Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) Receives Consensus Recommendation of "Buy" from Brokerages

Shares of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK - Get Free Report) have received an average rating of "Buy" from the thirteen brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 12-month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $77.00.

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Alaska Air Group from $55.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 14th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Alaska Air Group from $63.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, December 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Alaska Air Group from $85.00 to $89.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday. Susquehanna raised Alaska Air Group from a "neutral" rating to a "positive" rating and set a $95.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their target price on Alaska Air Group from $85.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th.

Insider Buying and Selling at Alaska Air Group

In related news, VP Emily Halverson sold 1,329 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.41, for a total value of $85,600.89. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 7,150 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $460,531.50. This trade represents a 15.67 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, COO Muehlen Constance E. Von sold 4,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.09, for a total value of $252,360.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 12,162 shares in the company, valued at $767,300.58. The trade was a 24.75 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 189,198 shares of company stock worth $13,415,604 over the last 90 days. 0.68% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Alaska Air Group

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System raised its stake in shares of Alaska Air Group by 0.3% in the fourth quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 49,905 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $3,231,000 after acquiring an additional 147 shares during the period. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund grew its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 29,816 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,931,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Alaska Air Group by 44.8% in the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 588 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares during the period. Savant Capital LLC lifted its stake in Alaska Air Group by 3.4% in the fourth quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 6,284 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $407,000 after purchasing an additional 206 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Verdence Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Alaska Air Group by 2.2% in the third quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 10,180 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $460,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. 81.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Alaska Air Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ALK traded down $2.47 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $69.81. The company had a trading volume of 2,094,985 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,688,148. Alaska Air Group has a 12-month low of $32.62 and a 12-month high of $78.08. The company has a fifty day moving average of $70.04 and a two-hundred day moving average of $54.88. The company has a market cap of $8.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.89, a PEG ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 0.61 and a quick ratio of 0.58.

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 22nd. The transportation company reported $0.97 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.45 by $0.52. Alaska Air Group had a return on equity of 14.66% and a net margin of 3.37%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Alaska Air Group will post 6.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Alaska Air Group Company Profile

Alaska Air Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates airlines. It operates through three segments: Mainline, Regional, and Horizon. The company offers scheduled air transportation services on Boeing jet aircraft for passengers and cargo in the United States, and in parts of Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, and the Bahamas; and for passengers across a shorter distance network within the United States, Canada, and Mexico.