TORVANTA
Compare · data as of 2026-10-07

LUV vs UAL: Southwest Airlines vs United Airlines

Southwest Airlines (LUV) and United Airlines (UAL) on Torvanta's measures: LUV grades higher on 1 of the 4 factor families and UAL on 2.

LUVUAL
Value gradeBA-
Growth gradeA-C-
Profitability gradeD+C
Momentum gradeCC
Market value$20.4B$35.8B
P/E (trailing)26.1x10.3x
Forward P/E (Torvanta model estimate)13.4x11.7x
Revenue, last 12 months$30.1B$62.9B
Revenue growth (y/y)+9%+8%
Operating margin3.5%7.7%
Return on invested capital24.8%58.3%
Free-cash-flow yield-2.2%7.1%
Total return, 1 year+31.1%+14.0%
Total return, 3 years+64.2%+163.4%

Full LUV analysis · Full UAL analysis

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, LUV or UAL?

Southwest Airlines (LUV) and United Airlines (UAL) on Torvanta's measures: LUV grades higher on 1 of the 4 factor families and UAL on 2. Which fits an investor depends on their goals; this is research, not a recommendation. Subscribers see where the model ranks each and its expected return.

Which is cheaper, LUV or UAL?

On trailing earnings LUV trades at 26.1x and UAL at 10.3x; their value grades are B and A- against their sectors.

See the model's view

Subscribers get the model's rank and expected return for every covered company, the reasoning behind each, and the Torvanta model portfolio's trades each trading day, sized and explained, at three risk levels.

See plans Or get the free weekly newsletter

Torvanta is research only - not investment advice and not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Grades describe a company's reported data against its sector; they are not the model's view, change as data changes and can be wrong. Financial figures come from the company's SEC filings; returns include reinvested dividends. Past performance does not predict future results.

All stock ratings · Stock lists · AI stock research · Model portfolio · Research · Disclaimer