Curtiss-Wright (CW) vs Snap-On (SNA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Snap-On (SNA) has outperformed Curtiss-Wright (CW) over the past year, gaining 5.8% versus a loss of 8.9%. Over five years, CW leads with a +285.9% price change compared with +63.7% for SNA. Curtiss-Wright is the larger company by market cap ($18.93 billion vs $18.72 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Snap-On trades at a lower forward P/E (16.9x vs 29.9x for Curtiss-Wright). Snap-On offers the higher dividend yield (2.61% vs 0.19%). Snap-On converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 19.7% versus 13.8%.
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 | SNA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $512.53 | $361.92 |
| Market cap | $18.93B | $18.72B |
| 1-day change | +1.03% | +0.85% |
| YTD return | -7.98% | +4.14% |
| 1-year return | -8.92% | +5.79% |
| 5-year return | +285.89% | +63.75% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 35.30 | 18.45 |
| Forward P/E | 29.87 | 16.85 |
| EPS (TTM) | $14.52 | $19.62 |
| Dividend yield | 0.19% | 2.61% |
| Annual dividend | $0.98 | $9.46 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.50B | $5.16B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +12.08% | +0.93% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $484.23M | $1.02B |
| Gross margin | 37.20% | — |
| Operating margin | 18.11% | 25.75% |
| Net margin | 13.84% | 19.72% |
| 52-week high | $808.16 | $423.02 |
| 52-week low | $501.60 | $320.80 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -36.58% | -14.44% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +53.41% | +14.64% |
| Average volume | 362.27K | 314.62K |
| Shares outstanding | 36.93M | 51.73M |
| Employees | 9,200 | 13,000 |
| Sector | Technology | Consumer Discretionary |
| 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
- SNA has outperformed CW by 14.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Curtiss-Wright trades at a higher earnings multiple (35.3x vs 18.4x trailing P/E).
- Snap-On offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.61% vs 0.19%).
- Snap-On is more profitable, keeping 19.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 13.8 cents for Curtiss-Wright.
- Curtiss-Wright grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+12.08% vs +0.93%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Curtiss-Wright in Technology and Snap-On in Consumer Discretionary.
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 Snap-On
SNA stock →Snap-on Incorporated manufactures and markets tools, equipment, diagnostics, and repair information and systems solutions for professional users worldwide. It operates through Commercial & Industrial Group, Snap-on Tools Group, Repair Systems & Information Group, and Financial Services segments.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Machinery/Components · 13,000 employees
CW vs SNA FAQ
Which is bigger, Curtiss-Wright or Snap-On?
Curtiss-Wright (CW) is larger, with a market capitalization of $18.93B compared with $18.72B for Snap-On (SNA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CW or SNA?
SNA returned +5.79% 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 SNA?
SNA has the lower trailing P/E at 18.4, versus 35.3 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 Snap-On?
Snap-On has the higher yield at 2.61%, compared with 0.19% for Curtiss-Wright.
Are Curtiss-Wright and Snap-On in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Technology sector.