Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) Stock Investment Calculator & Historical Return Analysis
Southwest Airlines is a major American airline and the world's largest low-cost carrier. It provides scheduled air transportation in the United States and near-international markets. Investors often view Southwest Airlines Co. as a key player in the market, analyzing its long-term potential through various revenue models, brand recognition, and consistent presence in its industry.
This Southwest Airlines Co. stock investment calculator allows you to explore how a hypothetical investment in LUV might have performed over time. By adjusting the investment amount and time period, you can visualize potential growth, compare outcomes across different market cycles, and better understand the impact of long-term investing.
What if you invested $1000 in LUV on Jan 1, 2020?
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Understanding Southwest Airlines Co.'s Historical Performance
Southwest Airlines Co.'s stock performance has historically reflected both broader market trends and company-specific milestones. Like many growth-oriented stocks, LUV has experienced periods of growth driven by innovation and market demand.
When analyzing Southwest Airlines Co.'s historical returns, it's important to consider:
- Market cycles: Strong bull markets often amplify returns, while recessions can temporarily suppress performance.
- Business model evolution: Changes in revenue strategies and product lines can significantly impact stability.
- Long-term trends: Over extended periods, compounding can play a larger role than short-term price fluctuations. Try our calculator to explore returns over 5 years or larger investments over 10 years.
This calculator helps you see how these factors might have affected an investment depending on when you entered the market.
Historical Annual Returns
Over the past 40 years, Southwest Airlines Co. has delivered an average annual return of 16.9%. The stock peaked in 2014 with a massive +125.8% gain, while investors faced a downturn in 1994 (-55.4%). Overall, the stock finished in the green 25 times out of 40 years.
Avg Return
+16.9%
Win Rate
63%
25W - 15L
Best
+125.8%
2014
Worst
-55.4%
1994
Performance Consistency
Southwest Airlines Co. Annual Returns by Year
| Year | Annual Return | Start Price | End Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | -20.21% | $0.93 | $0.74 |
| 1987 | -35.49% | $0.75 | $0.48 |
| 1988 | +41.93% | $0.52 | $0.74 |
| 1989 | +22.98% | $0.72 | $0.88 |
| 1990 | +8.88% | $0.89 | $0.97 |
| 1991 | +100.03% | $0.95 | $1.89 |
| 1992 | +77.89% | $1.85 | $3.28 |
| 1993 | +87.13% | $3.34 | $6.25 |
| 1994 | -55.42% | $6.29 | $2.80 |
| 1995 | +30.73% | $2.95 | $3.86 |
| 1996 | -6.24% | $3.94 | $3.70 |
| 1997 | +68.19% | $3.70 | $6.22 |
| 1998 | +40.54% | $6.12 | $8.60 |
| 1999 | +5.57% | $8.70 | $9.18 |
| 2000 | +111.44% | $9.04 | $19.11 |
| 2001 | -17.07% | $19.07 | $15.82 |
| 2002 | -23.75% | $15.62 | $11.91 |
| 2003 | +13.81% | $12.17 | $13.85 |
| 2004 | +2.27% | $13.68 | $13.99 |
| 2005 | +2.38% | $13.81 | $14.13 |
| 2006 | -6.64% | $14.13 | $13.20 |
| 2007 | -21.28% | $13.37 | $10.52 |
| 2008 | -26.83% | $10.18 | $7.45 |
| 2009 | +27.76% | $7.75 | $9.90 |
| 2010 | +16.29% | $9.68 | $11.26 |
| 2011 | -35.21% | $11.49 | $7.44 |
| 2012 | +22.23% | $7.31 | $8.94 |
| 2013 | +81.51% | $9.14 | $16.59 |
| 2014 | +125.83% | $16.62 | $37.54 |
| 2015 | +1.55% | $37.86 | $38.45 |
| 2016 | +19.86% | $37.47 | $44.91 |
| 2017 | +32.03% | $45.04 | $59.46 |
| 2018 | -29.12% | $60.22 | $42.68 |
| 2019 | +16.07% | $43.29 | $50.25 |
| 2020 | -14.68% | $51.05 | $43.55 |
| 2021 | -4.88% | $42.09 | $40.03 |
| 2022 | -23.48% | $41.12 | $31.46 |
| 2023 | -8.93% | $30.46 | $27.74 |
| 2024 | +20.79% | $27.36 | $33.04 |
| 2025 | +26.01% | $32.80 | $41.33 |
Historical annual returns for Southwest Airlines Co.. Data shows year-over-year percentage change in stock price.
Why Use a "What If" Stock Calculator?
Many investors wonder questions such as:
- What if I had invested 5 years ago?
- How does timing affect long-term returns?
- What role does compounding play in stock investments?
A what-if investment calculator answers these questions by turning historical data into practical insights. Rather than focusing on daily price movements, it encourages a long-term perspective, which is especially useful for retirement planning, portfolio comparisons, and financial education.
Key Innovations
- ✓Low-cost carrier model
- ✓Quick turnaround times (10-minute turn historically)
- ✓Point-to-point route structure
Business Segments
- PassengerTransportation of passengers.
- FreightCargo services.
How to Interpret the Results
The results shown are based on historical performance and are meant for educational and informational purposes only. They do not account for future market conditions, taxes, transaction fees, or individual investment strategies. Past performance does not guarantee future results, but historical analysis can help investors understand risk, volatility, and growth potential.
For best use:
- Compare multiple time ranges to see how outcomes differ
- Use consistent assumptions across different stocks
- Combine this tool with fundamental research and diversification principles