UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Raises Stock Position in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK)

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK - Free Report) by 12.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 187,305 shares of the transportation company's stock after buying an additional 21,326 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned 0.15% of Alaska Air Group worth $12,128,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in Alaska Air Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $52,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in 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 acquiring an additional 364 shares in the last quarter. Millstone Evans Group LLC purchased a new stake in Alaska Air Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $76,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 97.9% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,623 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $105,000 after buying an additional 803 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 16,092.3% in the fourth quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 2,105 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $136,000 after purchasing an additional 2,092 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.90% of the company's stock.

Alaska Air Group Price Performance

NYSE:ALK remained flat at $50.93 during trading hours on Monday. 2,628,025 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,808,408. The stock has a market cap of $6.25 billion, a PE ratio of 16.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.41. Alaska Air Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $32.62 and a 12 month high of $78.08. 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 company's 50-day moving average is $48.32 and its 200 day moving average is $58.49.

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK - Get Free Report) last released its 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 company had revenue of $3.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.19 billion. Alaska Air Group had a return on equity of 14.66% and a net margin of 3.37%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 40.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted ($0.92) EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Alaska Air Group, Inc. will post 6.03 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Alaska Air Group

In related news, EVP Andrew R. Harrison sold 7,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.51, for a total value of $401,325.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,530 shares in the company, valued at $1,419,620.30. The trade was a 22.04% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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