Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC Raises Stake in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK)

Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK - Free Report) by 25.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 24,447 shares of the transportation company's stock after purchasing an additional 5,003 shares during the quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC's holdings in Alaska Air Group were worth $1,583,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of ALK. FMR LLC lifted its stake in Alaska Air Group by 328.7% in the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 4,649,388 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $301,048,000 after purchasing an additional 3,564,749 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. lifted its stake in Alaska Air Group by 134.0% in the 4th quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 2,134,221 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $138,191,000 after purchasing an additional 1,222,277 shares in the last quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. increased its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 4,615.3% in the 4th quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 943,064 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $61,063,000 after buying an additional 923,064 shares during the last quarter. Candlestick Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 4th quarter worth $51,306,000. Finally, Interval Partners LP bought a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 4th quarter worth $50,507,000. 81.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Alaska Air Group

In other news, VP Emily Halverson sold 2,946 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.34, for a total value of $151,247.64. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 8,253 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $423,709.02. This trade represents a 26.31% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Andrew R. Harrison sold 7,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.51, for a total transaction of $401,325.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,530 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,419,620.30. This represents a 22.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 10,479 shares of company stock valued at $554,228 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Alaska Air Group Trading Up 3.4%

ALK traded up $1.72 during trading on Friday, hitting $52.43. 3,289,898 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,826,631. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 0.61 and a quick ratio of 0.58. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $48.34 and a 200 day moving average of $58.34. Alaska Air Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $32.62 and a 12-month high of $78.08.

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The transportation company reported ($0.77) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.72) by ($0.05). The firm had revenue of $3.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.19 billion. Alaska Air Group had a net margin of 3.37% and a return on equity of 14.66%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 40.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned ($0.92) EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Alaska Air Group, Inc. will post 6.03 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ALK has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Alaska Air Group from $62.00 to $55.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 25th. UBS Group lowered shares of Alaska Air Group from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $75.00 to $54.00 in a report on Monday, April 7th. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of Alaska Air Group from $80.00 to $70.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 3rd. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Alaska Air Group from $83.00 to $81.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Alaska Air Group from $85.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $66.83.

About Alaska Air Group

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.