RYAAY vs LUV: which was the better investment?
Ryanair Holdings plc against Southwest Airlines Co. on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from May 29, 1997 to Aug 28, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did RYAAY beat LUV?
Yes — measured from May 29, 1997 to Aug 28, 2026 with dividends reinvested, RYAAY came out ahead: $541,691 versus $92,314 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 14.6% annual return against 7.9%.
What would $10,000 in RYAAY be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY) on May 29, 1997 would be worth about $541,691 as of Aug 28, 2026, a total return of 5316.9% (14.6% per year). The same $10,000 in LUV would be worth $92,314.
Which was riskier — RYAAY or LUV?
RYAAY swung with an annualized volatility of 38.9% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -67.7%; LUV ran at 37.2% volatility with a -78.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.32 for RYAAY vs 0.16 for LUV.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering May 29, 1997 through Aug 28, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with RYAAY vs LUV. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.