J. Goldman & Co LP Sells 282,663 Shares of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK)

J. Goldman & Co LP lessened its position in shares of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK - Free Report) by 54.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 238,845 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 282,663 shares during the period. J. Goldman & Co LP owned approximately 0.19% of Alaska Air Group worth $15,465,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of ALK. FMR LLC increased its holdings in shares of 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 buying an additional 3,564,749 shares during the last quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 4th quarter worth $82,459,000. 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 during the 4th quarter valued at $51,306,000. Finally, Driehaus Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group during the 4th quarter valued at $37,562,000. Institutional investors own 81.90% of the company's stock.

Alaska Air Group Trading Up 0.8%

ALK traded up $0.46 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $55.34. 268,653 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,727,425. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.41. 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 $48.91 and a 200 day moving average of $58.23. 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 posted its 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 return on equity of 14.66% and a net margin of 3.37%. The company had revenue of $3.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.19 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted ($0.92) earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 40.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Alaska Air Group, Inc. will post 6.03 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. UBS Group lowered shares of Alaska Air Group from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and reduced their target price for the company from $75.00 to $54.00 in a report on Monday, April 7th. Susquehanna reduced their target price on shares of Alaska Air Group from $95.00 to $55.00 and set a "positive" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Alaska Air Group from $85.00 to $89.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Alaska Air Group from $70.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their target price 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. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Alaska Air Group presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $65.92.

Insider Transactions at Alaska Air Group

In related news, EVP Andrew R. Harrison sold 6,600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.28, for a total value of $503,448.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 34,030 shares in the company, valued at $2,595,808.40. This trade represents a 16.24% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, COO Muehlen Constance E. Von sold 22,157 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.12, for a total transaction of $1,664,433.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 20,026 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,504,353.12. The trade was a 52.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 28,790 shares of company stock valued at $2,169,537. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

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.