GSA Capital Partners LLP Takes Position in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK)

GSA Capital Partners LLP bought a new stake in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK - Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 49,928 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $2,257,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of ALK. Interval Partners LP boosted its stake in Alaska Air Group by 100.0% during the 1st quarter. Interval Partners LP now owns 80,000 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $3,439,000 after acquiring an additional 40,000 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors bought a new stake in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 1st quarter valued at $36,993,000. Raymond James & Associates raised its stake in Alaska Air Group by 13.5% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 283,581 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $11,457,000 after buying an additional 33,717 shares during the period. Boston Partners lifted its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 4.1% during the first quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,966,594 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $170,533,000 after acquiring an additional 155,403 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Comerica Bank grew its stake in Alaska Air Group by 88.0% in the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 174,178 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $7,488,000 after acquiring an additional 81,533 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.90% of the company's stock.

Alaska Air Group Stock Performance

Shares of ALK traded down $0.84 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $51.01. 285,349 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,265,923. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. The firm has a market cap of $6.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.59. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $43.93 and its 200-day simple moving average is $41.07. Alaska Air Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $32.00 and a 52 week high of $52.19.

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 31st. The transportation company reported $2.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.22 by $0.03. Alaska Air Group had a return on equity of 12.81% and a net margin of 2.99%. The firm had revenue of $3.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.83 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Alaska Air Group, Inc. will post 4.26 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have issued reports on ALK shares. Barclays initiated coverage on Alaska Air Group in a research note on Monday, October 21st. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $55.00 price target on the stock. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Alaska Air Group from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, September 13th. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on Alaska Air Group from $60.00 to $55.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. Melius Research upgraded Alaska Air Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $56.00 price target for the company in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Alaska Air Group from $75.00 to $70.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Alaska Air Group presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $54.17.

Alaska Air Group 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.