Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Outlook for ALK Earnings

Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q4 2026 EPS estimates for Alaska Air Group in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, April 8th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the transportation company will post earnings per share of $1.39 for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $1.28. Zacks Research currently has a “Strong Sell” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Alaska Air Group’s current full-year earnings is $6.03 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Alaska Air Group’s FY2028 earnings at $9.18 EPS.

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 22nd. The transportation company reported $0.43 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.64 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.97 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter 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.

Several other research analysts have also commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Alaska Air Group from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on shares of Alaska Air Group from $68.00 to $61.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 1st. Cantor Fitzgerald set a $63.00 price objective on shares of Alaska Air Group in a research note on Friday, January 30th. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on shares of Alaska Air Group in a research note on Tuesday, March 24th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $50.00 price objective for the company. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Alaska Air Group from $60.00 to $53.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Alaska Air Group has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $63.67.

Alaska Air Group Trading Up 0.0%

NYSE ALK opened at $39.92 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $46.25 and a 200-day simple moving average of $47.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 0.50. Alaska Air Group has a one year low of $33.03 and a one year high of $65.88. The firm has a market cap of $4.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.89, a PEG ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.27.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ALK. Capital Research Global Investors raised its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 86.8% during the fourth quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 3,175,350 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $159,720,000 after purchasing an additional 1,475,350 shares in the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 19,661.8% during the fourth quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,235,901 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $62,166,000 after purchasing an additional 1,229,647 shares in the last quarter. Jain Global LLC acquired a new stake in Alaska Air Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $53,683,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 1,563.7% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,092,368 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $54,378,000 after purchasing an additional 1,026,710 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in Alaska Air Group during the third quarter worth approximately $48,583,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.90% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Shane R. Tackett sold 24,000 shares of Alaska Air Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.15, for a total value of $1,371,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 43,377 shares in the company, valued at $2,478,995.55. The trade was a 35.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kyle B. Levine sold 2,945 shares of Alaska Air Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.02, for a total transaction of $176,758.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 20,977 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,259,039.54. This represents a 12.31% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 56,945 shares of company stock worth $3,204,569 over the last 90 days. 1.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Trending Headlines about Alaska Air Group

Here are the key news stories impacting Alaska Air Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Alaska Airlines returned as the official airline of Coachella and Stagecoach — a marketing push that highlights network strength to Palm Springs and can support bookings on festival routes. PR Newswire
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks Research raised some long-range EPS estimates (Q4 2026 and FY2028) even while maintaining a “Strong Sell” rating — a mixed signal: improved distant-year numbers but persistent near-term skepticism. Zacks / Market commentary
• Neutral Sentiment: Company and market headlines are being aggregated broadly (e.g., CNN stock pages), which can amplify volatility but add no single new catalyst. CNN: Alaska Air Group
• Negative Sentiment: ALK updated Q1 2026 EPS guidance to -2.00 to -1.50 vs. consensus of -0.94 — a material downside surprise that signals weaker near-term demand and/or higher unit costs; this is the primary driver of negative sentiment and downward pressure on the stock today.
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research downgraded ALK to “Strong Sell” and added it to its Rank #5 list, citing rising fuel costs, weaker demand in key markets and estimate cuts — analyst posture now tilts bearish and can prompt selling or lower target prices. Zacks: Avoid ALK
• Negative Sentiment: Broader concerns flagged by analysts — rising fuel costs and soft demand — increase execution risk into spring; investors will watch bookings, unit revenue trends and any management commentary on capacity or fuel hedges for signs of stabilization. Zacks: Analyst coverage overview

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.