LUV vs. XPO: Southwest Airlines vs. XPO Stock Comparison
How do Southwest Airlines (LUV) and XPO (XPO) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Southwest Airlines (LUV) and XPO (XPO) both fall under the Transportation industry group, but LUV is classified in Passenger Airlines while XPO is classified in Ground Transportation.
| Profile Item | LUV | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Southwest Airlines Co. | XPO, Inc. |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry Group | Transportation | Transportation |
| GICS Industry | Passenger Airlines | Ground Transportation |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Passenger Airlines | Cargo Ground Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 21.76 billion USD | 20.62 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1980 | October 7, 2003 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | LUV | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 44.35% | 32.98% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 28.08% | 32.39% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -0.31% | 32.42% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | LUV | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 44.46% | 41.59% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.19 | 1.88 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -55.39% | -46.99% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 5.76M | 1.09M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | LUV | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.90 | 0.69 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.51 | 1.05 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
XPO (XPO) at 26.54% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Southwest Airlines (LUV) at 13.94% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for XPO.
LUV
Transportation industry group
13.94%
- Max
- 45.08%
- Q3
- 22.02%
- LUV
- 13.94%
- Median
- 13.94%
- Q1
- 2.89%
- Min
- -10.45%
XPO
Transportation industry group
26.54%
- Max
- 45.08%
- XPO
- 26.54%
- Q3
- 22.02%
- Median
- 13.94%
- Q1
- 2.89%
- Min
- -10.45%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Southwest Airlines (LUV) at 3.34% and XPO (XPO) at 5.69% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
LUV
Transportation industry group
3.34%
- Max
- 50.36%
- Q3
- 21.18%
- Median
- 5.58%
- LUV
- 3.34%
- Q1
- 1.55%
- Min
- -11.37%
XPO
Transportation industry group
5.69%
- Max
- 50.36%
- Q3
- 21.18%
- XPO
- 5.69%
- Median
- 5.58%
- Q1
- 1.55%
- Min
- -11.37%
Operating Margin (TTM)
XPO (XPO) at 12.60% runs core operations around its industry’s norm, while Southwest Airlines (LUV) at 4.49% operates in the bottom quartile.
LUV
Transportation industry group
4.49%
- Max
- 59.18%
- Q3
- 29.30%
- Median
- 11.50%
- Q1
- 4.62%
- LUV
- 4.49%
- Min
- -8.91%
XPO
Transportation industry group
12.60%
- Max
- 59.18%
- Q3
- 29.30%
- XPO
- 12.60%
- Median
- 11.50%
- Q1
- 4.62%
- Min
- -8.91%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | LUV | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 13.94% | 26.54% |
| ROA (TTM) | 3.05% | 7.12% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 3.34% | 5.69% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 4.49% | 12.60% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 22.14% | 19.30% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Southwest Airlines (LUV) at 2.11% and XPO (XPO) at 1.05% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Both Southwest Airlines (LUV) at 3.95% and XPO (XPO) at -18.27% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | LUV | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 2.11% | 1.05% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 5.63% | 1.86% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 3.95% | -18.27% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -3.16% | -22.90% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
XPO (XPO) at 0.99 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Southwest Airlines (LUV) at 0.47 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for LUV.
LUV
Transportation industry group
0.47
- Max
- 2.58
- Q3
- 1.62
- Median
- 1.16
- Q1
- 0.78
- LUV
- 0.47
- Min
- 0.22
XPO
Transportation industry group
0.99
- Max
- 2.58
- Q3
- 1.62
- Median
- 1.16
- XPO
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.78
- Min
- 0.22
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Southwest Airlines (LUV) at 0.94 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while XPO (XPO) at 2.01 uses more debt funding than most peers.
LUV
Transportation industry group
0.94
- Max
- 2.75
- Q3
- 1.37
- LUV
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.78
- Q1
- 0.35
- Min
- 0.00
XPO
Transportation industry group
2.01
- Max
- 2.75
- XPO
- 2.01
- Q3
- 1.37
- Median
- 0.78
- Q1
- 0.35
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | LUV | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.47 | 0.99 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.94 | 2.01 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.21 | 2.53 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
XPO (XPO) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Southwest Airlines (LUV) reports a yield of 1.62%, ranking against industry peers normally.
LUV
Transportation industry group
1.62%
- Max
- 4.68%
- Q3
- 1.99%
- LUV
- 1.62%
- Median
- 0.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
XPO
Transportation industry group
0.00%
- Max
- 4.68%
- Q3
- 1.99%
- Median
- 0.74%
- XPO
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
XPO (XPO) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Southwest Airlines (LUV) reports a payout of 35.12%, ranking against industry peers normally.
LUV
Transportation industry group
35.12%
- Max
- 100.89%
- Q3
- 41.68%
- LUV
- 35.12%
- Median
- 20.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
XPO
Transportation industry group
0.00%
- Max
- 100.89%
- Q3
- 41.68%
- Median
- 20.43%
- XPO
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | LUV | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.62% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 35.12% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Southwest Airlines (LUV) at 21.68 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while XPO (XPO) at 41.64 sits in the richer quartile — XPO needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
LUV
Transportation industry group
21.68
- Max
- 46.76
- Q3
- 30.87
- LUV
- 21.68
- Median
- 20.58
- Q1
- 10.44
- Min
- 0.00
XPO
Transportation industry group
41.64
- Max
- 46.76
- XPO
- 41.64
- Q3
- 30.87
- Median
- 20.58
- Q1
- 10.44
- Min
- 0.00
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Southwest Airlines (LUV) at 0.69 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while XPO (XPO) at 2.33 sits in the pricier quartile — XPO costs more per dollar of sales.
LUV
Transportation industry group
0.69
- Max
- 4.35
- Q3
- 2.07
- Median
- 0.93
- LUV
- 0.69
- Q1
- 0.53
- Min
- 0.04
XPO
Transportation industry group
2.33
- Max
- 4.35
- XPO
- 2.33
- Q3
- 2.07
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.53
- Min
- 0.04
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Southwest Airlines (LUV) at 2.97 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while XPO (XPO) at 10.45 prices above its benchmark range — XPO looks rich relative to book.
LUV
Transportation industry group
2.97
- Max
- 6.29
- Q3
- 3.39
- LUV
- 2.97
- Median
- 1.90
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- -2.07
XPO
Transportation industry group
10.45
- XPO
- 10.45
- Max
- 6.29
- Q3
- 3.39
- Median
- 1.90
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- -2.07
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | LUV | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 21.68 | 41.64 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 0.69 | 2.33 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 2.97 | 10.45 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -2.82% | 2.71% |