EAM Investors LLC Takes Position in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK)

EAM Investors LLC bought a new stake in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 68,360 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $4,426,000. EAM Investors LLC owned about 0.05% of Alaska Air Group as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Barclays PLC lifted its position in shares of Alaska Air Group by 1.8% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 1,058,564 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $47,857,000 after purchasing an additional 18,233 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Alaska Air Group by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,061,596 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $93,229,000 after buying an additional 78,186 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in Alaska Air Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $59,000. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Alaska Air Group by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 633,514 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $28,312,000 after buying an additional 24,796 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Retirement Systems of Alabama bought a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $5,066,000. Institutional investors own 81.90% of the company's stock.

Alaska Air Group Stock Performance

Shares of ALK stock traded up $0.43 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $45.08. 2,267,011 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,592,068. Alaska Air Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $32.62 and a 52 week high of $78.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.78, a PEG ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.37. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $57.21 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $57.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.61.

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 22nd. The transportation company reported $0.97 earnings per share (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%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Alaska Air Group, Inc. will post 6.03 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently issued reports on ALK. Bank of America dropped their target price on Alaska Air Group from $80.00 to $70.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 3rd. Barclays dropped their price objective on Alaska Air Group from $80.00 to $62.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. UBS Group cut shares of Alaska Air Group from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and decreased their target price for the company from $75.00 to $54.00 in a research note on Monday, April 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of Alaska Air Group from $70.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, Susquehanna decreased their price objective on shares of Alaska Air Group from $95.00 to $55.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Alaska Air Group presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $70.15.

Insider Buying and Selling at Alaska Air Group

In other Alaska Air Group news, EVP Andrew R. Harrison sold 6,600 shares of Alaska Air Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.28, for a total value of $503,448.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 34,030 shares in the company, valued at $2,595,808.40. The trade was a 16.24 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Joseph A. Sprague sold 9,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.90, for a total transaction of $654,550.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 9,840 shares in the company, valued at approximately $677,976. The trade was a 49.12 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 154,725 shares of company stock valued at $11,217,263 in the last ninety days. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.