Curtiss-Wright (CW) vs Lincoln Electric (LECO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Lincoln Electric (LECO) has outperformed Curtiss-Wright (CW) over the past year, gaining 7.0% versus a loss of 8.9%. Over five years, CW leads with a +285.9% price change compared with +86.4% for LECO. Curtiss-Wright is the larger company by market cap ($18.74 billion vs $14.10 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, Lincoln Electric trades at a lower forward P/E (20.7x vs 29.6x for Curtiss-Wright). Lincoln Electric offers the higher dividend yield (1.21% vs 0.19%). Curtiss-Wright converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.8% versus 12.3%.
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 | LECO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $507.29 | $258.78 |
| Market cap | $18.74B | $14.10B |
| 1-day change | -0.36% | -1.67% |
| YTD return | -7.98% | +7.99% |
| 1-year return | -8.92% | +6.96% |
| 5-year return | +285.89% | +86.43% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 34.94 | 25.85 |
| Forward P/E | 29.57 | 20.66 |
| EPS (TTM) | $14.52 | $10.01 |
| Dividend yield | 0.19% | 1.21% |
| Annual dividend | $0.98 | $3.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.50B | $4.23B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +12.08% | +5.60% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $484.23M | $520.53M |
| Gross margin | 37.20% | 36.25% |
| Operating margin | 18.11% | 16.96% |
| Net margin | 13.84% | 12.30% |
| 52-week high | $808.16 | $310.00 |
| 52-week low | $501.60 | $216.22 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -37.23% | -16.52% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +54.99% | +17.83% |
| Average volume | 362.27K | 420.42K |
| Shares outstanding | 36.93M | 54.51M |
| Employees | 9,200 | 12,000 |
| Sector | Technology | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Machinery/Components |
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
- LECO has outperformed CW by 15.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Curtiss-Wright trades at a higher earnings multiple (34.9x vs 25.9x trailing P/E).
- Lincoln Electric offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.21% vs 0.19%).
- Curtiss-Wright grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+12.08% vs +5.60%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Curtiss-Wright in Technology and Lincoln Electric in Industrials.
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.
Technology · Industrial Machinery/Components · 9,200 employees
About Lincoln Electric
LECO stock →Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells welding, cutting, and brazing products in the United States and internationally. It operates in three segments: Americas Welding, International Welding, and The Harris Products Group.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 12,000 employees
CW vs LECO FAQ
Which is bigger, Curtiss-Wright or Lincoln Electric?
Curtiss-Wright (CW) is larger, with a market capitalization of $18.74B compared with $14.10B for Lincoln Electric (LECO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CW or LECO?
LECO returned +6.96% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.92% for CW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CW or LECO?
LECO has the lower trailing P/E at 25.9, versus 34.9 for CW. 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 Lincoln Electric?
Lincoln Electric has the higher yield at 1.21%, compared with 0.19% for Curtiss-Wright.
Are Curtiss-Wright and Lincoln Electric in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Technology sector.