Alaska Air Group, Inc. (ALK) - What Are Investment Firms Thinking About This Stock?

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is moderately bullish: Ten of 13 analysts rate Alaska Air Group a buy, with an average 12-month price target of $57.38, although two analysts recommend selling and one advises holding.
• Fuel costs are weighing on profitability: Third-quarter revenue rose 14.4% year over year to $4.31 billion, but the company posted a roughly $147 million net loss and forecast a larger-than-expected fourth-quarter loss due to elevated fuel expenses.
• Alaska is pursuing long-term growth: Planned international partnerships and new Seattle routes to Osaka and Papeete aim to expand its global network, while institutional investors own 81.9% of the stock.

Shares of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK - Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the thirteen research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $57.38.

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $69.00 price objective (up from $58.00) on shares of Alaska Air Group in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. BMO Capital Markets set a $50.00 price objective on shares of Alaska Air Group and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, September 28th. Bank of America upped their price target on Alaska Air Group from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. Susquehanna reduced their price objective on Alaska Air Group from $55.00 to $50.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Alaska Air Group from a "sell" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research note on Monday, October 5th.

Insider Transactions at Alaska Air Group

In related news, EVP Andrew Harrison sold 5,300 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.67, for a total transaction of $263,251.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 25,528 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,267,975.76. This represents a 17.19% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Benito Minicucci bought 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 20th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $40.06 per share, for a total transaction of $1,001,500.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 256,582 shares of the company's stock, valued at $10,278,674.92. This trade represents a 10.80% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Alaska Air Group

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ALK. Engineers Gate Manager LP grew its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 1,445.3% during the 2nd quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 87,187 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $4,551,000 after buying an additional 81,545 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. purchased a new stake in shares of Alaska Air Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,407,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of Alaska Air Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,230,000. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $32,751,000. Finally, Amundi bought a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $2,205,000. Institutional investors own 81.90% of the company's stock.

Key Alaska Air Group News

Here are the key news stories impacting Alaska Air Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Alaska Air Group reported third-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $0.36, excluding certain tax impacts, while revenue grew to approximately $4.31 billion. The company highlighted continued expansion in premium travel, international service, cargo and its Atmos Rewards program. Alaska Air Group reports third quarter 2026 results
• Positive Sentiment: The airline announced plans to join Atlantic and Pacific joint international businesses with oneworld and other global partners. New nonstop routes to Osaka and Papeete also support its goal of expanding Seattle’s international network to 15 planned routes by 2030, potentially improving long-term network scale and customer loyalty. Alaska Air Group reports third quarter 2026 results
• Negative Sentiment: Higher-than-expected fuel costs drove Alaska Air Group to a third-quarter net loss of about $147 million, or $1.32 per share, despite double-digit revenue growth. The loss was worse than the company’s adjusted result and underscores the airline’s sensitivity to fuel prices. Alaska Air Group Swings to Third-Quarter Loss on Fuel Costs
• Negative Sentiment: Alaska Air forecast a larger-than-expected fourth-quarter loss because of soaring fuel expenses. The guidance raises concern that elevated operating costs could continue to outweigh revenue gains and delay a return to consistent profitability. Alaska Air forecasts bigger-than-expected fourth-quarter loss on soaring fuel costs

Alaska Air Group Stock Performance

Shares of ALK stock opened at $34.59 on Wednesday. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $40.50 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $43.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.55. Alaska Air Group has a 52 week low of $33.03 and a 52 week high of $60.63. The firm has a market cap of $3.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -22.03 and a beta of 1.33.

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 20th. The transportation company reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.39 by ($0.03). Alaska Air Group had a negative return on equity of 3.11% and a negative net margin of 1.19%. The firm had revenue of $4.31 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.31 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.05 EPS. The business's revenue was up 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Alaska Air Group will post -3.26 earnings per share for the current year.

About Alaska Air Group

Alaska Air Group, Inc is an airline holding company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Its principal subsidiaries include Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, which operate under separate brands while serving passengers throughout North America, the Pacific and other international markets.

Alaska Airlines provides scheduled passenger and air cargo services across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica and the Bahamas, with a strong presence on the U.S. West Coast and in Alaska.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.