Southwest Airlines Co. $LUV Stake Cut by Inceptionr LLC

Inceptionr LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) by 41.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 18,986 shares of the airline’s stock after selling 13,532 shares during the period. Inceptionr LLC’s holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $606,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Benjamin Edwards Inc. lifted its position in shares of Southwest Airlines by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 24,857 shares of the airline’s stock worth $806,000 after buying an additional 333 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in shares of Southwest Airlines by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 14,285 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $456,000 after buying an additional 341 shares during the last quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Southwest Airlines by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 10,791 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $344,000 after buying an additional 343 shares during the last quarter. CI Investments Inc. raised its stake in Southwest Airlines by 11.0% during the third quarter. CI Investments Inc. now owns 3,545 shares of the airline’s stock worth $113,000 after acquiring an additional 350 shares during the period. Finally, Foundations Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in Southwest Airlines by 6.1% during the second quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,547 shares of the airline’s stock worth $212,000 after acquiring an additional 374 shares during the period. 80.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their target price on Southwest Airlines from $31.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Rothschild & Co Redburn increased their price target on Southwest Airlines from $27.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Susquehanna raised their price target on Southwest Airlines from $45.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $29.00 to $32.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Southwest Airlines from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $47.71.

Southwest Airlines Price Performance

NYSE LUV opened at $42.86 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $46.77 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $38.60. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 52 week low of $23.82 and a 52 week high of $55.11. The stock has a market cap of $21.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 51.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.30 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a current ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The airline reported $0.58 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.56 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $7.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.51 billion. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 6.18% and a net margin of 1.57%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.56 earnings per share. Southwest Airlines has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.000- EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.450- EPS. Analysts forecast that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 1.55 EPS for the current year.

Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 12th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. Southwest Airlines’s payout ratio is presently 85.71%.

Southwest Airlines News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Southwest Airlines this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Southwest will present at the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference — a chance for management to outline strategy, guidance and capital allocation to investors; the audio webcast will be available on Southwest’s IR site. Southwest Airlines to Present at the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts at Zacks include LUV among “3 Airline Stocks to Bet On” despite the fuel spike, which supports the narrative that Southwest’s low‑cost model and market position could outperform over time. 3 Airline Stocks to Bet On Despite the Sharp Fuel Price Increase
• Neutral Sentiment: TD Cowen trimmed its price target on LUV from $66 to $55 but kept a “buy” rating — that reduces headline upside but maintains analyst support; investors will watch whether management beats or revises guidance at upcoming events. Benzinga
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage on fuel‑hedging shows winners and losers across global airlines; Southwest’s exposure and hedging strategy will determine how much of the fuel spike flows to margins versus fares. Global airlines: Fuel‑hedging winners and losers in the oil spike
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks/industry commentary notes several U.S. carriers cutting or softening forecasts due to rising fuel costs, uneven demand and geopolitical disruptions — a sectorwide headwind that is weighing on LUV’s share price. Time to Buy Airline Stocks for a Rebound, or is it Too Soon?
• Negative Sentiment: News coverage highlights rising jet fuel and flight disruptions tied to the Middle East conflict, with airlines (including Southwest) trading lower as investors price in higher costs and potential cancellations. ‘Airfares are likely to rise’: Rising jet fuel costs send airline stocks reeling
• Negative Sentiment: Analysis points to operational pressures for Southwest — higher fuel, wage inflation, aircraft delivery delays and service changes — which increase short‑term margin risk until fares or hedges offset costs. Southwest Airlines Weighs Geopolitical Fuel Shock Against Service Changes And Valuation

Southwest Airlines Company 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.