Southwest Airlines Co.

LUV · Industrials

About Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)

Southwest Airlines Co. is a Airlines company operating in the Industrials sector.

LUV trades on the US stock exchanges (NYSE/NASDAQ) and is classified as a large-cap stock .

Sector
Industrials
Industry
Airlines

Key Statistics

Current Price
$40.35
Market Cap
$20.87B
52-Week High
$55.11
52-Week Low
$23.82
Sector
Industrials
Industry
Airlines

$1,000 Invested in Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV)

1 Year
$1,182
+18%
3 Years
$1,435
+44%
5 Years
$705
+-29%
10 Years
$1,043
+4%
Since IPO
$256,589
+25559%

How much would $1,000 invested in LUV be worth today?

What would $1,000 invested in LUV 1 year ago be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) in 2025 would be worth $1,182 as of May 2026, representing a +18.2% total return.

What would $1,000 invested in LUV 3 years ago be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) in 2023 would be worth $1,435 as of May 2026, representing a +43.5% total return.

What would $1,000 invested in LUV 5 years ago be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) in 2021 would be worth $705 as of May 2026, representing a -29.5% total return.

What would $1,000 invested in LUV 10 years ago be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) in 2016 would be worth $1,043 as of May 2026, representing a +4.3% total return.

What would $1,000 invested in LUV at IPO be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) at IPO would be worth $256,589 as of May 2026, representing a +25558.9% total return.

Monthly Returns Heatmap

Avg Monthly Return
+1.50%
Positive Months
300
54% of 554
Negative Months
249
45% of 554
Data Period
46+ years
554 months
Best Performers
Best month ever: Jan 1991 (+35.0%)
Best month on avg: November (+5.8%)
Worst Performers
Worst month ever: Jul 1981 (-26.8%)
Worst month on avg: August (-1.6%)

Over the past 46+ years (554 months), Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) has averaged a monthly return of +1.50% with a median return of +1.47%. The stock had 300 positive months (54%) and 249 negative months (45%). The best month in LUV's history was January 1991 with a +35.0% return, while the worst was July 1981 at -26.8%. Historically, November tends to be the strongest month (averaging +5.8%), and August the weakest (-1.6%).

LUV's longest winning streak was 17 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 7 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2014 with a cumulative return of +86.2%, and the worst was 1994 at -74.2%.

Annual Returns

Over 46 years of trading history, Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) has delivered an average annual return of +17.33% with a median return of +11.88%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +10.55%. The stock posted gains in 29 years (63%) and losses in 17 years (37%).

LUV's best year was 2014 with a +126.31% gain, while the worst was 1994 at -55.12%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 6, and the longest losing streak was 4 years. LUV achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 24 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 13 years.

Avg Return
+17.33%
Best Year
2014 (+126.31%)
Worst Year
1994 (-55.12%)
Positive Years
29/46
Year Return Start End
2026 -1.95% $41.15 $40.35
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

Frequently Asked Questions: LUV

What sector is LUV in?

LUV operates in the Industrials sector, specifically in the Airlines industry.

How has LUV performed historically?

Over 46 years of trading history, LUV has posted gains in 29 years (63% of the time). The best year was 2014 with a +126.3% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

How can I invest in LUV?

You can invest in LUV through any brokerage account that offers access to US stock exchanges. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold LUV.

Last updated: 3/24/2026