SG Americas Securities LLC Increases Stake in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK)

SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its position in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK - Free Report) by 707.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 474,005 shares of the transportation company's stock after purchasing an additional 415,334 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC owned about 0.39% of Alaska Air Group worth $23,331,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Perkins Coie Trust Co increased its position in Alaska Air Group by 125.7% during the 1st quarter. Perkins Coie Trust Co now owns 677 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 377 shares during the period. Wood Tarver Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 4th quarter worth about $52,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Alaska Air Group by 61.6% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 955 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $62,000 after buying an additional 364 shares during the period. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in shares of Alaska Air Group by 459.1% in the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 1,297 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $64,000 after buying an additional 1,065 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 81.90% of the company's stock.

Alaska Air Group Stock Performance

ALK traded down $2.24 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $47.40. 3,046,461 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,850,747. 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 $5.82 billion, a PE ratio of 15.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. The company's 50-day moving average is $48.81 and its 200 day moving average is $58.28.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Alaska Air Group news, EVP Andrew R. Harrison sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 19th. The shares were 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 $1,419,620.30. This trade represents a 22.04% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Emily Halverson sold 2,946 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.34, for a total transaction of $151,247.64. Following 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 ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 10,479 shares of company stock valued at $554,228. 1.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on ALK shares. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Alaska Air Group from $62.00 to $55.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Bank of America dropped 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 research note on Thursday, April 3rd. Citigroup dropped 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 research note on Tuesday, March 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Alaska Air Group from $85.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Alaska Air Group from $54.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, April 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Alaska Air Group has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average 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.