Curtiss-Wright (CW) vs Elbit Systems (ESLT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
Elbit Systems (ESLT) has outperformed Curtiss-Wright (CW) over the past year, gaining 27.2% versus a loss of 7.6%. Over five years, ESLT leads with a +348.7% price change compared with +289.9% for CW. Elbit Systems is the larger company by market cap ($30.73 billion vs $18.93 billion), about 1.6 times the size.
On valuation, Curtiss-Wright trades at a lower forward P/E (29.9x vs 35.7x for Elbit Systems). Elbit Systems offers the higher dividend yield (0.57% vs 0.19%). Curtiss-Wright converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.8% versus 6.7%.
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 | CW | ESLT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $512.60 | $655.74 |
| Market cap | $18.93B | $30.73B |
| 1-day change | +1.05% | -1.41% |
| YTD return | -7.01% | +15.13% |
| 1-year return | -7.61% | +27.17% |
| 5-year return | +289.93% | +348.66% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 35.30 | 49.34 |
| Forward P/E | 29.88 | 35.71 |
| EPS (TTM) | $14.52 | $13.29 |
| Dividend yield | 0.19% | 0.57% |
| Annual dividend | $0.98 | $3.75 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.50B | $7.94B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +12.08% | +16.27% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $484.23M | $534.34M |
| Gross margin | 37.20% | 24.38% |
| Operating margin | 18.11% | 8.46% |
| Net margin | 13.84% | 6.73% |
| 52-week high | $808.16 | $1,016.06 |
| 52-week low | $501.60 | $453.00 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -36.57% | -35.46% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +48.48% | +22.20% |
| Average volume | 366.09K | 79.54K |
| Shares outstanding | 36.93M | 46.86M |
| Employees | 9,200 | 21,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Aerospace & Defense |
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
- ESLT has outperformed CW by 34.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Elbit Systems trades at a higher earnings multiple (49.3x vs 35.3x trailing P/E).
- Curtiss-Wright is more profitable, keeping 13.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.7 cents for Elbit Systems.
About Curtiss-Wright
CW stock →Curtiss-Wright Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides engineered products, solutions, and services mainly to aerospace and defense, commercial nuclear power, process, and industrial markets worldwide. It operates through three segments: Aerospace & Industrial, Defense Electronics, and Naval & Power.
Industrials · Aerospace & Defense · 9,200 employees
About Elbit Systems
ESLT stock →Elbit Systems Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, develops and supplies defense and homeland security arenas products and services in Israel, North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and internationally. The company operates through five segments: Aerospace; C4I and Cyber; Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare; Land; and Elbit Systems of America.
Industrials · Aerospace & Defense · 21,000 employees
CW vs ESLT FAQ
Which is bigger, Curtiss-Wright or Elbit Systems?
Elbit Systems (ESLT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $30.73B compared with $18.93B for Curtiss-Wright (CW).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CW or ESLT?
ESLT returned +27.17% over the past 12 months, compared with -7.61% for CW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CW or ESLT?
CW has the lower trailing P/E at 35.3, versus 49.3 for ESLT. 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, Curtiss-Wright or Elbit Systems?
Elbit Systems has the higher yield at 0.57%, compared with 0.19% for Curtiss-Wright.
Are Curtiss-Wright and Elbit Systems in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Aerospace & Defense industry within the Industrials sector.