D.A. Davidson & CO. Cuts Holdings in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK)

D.A. Davidson & CO. lowered its position in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) by 10.1% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 192,994 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 21,735 shares during the quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO.’s holdings in Alaska Air Group were worth $12,496,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Avior Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 44.8% in the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 588 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 182 shares during the period. Pacific Center for Financial Services acquired a new stake in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $45,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 474 shares during the period. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $52,000. Finally, Quarry LP grew its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 259.3% in the 3rd 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 period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.90% of the company’s stock.

Alaska Air Group Price Performance

ALK stock opened at $75.36 on Wednesday. Alaska Air Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $32.62 and a 52-week high of $76.45. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $68.62 and its 200-day simple moving average is $52.71. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.55.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Andrea L. Schneider sold 800 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.89, for a total value of $51,112.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 20,286 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,296,072.54. This trade represents a 3.79 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, COO Muehlen Constance E. Von sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.09, for a total value of $252,360.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 12,162 shares in the company, valued at $767,300.58. This trade represents a 24.75 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 160,441 shares of company stock valued at $11,247,722. 0.68% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Susquehanna upgraded Alaska Air Group from a “neutral” rating to a “positive” rating and set a $95.00 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Citigroup increased their target price on Alaska Air Group from $63.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, December 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Alaska Air Group from $58.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Bank of America increased their target price on Alaska Air Group from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, TD Cowen increased their target price on Alaska Air Group from $85.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy 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 $74.86.

Alaska Air Group Profile

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.