About Southwest Airlines Co.
Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) has been publicly traded since 1980, making it a 46-year-old public company. It operates in the Airlines industry within the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Dallas, United States and employs approximately 77,397 people. With a market capitalization of $20 billion, LUV is a large established company.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- $38.46
- Market Cap
- $19.89B
- 52-Week High
- $55.11
- 52-Week Low
- $23.82
- Sector
- Industrials
- Industry
- Airlines
$1,000 Invested
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Annual Returns
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -6.54% | $41.15 | $38.46 |
| 2025 | +25.62% | $32.76 | $41.15 |
| 2024 | +19.11% | $27.50 | $32.76 |
| 2023 | -11.82% | $31.19 | $27.50 |
| 2022 | -21.41% | $39.69 | $31.19 |
| 2021 | -8.09% | $43.18 | $39.69 |
| 2020 | -13.32% | $49.81 | $43.18 |
| 2019 | +17.72% | $42.32 | $49.81 |
| 2018 | -28.21% | $58.95 | $42.32 |
| 2017 | +32.40% | $44.52 | $58.95 |
| 2016 | +16.80% | $38.12 | $44.52 |
| 2015 | +2.44% | $37.21 | $38.12 |
| 2014 | +126.31% | $16.44 | $37.21 |
| 2013 | +85.59% | $8.86 | $16.44 |
| 2012 | +20.09% | $7.38 | $8.86 |
| 2011 | -33.91% | $11.16 | $7.38 |
| 2010 | +13.75% | $9.82 | $11.16 |
| 2009 | +32.94% | $7.38 | $9.82 |
| 2008 | -29.23% | $10.43 | $7.38 |
| 2007 | -20.26% | $13.08 | $10.43 |
| 2006 | -6.64% | $14.01 | $13.08 |
| 2005 | +1.06% | $13.87 | $14.01 |
| 2004 | +1.00% | $13.73 | $13.87 |
| 2003 | +16.26% | $11.81 | $13.73 |
| 2002 | -24.69% | $15.68 | $11.81 |
| 2001 | -17.25% | $18.95 | $15.68 |
| 2000 | +108.17% | $9.10 | $18.95 |
| 1999 | +6.73% | $8.53 | $9.10 |
| 1998 | +38.40% | $6.16 | $8.53 |
| 1997 | +68.19% | $3.66 | $6.16 |
| 1996 | -4.20% | $3.82 | $3.66 |
| 1995 | +37.56% | $2.78 | $3.82 |
| 1994 | -55.12% | $6.19 | $2.78 |
| 1993 | +90.30% | $3.25 | $6.19 |
| 1992 | +73.33% | $1.88 | $3.25 |
| 1991 | +95.74% | $0.96 | $1.88 |
| 1990 | +10.01% | $0.87 | $0.96 |
| 1989 | +19.18% | $0.73 | $0.87 |
| 1988 | +52.54% | $0.48 | $0.73 |
| 1987 | -34.71% | $0.73 | $0.48 |
| 1986 | -22.81% | $0.95 | $0.73 |
| 1985 | +22.75% | $0.78 | $0.95 |
| 1984 | -18.61% | $0.95 | $0.78 |
| 1983 | +28.29% | $0.74 | $0.95 |
| 1982 | +85.84% | $0.40 | $0.74 |
| 1981 | +1.07% | $0.40 | $0.40 |
Valuation
LUV currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 49.1, which is considered high relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 7.9 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 2.5. The price-to-sales ratio is 0.7.
Dividends
Southwest Airlines Co. pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 1.86%. This translates to $0.72 per share annually. The payout ratio of 91% indicates high dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
LUV has a beta of 1.09, indicating it is slightly more volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is $23.82 to $55.11, and it currently trades in the lower half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 23 analyst opinions, LUV has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target of $48.78 suggests 25.9% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Southwest Airlines Co. do? ▼
Southwest Airlines Co. is a Airlines company operating in the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Dallas, United States.
What sector is LUV in? ▼
LUV operates in the Industrials sector, specifically in the Airlines industry.
When did LUV go public? ▼
Southwest Airlines Co. went public in 1980, making it a 46-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would $1,000 invested in LUV 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A $1,000 investment in LUV five years ago would be worth approximately $704 today, representing a -29.6% return.
Does LUV pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Southwest Airlines Co. pays a dividend with a current yield of 1.86%, which is $0.72 per share annually.
What is LUV's market cap? ▼
Southwest Airlines Co. has a market capitalization of $20 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is LUV's P/E ratio? ▼
LUV has a trailing P/E ratio of 49.1 and a forward P/E of 7.9, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is LUV a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 23 opinions, LUV has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target is $48.78.
Last updated: 3/14/2026