SG Americas Securities LLC Boosts Stock Holdings in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK)

SG Americas Securities LLC grew its stake in shares of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) by 1,155.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 58,671 shares of the transportation company’s stock after buying an additional 53,997 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC’s holdings in Alaska Air Group were worth $3,799,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Pacific Center for Financial Services purchased a new stake in Alaska Air Group during the third quarter valued at about $45,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 86.0% during the 3rd quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,025 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 474 shares during the period. Pacifica Partners Inc. increased its position in Alaska Air Group by 952.4% during the 3rd quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 1,105 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in Alaska Air Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $52,000. Finally, Quarry LP lifted its position in Alaska Air Group by 259.3% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,175 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 848 shares in the last quarter. 81.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on ALK shares. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Alaska Air Group from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Melius raised Alaska Air Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $56.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Evercore ISI decreased their target price on Alaska Air Group from $60.00 to $55.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Susquehanna upgraded Alaska Air Group from a “neutral” rating to a “positive” rating and set a $95.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, Melius Research upgraded Alaska Air Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $56.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, October 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $74.86.

Insider Activity at Alaska Air Group

In other Alaska Air Group news, CFO Shane R. Tackett sold 5,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.56, for a total transaction of $317,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 27,362 shares in the company, valued at $1,739,128.72. The trade was a 15.45 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Andrea L. Schneider sold 3,700 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.50, for a total transaction of $234,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 21,086 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,338,961. The trade was a 14.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 34,473 shares of company stock valued at $2,198,342. Corporate insiders own 0.68% of the company’s stock.

Alaska Air Group Price Performance

ALK opened at $69.90 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $8.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.92, a PEG ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a 50-day moving average of $61.76 and a 200-day moving average of $48.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.60. Alaska Air Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $32.62 and a 1-year high of $71.70.

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 22nd. The transportation company reported $0.97 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.45 by $0.52. Alaska Air Group had a return on equity of 14.78% and a net margin of 3.37%. Equities analysts expect that Alaska Air Group, Inc. will post 6.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.