Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) EVP Andrew R. Harrison Sells 91,745 Shares

Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) EVP Andrew R. Harrison sold 91,745 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.14, for a total value of $6,526,739.30. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 20,638 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,468,187.32. This trade represents a 81.64 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website.

Alaska Air Group Trading Up 3.2 %

Shares of Alaska Air Group stock traded up $2.34 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $74.54. 2,601,557 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,907,679. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $62.86 and a 200 day simple moving average of $49.06. The company has a current ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 1.54. Alaska Air Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $32.62 and a twelve month high of $74.65.

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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%. Research analysts forecast that Alaska Air Group, Inc. will post 6.03 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group increased 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Alaska Air Group from $58.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of Alaska Air Group from $60.00 to $55.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Alaska Air Group from $70.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Melius Research raised Alaska Air Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $56.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Monday, October 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $74.86.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Avior Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in 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 period. Pacific Center for Financial Services acquired a new stake in shares of Alaska Air Group during the 3rd quarter worth $45,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Alaska Air Group by 86.0% in the 3rd quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,025 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 474 shares during the period. Pacifica Partners Inc. boosted its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 952.4% in the third quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 1,105 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in Alaska Air Group during the third quarter valued at about $52,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.90% 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.