Southwest Airlines Co. $LUV Shares Purchased by iA Global Asset Management Inc.

iA Global Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) by 300.8% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 15,404 shares of the airline’s stock after purchasing an additional 11,561 shares during the period. iA Global Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $579,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. SHP Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Entrust Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Southwest Airlines during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Southwest Airlines during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Optima Capital LLC purchased a new position in Southwest Airlines during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.82% of the company’s stock.

Southwest Airlines Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of LUV stock opened at $50.21 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.48 and a quick ratio of 0.41. The firm has a market cap of $24.54 billion, a PE ratio of 32.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a 50-day moving average of $43.12 and a two-hundred day moving average of $43.53. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 1-year low of $28.98 and a 1-year high of $55.11.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 22nd. The airline reported $0.45 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.45. The firm had revenue of $7.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.46 billion. Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 2.83% and a return on equity of 10.66%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted ($0.13) EPS. Southwest Airlines has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 0.350-0.650 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 2.93 EPS for the current year.

Southwest Airlines Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 11th were paid a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 11th. Southwest Airlines’s dividend payout ratio is 46.45%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $58.00 to $56.00 in a report on Friday, March 27th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of Southwest Airlines from $44.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen cut Southwest Airlines from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, June 27th. TD Cowen increased their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $47.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Susquehanna cut their target price on Southwest Airlines from $55.00 to $42.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 2nd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $48.43.

Southwest Airlines Profile

Southwest Airlines Co is a U.S.-based low-cost carrier that operates a point-to-point domestic and near-international airline network. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company primarily flies Boeing 737 aircraft and offers no-frills, single-class service designed to keep fares competitive. Southwest’s operating model emphasizes high aircraft utilization, quick turnaround times and an open seating policy, allowing customers to board and select seats on a first-come, first-served basis.

Founded in 1967 by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King as Air Southwest Company, Southwest began commercial service in 1971, initially connecting Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.