Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK – Get Free Report)’s stock price rose 5.8% on Friday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The company traded as high as $51.50 and last traded at $51.7090. Approximately 3,226,444 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 2% from the average daily volume of 3,291,101 shares. The stock had previously closed at $48.86.
The transportation company reported $0.43 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.11 by $0.32. The business had revenue of $3.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.64 billion. Alaska Air Group had a return on equity of 7.26% and a net margin of 0.70%.The business’s quarterly revenue was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.97 EPS. 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.
Trending Headlines about Alaska Air Group
Here are the key news stories impacting Alaska Air Group this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Q4 adjusted EPS beat expectations (adjusted $0.43 vs. consensus $0.11), providing an upside surprise that likely supported the rally. Alaska Air Group reports fourth quarter and full year 2025 results
- Positive Sentiment: Management issued FY2026 EPS guidance of $3.50–$6.50 and said momentum is accelerating (integration with Hawaiian Airlines cited), which gives investors a multi‑quarter thesis for earnings improvement. Alaska Air Group reports fourth quarter and full year 2025 results
- Positive Sentiment: Company and analysts are pointing to a pickup in bookings late in Q4 and management expects a “meaningful” improvement in 2026 EPS, reinforcing forward optimism. Alaska Air expects ‘meaningful’ improvement in 2026 EPS
- Neutral Sentiment: Revenue grew modestly (about 2.8% y/y to $3.63B) but came in roughly flat to slightly below some estimates — a mixed top‑line print that tempers the EPS beat. Earnings snapshot / conference call
- Negative Sentiment: Near‑term guidance disappointed: Q1 2026 EPS was guided to -$1.50 to -$0.50 (worse than consensus), which is a short‑term drag and heightens execution risk. Alaska Air Group reports fourth quarter and full year 2025 results
- Negative Sentiment: CEO flagged operational risks from a major winter storm that could disrupt flights and add costs — a near‑term catalyst for volatility in revenue and margins. Alaska Airlines CEO on potential impact to flights from massive winter storm
- Negative Sentiment: Management warned of fuel/refinery risks in California that could increase costs or constrain operations, a material input‑cost risk for airlines. Alaska Airlines CEO: California refineries are a big risk for us going forward
- Negative Sentiment: Detailed quarter metrics show steep year‑over‑year declines in profitability and cash balances, higher cost of sales and rising capex/liabilities — longer‑term fundamentals that could limit upside until margins recover. Q4 results: modest revenue growth, EPS beats but profitability slumps
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
View Our Latest Stock Report on ALK
Institutional Trading of Alaska Air Group
Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. MAI Capital Management grew its position in shares of Alaska Air Group by 80.5% during the 2nd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 628 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. AlphaQuest LLC acquired a new stake in Alaska Air Group during the third quarter worth about $34,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 43.2% in the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 838 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 253 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Country Trust Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Alaska Air Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $45,000. 81.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Alaska Air Group Stock Up 4.1%
The company has a current ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $47.94 and a 200-day moving average of $50.79. The firm has a market cap of $5.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 58.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.22.
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.
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