50,000 Shares in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) Bought by Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC

Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 50,000 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $3,238,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in ALK. Avior Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Alaska Air Group by 44.8% in the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 588 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group during the 4th quarter worth about $52,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 61.6% during the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 955 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 364 shares during the period. Millstone Evans Group LLC acquired a new position in Alaska Air Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $76,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Alaska Air Group by 97.9% in the fourth 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 during the period. 81.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Alaska Air Group Trading Up 1.4%

Shares of Alaska Air Group stock traded up $0.73 during trading on Friday, hitting $53.71. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,492,559 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,748,163. The stock has a market cap of $6.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.41. Alaska Air Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $32.62 and a 52 week high of $78.08. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $48.73 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $58.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 0.61 and a quick ratio of 0.58.

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The transportation company reported ($0.77) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned ($0.92) earnings per share. Alaska Air Group's revenue was up 40.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Alaska Air Group, Inc. will post 6.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Alaska Air Group

In related news, COO Muehlen Constance E. Von sold 22,157 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.12, for a total transaction of $1,664,433.84. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 20,026 shares in the company, valued at $1,504,353.12. The trade was a 52.53% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Andrew R. Harrison sold 6,600 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.28, for a total transaction of $503,448.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 34,030 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,595,808.40. This trade represents a 16.24% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 28,790 shares of company stock worth $2,169,537. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. TD Cowen boosted their target price on Alaska Air Group from $54.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. Bank of America reduced their price target on Alaska Air Group from $80.00 to $70.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 3rd. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Alaska Air Group from $83.00 to $81.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. Barclays reduced their price target on 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. Finally, Susquehanna dropped their price objective on Alaska Air Group from $95.00 to $55.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $65.92.

Alaska Air Group Company Profile

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.