Curtiss-Wright (CW) vs Zebra Technologies (ZBRA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Zebra Technologies (ZBRA) has outperformed Curtiss-Wright (CW) over the past year, gaining 24.4% versus a loss of 8.9%. Over five years, CW leads with a +285.9% price change compared with -25.9% for ZBRA. Curtiss-Wright is the larger company by market cap ($18.74 billion vs $18.08 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Zebra Technologies trades at a lower forward P/E (17.2x vs 29.6x for Curtiss-Wright). Curtiss-Wright pays a dividend yielding 0.19%, while Zebra Technologies does not currently pay one. Curtiss-Wright converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.8% versus 7.8%.
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 | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $507.29 | $382.14 |
| Market cap | $18.74B | $18.08B |
| 1-day change | -0.36% | -1.01% |
| YTD return | -7.98% | +57.38% |
| 1-year return | -8.92% | +24.36% |
| 5-year return | +285.89% | -25.92% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 34.94 | 35.03 |
| Forward P/E | 29.57 | 17.17 |
| EPS (TTM) | $14.52 | $10.91 |
| Dividend yield | 0.19% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.98 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.50B | $5.40B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +12.08% | +8.33% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $484.23M | $419.00M |
| Gross margin | 37.20% | 48.05% |
| Operating margin | 18.11% | 12.97% |
| Net margin | 13.84% | 7.77% |
| 52-week high | $808.16 | $390.80 |
| 52-week low | $501.60 | $199.05 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -37.23% | -2.22% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +54.99% | +8.30% |
| Average volume | 362.27K | 664.04K |
| Shares outstanding | 36.93M | 47.31M |
| Employees | 9,200 | 10,700 |
| 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
- ZBRA has outperformed CW by 33.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Curtiss-Wright is more profitable, keeping 13.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 7.8 cents for Zebra Technologies.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Curtiss-Wright in Technology and Zebra Technologies 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 Zebra Technologies
ZBRA stock →Zebra Technologies Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates in the automatic identification and data capture solutions industry worldwide. It operates in two segments, Connected Frontline, and Asset Visibility and Automation.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 10,700 employees
CW vs ZBRA FAQ
Which is bigger, Curtiss-Wright or Zebra Technologies?
Curtiss-Wright (CW) is larger, with a market capitalization of $18.74B compared with $18.08B for Zebra Technologies (ZBRA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CW or ZBRA?
ZBRA returned +24.36% 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 ZBRA?
CW has the lower trailing P/E at 34.9, versus 35.0 for ZBRA. 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 Zebra Technologies?
Curtiss-Wright pays a dividend yielding 0.19%, while Zebra Technologies does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Curtiss-Wright and Zebra Technologies in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Technology sector.