Copa S.A. (CPA) vs Southwest Airlines (LUV)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Southwest Airlines (LUV) has outperformed Copa S.A. (CPA) over the past year, gaining 28.8% versus a gain of 13.0%. Over five years, CPA leads with a +62.6% price change compared with -17.2% for LUV. Southwest Airlines is the larger company by market cap ($20.23 billion vs $5.49 billion), about 3.7 times the size, while Copa S.A. is growing revenue faster (+5.0% vs +2.1%).
On valuation, Copa S.A. trades at a lower forward P/E (7.1x vs 9.5x for Southwest Airlines). Copa S.A. offers the higher dividend yield (4.94% vs 1.74%). Copa S.A. converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.6% versus 1.6%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CPA | LUV |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $134.52 | $41.36 |
| Market cap | $5.49B | $20.23B |
| 1-day change | -1.28% | -0.86% |
| YTD return | +12.98% | +0.94% |
| 1-year return | +13.04% | +28.81% |
| 5-year return | +62.63% | -17.16% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.84 | 25.85 |
| Forward P/E | 7.05 | 9.49 |
| EPS (TTM) | $15.21 | $1.60 |
| Dividend yield | 4.94% | 1.74% |
| Annual dividend | $6.64 | $0.72 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.62B | $28.06B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.98% | +2.11% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $671.65M | $441.00M |
| Operating margin | 22.64% | 1.53% |
| Net margin | 18.56% | 1.57% |
| 52-week high | $160.47 | $55.11 |
| 52-week low | $107.44 | $29.26 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.17% | -24.95% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +32.87% | +19.54% |
| Average volume | 298.10K | 5.33M |
| Shares outstanding | 29.88M | 489.21M |
| Employees | 8,565 | 73,456 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Air Freight/Delivery Services | Air Freight/Delivery Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Southwest Airlines is about 3.7 times larger than Copa S.A. by market value ($20.23B vs $5.49B).
- LUV has outperformed CPA by 15.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Southwest Airlines trades at a higher earnings multiple (25.9x vs 8.8x trailing P/E).
- Copa S.A. offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.94% vs 1.74%).
- Copa S.A. is more profitable, keeping 18.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 1.6 cents for Southwest Airlines.
About Copa S.A.
CPA stock →Copa Holdings, S.A., through its subsidiaries, provides airline passenger, and cargo and mail transportation services in North America, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. As of December 31, 2025, it operated through a fleet of 125 aircraft.
Consumer Discretionary · Air Freight/Delivery Services · 8,565 employees
About Southwest Airlines
LUV stock →Southwest Airlines Co. operates as a passenger airline company that provides scheduled air transportation services in the United States and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Air Freight/Delivery Services · 73,456 employees
CPA vs LUV FAQ
Which is bigger, Copa S.A. or Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines (LUV) is larger, with a market capitalization of $20.23B compared with $5.49B for Copa S.A. (CPA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CPA or LUV?
LUV returned +28.81% over the past 12 months, compared with +13.04% for CPA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CPA or LUV?
CPA has the lower trailing P/E at 8.8, versus 25.9 for LUV. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Copa S.A. or Southwest Airlines?
Copa S.A. has the higher yield at 4.94%, compared with 1.74% for Southwest Airlines.
Are Copa S.A. and Southwest Airlines in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Air Freight/Delivery Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.