Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK) Share Price Crosses Below Fifty Day Moving Average - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Alaska Air Group shares fell below their 50-day moving average, trading as low as $38.25 versus the average of $38.66; the stock was down 1.9% and remained below its 200-day average of $43.63.
• The airline reported quarterly EPS of $0.36, missing the $0.39 consensus, while revenue of $4.31 billion matched estimates. Analysts also cut earnings forecasts, and Zacks Research downgraded the stock to “Strong Sell.”
• Analyst opinions remain mixed: MarketBeat’s consensus rating is “Moderate Buy” with an average price target of $52.38, while several firms recently lowered their targets.

Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK - Get Free Report)'s stock price crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $38.66 and traded as low as $38.25. Alaska Air Group shares last traded at $38.3010, with a volume of 2,839,834 shares.

Key Headlines Impacting Alaska Air Group

Here are a few of the latest headlines about ALK:

• Neutral Sentiment: A commentary suggested ALK could be undervalued after a steep five-year decline. This is a valuation argument rather than a new company or earnings catalyst. Alaska Air Group (ALK) Stock Could Be Undervalued On Its 23% Five Year Fall
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research made substantial cuts to Alaska Air Group’s full-year EPS forecasts for 2026 and 2027, and lowered its 2028 estimate to $7.84 from $9.39. Although it raised some individual quarterly estimates, it maintained a “Strong Sell” rating; the broad forecast reductions suggest concern about the earnings outlook. Alaska Air Group analyst estimate updates
• Negative Sentiment: UBS lowered its price target on Alaska Air Group to $48. The target remains above the share price cited in the provided background, but the cut itself signals reduced expectations. Alaska Air Group stock: UBS lowers target to 48 dollars

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently weighed in on ALK. Zacks Research downgraded Alaska Air Group from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $52.00 target price on shares of Alaska Air Group in a report on Thursday, October 22nd. Raymond James Financial reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Alaska Air Group in a research report on Friday, September 25th. TD Cowen reissued a "buy" rating and set a $41.00 price target (down from $44.00) on shares of Alaska Air Group in a research note on Thursday, October 29th. Finally, Citigroup restated a "sell" rating and set a $33.00 price target (down from $37.00) on shares of Alaska Air Group in a report on Thursday, October 22nd. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $52.38.

Alaska Air Group Trading Down 1.9%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49. The company has a market cap of $4.32 billion, a P/E ratio of -10.91 and a beta of 1.43. The firm's 50 day moving average is $38.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $43.63.

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 20th. The transportation company reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.39 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $4.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.31 billion. Alaska Air Group had a negative net margin of 2.58% and a negative return on equity of 5.42%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.05 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Alaska Air Group, Inc. will post -4.43 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Alaska Air Group

In related news, CEO Benito Minicucci purchased 25,000 shares of Alaska Air Group stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 20th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $40.06 per share, for a total transaction of $1,001,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 256,582 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $10,278,674.92. This represents a 10.80% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Alaska Air Group

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Fortitude Family Office LLC increased its position in Alaska Air Group by 323.5% during the 3rd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 775 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 592 shares during the period. Heritage Family Offices LLP acquired a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Mosley Wealth Management boosted its stake in shares of Alaska Air Group by 1,475.0% in the 3rd quarter. Mosley Wealth Management now owns 945 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 885 shares during the last quarter. Compound Global Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Alaska Air Group by 963.3% in the 2nd quarter. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 840 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 761 shares during the last quarter. 81.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Alaska Air Group

Alaska Air Group is an airline holding company whose operations include Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and regional carrier Horizon Air. Its businesses provide scheduled passenger and air-cargo services, along with related travel offerings. Based in Seattle, the group serves destinations across the United States and connects travelers to locations in Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Pacific, including Hawaii. Its airlines operate under their respective brands and serve a mix of domestic and international routes.

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