The Goldman Sachs Group Has Lowered Expectations for Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK) Stock Price

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK) had its price target lowered by equities researchers at The Goldman Sachs Group from $68.00 to $61.00 in a report issued on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “buy” rating on the transportation company’s stock. The Goldman Sachs Group’s target price would suggest a potential upside of 63.47% from the company’s previous close.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on ALK. Raymond James Financial reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $71.00 price target on shares of Alaska Air Group in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Cantor Fitzgerald set a $63.00 price objective on Alaska Air Group in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $70.00 target price (up from $60.00) on shares of Alaska Air Group in a report on Monday, January 12th. Citigroup decreased their target price on Alaska Air Group from $69.00 to $51.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 20th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets began coverage on Alaska Air Group in a report on Tuesday, March 24th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $50.00 price target for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Alaska Air Group currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $63.67.

Alaska Air Group Stock Performance

Shares of ALK stock opened at $37.32 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $4.23 billion, a PE ratio of 42.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.27. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $47.57 and a 200-day moving average of $47.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 0.50 and a quick ratio of 0.46. Alaska Air Group has a one year low of $33.03 and a one year high of $65.88.

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 22nd. The transportation company reported $0.43 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.11 by $0.32. Alaska Air Group had a net margin of 0.70% and a return on equity of 7.22%. The business had revenue of $3.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.64 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.97 EPS. Alaska Air Group’s quarterly revenue was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Alaska Air Group has set its Q1 2026 guidance at -1.500–0.500 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 3.500-6.500 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Alaska Air Group will post 6.03 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Alaska Air Group

In related news, EVP Kyle B. Levine sold 2,945 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.02, for a total transaction of $176,758.90. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 20,977 shares in the company, valued at $1,259,039.54. This trade represents a 12.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Andrew R. Harrison sold 5,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.63, for a total transaction of $311,465.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 30,828 shares in the company, valued at $1,745,789.64. This represents a 15.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 56,945 shares of company stock valued at $3,204,569 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 40.1% during the third quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 173,610 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $8,642,000 after buying an additional 49,663 shares during the last quarter. Generate Investment Management Ltd acquired a new stake in Alaska Air Group in the fourth quarter valued at $40,240,000. CM Management LLC acquired a new stake in Alaska Air Group in the third quarter valued at $1,244,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Alaska Air Group by 29.1% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 206,172 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $10,263,000 after acquiring an additional 46,445 shares during the period. Finally, Arista Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $417,000. 81.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Alaska Air Group

Alaska Air Group is a publicly traded holding company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, that operates two main airlines—Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. Through these carriers, the company offers scheduled passenger and cargo services across a network spanning the United States, Canada and Mexico. Its core business activities include domestic and international air transportation, loyalty program management under the Mileage Plan brand, and ancillary revenue streams such as baggage fees, in-flight sales and code-share partnerships with other global airlines.

The roots of Alaska Air Group trace back to the foundation of its flagship carrier, Alaska Airlines, in 1932.