Southwest Gas (SWX) vs Valaris (VAL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Valaris (VAL) has outperformed Southwest Gas (SWX) over the past year, gaining 56.6% versus a gain of 4.8%. Over five years, VAL leads with a +129.3% price change compared with +19.9% for SWX. Southwest Gas is the larger company by market cap ($5.98 billion vs $5.68 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while Valaris is growing revenue faster (+0.3% vs -21.6%).
On valuation, Valaris trades at a lower forward P/E (11.6x vs 16.5x for Southwest Gas). Southwest Gas pays a dividend yielding 3.04%, while Valaris does not currently pay one. Valaris converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 41.5% versus 22.7%.
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 | SWX | VAL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $82.48 | $81.85 |
| Market cap | $5.98B | $5.68B |
| 1-day change | -1.01% | -0.18% |
| YTD return | +3.07% | +62.40% |
| 1-year return | +4.78% | +56.62% |
| 5-year return | +19.94% | +129.34% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.62 | 6.17 |
| Forward P/E | 16.50 | 11.59 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.00 | $13.26 |
| Dividend yield | 3.04% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $2.51 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.94B | $2.37B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -21.61% | +0.27% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $439.83M | $982.80M |
| Gross margin | — | 31.21% |
| Operating margin | 24.42% | 20.14% |
| Net margin | 22.67% | 41.49% |
| 52-week high | $94.47 | $114.12 |
| 52-week low | $76.74 | $46.70 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.69% | -28.28% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +21.85% | -16.57% |
| Average volume | 564.94K | 1.08M |
| Shares outstanding | 72.45M | 69.44M |
| Employees | 2,453 | 3,800 |
| Sector | Utilities | Energy |
| Industry | Oil & Gas Production | Oil & Gas Production |
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
- VAL has outperformed SWX by 51.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Southwest Gas trades at a higher earnings multiple (20.6x vs 6.2x trailing P/E).
- Southwest Gas offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.04% vs 0.00%).
- Valaris is more profitable, keeping 41.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 22.7 cents for Southwest Gas.
- Valaris grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+0.27% vs -21.61%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Southwest Gas in Utilities and Valaris in Energy.
About Southwest Gas
SWX stock →Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiary, Southwest Gas Corporation, purchases, distributes, and transports natural gas for residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Arizona, Nevada, and California in the United States. The company offers tariff sales and transportation services.
Utilities · Oil & Gas Production · 2,453 employees
About Valaris
VAL stock →Valaris Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides offshore contract drilling services in Brazil, the United Kingdom, Gulf of America, Australia, Angola, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Floaters, Jackups, ARO, and Other.
Energy · Oil & Gas Production · 3,800 employees
SWX vs VAL FAQ
Which is bigger, Southwest Gas or Valaris?
Southwest Gas (SWX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.98B compared with $5.68B for Valaris (VAL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, SWX or VAL?
VAL returned +56.62% over the past 12 months, compared with +4.78% for SWX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, SWX or VAL?
VAL has the lower trailing P/E at 6.2, versus 20.6 for SWX. 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, Southwest Gas or Valaris?
Southwest Gas pays a dividend yielding 3.04%, while Valaris does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Southwest Gas and Valaris in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Oil & Gas Production industry within the Utilities sector.