US Bancorp DE Raises Holdings in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK)

US Bancorp DE boosted its position in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) by 2.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 21,772 shares of the transportation company’s stock after purchasing an additional 612 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE’s holdings in Alaska Air Group were worth $1,410,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Avior Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 44.8% during 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 during the last quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services acquired a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group during the third quarter worth about $45,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Alaska Air Group by 86.0% during the third 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 in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Alaska Air Group during the third quarter worth about $52,000. Finally, Quarry LP increased its position in shares of Alaska Air Group by 259.3% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,175 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 848 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.90% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Andrew R. Harrison sold 6,600 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 34,030 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,595,808.40. This trade represents a 16.24 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Joseph A. Sprague sold 2,325 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.38, for a total transaction of $149,683.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 19,340 shares in the company, valued at $1,245,109.20. This trade represents a 10.73 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 189,198 shares of company stock valued at $13,415,604. Insiders own 0.68% of the company’s stock.

Alaska Air Group Trading Down 2.6 %

Shares of NYSE:ALK opened at $60.59 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.46 billion, a PE ratio of 19.86, a P/E/G ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.50. Alaska Air Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $32.62 and a 1 year high of $78.08. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $69.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $55.78. The company has a current ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04.

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 22nd. The transportation company reported $0.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.45 by $0.52. Alaska Air Group had a net margin of 3.37% and a return on equity of 14.66%. Analysts expect that Alaska Air Group, Inc. will post 6.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ALK has been the subject of several research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on 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 boosted their price objective on Alaska Air Group from $70.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Susquehanna upgraded Alaska Air Group from a “neutral” rating to a “positive” rating and set a $95.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Citigroup upped their price target on Alaska Air Group from $63.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of Alaska Air Group from $85.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Alaska Air Group currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $77.00.

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.