JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ:JBLU) Upgraded at Seaport Research Partners

Seaport Research Partners upgraded shares of JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ:JBLU) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Thursday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. They currently have $8.00 target price on the transportation company’s stock.

A number of other analysts have also issued reports on JBLU. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of JetBlue Airways from $4.00 to $3.50 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 16th. TD Cowen upgraded JetBlue Airways from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 10th. Evercore upped their target price on JetBlue Airways from $5.00 to $6.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on JetBlue Airways from $5.00 to $6.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of JetBlue Airways in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned 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 “Reduce” and an average price target of $4.88.

JetBlue Airways Stock Up 6.5%

Shares of NASDAQ:JBLU opened at $5.87 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.65. JetBlue Airways has a 52-week low of $3.45 and a 52-week high of $6.50. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $5.01 and its 200-day simple moving average is $4.83. The company has a market capitalization of $2.18 billion, a P/E ratio of -3.51 and a beta of 1.75.

JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ:JBLU) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The transportation company reported ($0.49) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.45) by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $2.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.22 billion. JetBlue Airways had a negative return on equity of 25.62% and a negative net margin of 6.64%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($0.21) EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that JetBlue Airways will post -0.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in JBLU. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC acquired a new stake in JetBlue Airways during the third quarter worth about $1,129,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its stake in shares of JetBlue Airways by 17.6% in the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,951,255 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $9,600,000 after purchasing an additional 291,758 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its stake in shares of JetBlue Airways by 372.1% in the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 485,945 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,391,000 after purchasing an additional 383,018 shares in the last quarter. ING Groep NV purchased a new stake in shares of JetBlue Airways during the 3rd quarter worth about $4,920,000. Finally, Citigroup Inc. grew its holdings in shares of JetBlue Airways by 91.0% during the 3rd quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 813,375 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $4,002,000 after purchasing an additional 387,543 shares during the period. 83.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting JetBlue Airways

Here are the key news stories impacting JetBlue Airways this week:

• Positive Sentiment: JetBlue secured a $500 million aircraft-backed financing facility, which should help near-term liquidity and aircraft funding needs. JetBlue Secures $500 Million Aircraft-Backed Financing Facility
• Positive Sentiment: An analyst upgrade to “Buy” from Seaport Research Partners likely lifted sentiment and demand for the shares. JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ:JBLU) Upgraded to “Buy” at Seaport Research Partners
• Positive Sentiment: Broader airline-sector tailwinds: oil prices eased after Iran signaled the Strait of Hormuz will remain open, reducing near-term fuel-disruption risk and boosting airline stocks generally. Airline stocks jump as oil eases, Strait of Hormuz reopening boosts sentiment
• Positive Sentiment: JetBlue launched seasonal transatlantic flights from Boston to Barcelona, expanding international capacity and revenue opportunities in a higher-yield market. JetBlue Expands Transatlantic Service from Boston with New Flights to Barcelona Starting Today
• Neutral Sentiment: Political/lawmaker pressure: lawmakers urged airlines to cut fares if fuel costs fall, which could limit upside to margins if carriers respond. This is a policy risk to monitor. Airline CEOs urged by lawmaker to lower fares if fuel prices come down
• Negative Sentiment: Founder David Neeleman warned the airline could face bankruptcy, a headline that raises investor concern about solvency and governance perception despite management statements. JetBlue founder Neeleman warns airline could face bankruptcy
• Negative Sentiment: Separate coverage highlights a potential jet-fuel shortage in Europe tied to Middle East tensions — a supply-side risk that could push fuel costs or constrain international operations. Jet fuel shortage could ground European airlines very soon

About JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Airways Corporation is a low-cost scheduled passenger airline headquartered in Long Island City, New York. Since commencing service in 2000, the carrier has built a reputation for combining competitive fares with enhanced onboard amenities, including free in-flight entertainment, complimentary snacks and beverages, and onboard Wi-Fi. JetBlue operates a single fleet type of Airbus A320 family and Embraer 190 aircraft, which supports its focus on efficiency and operational consistency.

The airline’s core offerings include economy-class travel and a premium business-class product known as Mint, which features lie-flat seats, curated culinary options and elevated service on select transcontinental and international routes.