36%
Median: 5.46%
Q1: 3.47%
Min: -1.93%

STN’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.22% is around the midpoint for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

LUV vs. STN: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Construction & Engineering industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	LUV	STN
Return on Equity (TTM)	4.11%	15.34%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.20%	6.37%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	1.43%	7.10%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	1.15%	9.22%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	73.31%	54.44%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

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.

STN

1.29

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 1.98
Q3: 1.53
Median: 1.24
Q1: 1.05
Min: 0.66

STN’s Current Ratio of 1.29 aligns with the median group of the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

LUV vs. STN: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Construction & Engineering industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

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.

STN

0.69

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 2.49
Q3: 1.19
Median: 0.63
Q1: 0.29
Min: 0.00

STN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.69 is typical for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

LUV vs. STN: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Construction & Engineering industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

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.

STN

60.60

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 23.59
Q3: 14.49
Median: 8.20
Q1: 5.26
Min: -6.49

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 60.60, STN demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

LUV vs. STN: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Construction & Engineering industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	LUV	STN
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.56	1.29
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.45	1.26
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.51	0.69
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	9.27	60.60

Growth

Revenue Growth

LUV vs. STN: 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

LUV vs. STN: 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)

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.

STN

0.57%

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 6.28%
Q3: 3.25%
Median: 2.02%
Q1: 0.23%
Min: 0.00%

STN’s Dividend Yield of 0.57% is consistent with its peers in the Construction & Engineering industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

LUV vs. STN: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Construction & Engineering industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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.

STN

22.30%

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 139.17%
Q3: 69.47%
Median: 40.99%
Q1: 10.51%
Min: 0.00%

STN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 22.30% is within the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

LUV vs. STN: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Construction & Engineering industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	LUV	STN
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.58%	0.57%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	59.15%	22.30%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

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.

STN

38.90

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 36.96
Q3: 24.81
Median: 15.45
Q1: 12.51
Min: 2.74

At 38.90, STN’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Construction & Engineering industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

LUV vs. STN: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Construction & Engineering industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

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.

STN

2.76

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 3.22
Q3: 1.63
Median: 0.61
Q1: 0.48
Min: 0.11

STN’s P/S Ratio of 2.76 is in the upper echelon for the Construction & Engineering 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.

LUV vs. STN: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Construction & Engineering industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

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.

STN

4.38

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 5.74
Q3: 3.33
Median: 1.49
Q1: 1.20
Min: 0.23

STN’s P/B Ratio of 4.38 is in the upper tier for the Construction & Engineering 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 vs. STN: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Construction & Engineering industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	LUV	STN
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	42.24	38.90
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.60	2.76
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.31	4.38
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	44.16	27.08