Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV – Free Report) by 16.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 522,888 shares of the airline’s stock after acquiring an additional 72,665 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. owned about 0.10% of Southwest Airlines worth $16,685,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in LUV. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Southwest Airlines in the second quarter worth about $25,000. Corsicana & Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Quent Capital LLC bought a new stake in Southwest Airlines in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 81.4% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,056 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 474 shares during the last quarter. 80.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
A number of analysts have recently weighed in on LUV shares. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $42.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $40.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Zacks Research raised shares of Southwest Airlines from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Southwest Airlines from an “underweight” rating to an “overweight” rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $36.00 to $60.00 in a report on Friday, January 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Southwest Airlines presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $46.92.
Key Southwest Airlines News
Here are the key news stories impacting Southwest Airlines this week:
- Positive Sentiment: The company implemented assigned seating and introduced bag fees, which investors see as durable revenue levers that helped ignite a year-to-date rally after the January earnings call. Southwest Airlines Shares Jump 23% in 2026 After Launching Assigned Seating and Bag Fees
- Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research sharply raised EPS forecasts across multiple quarters and years (FY2026, FY2027, FY2028 and quarterly calls), and rates LUV a “Strong‑Buy” — suggesting analysts expect materially stronger profitability and cash flow going forward. This upward revision cycle is a key driver of bullish investor sentiment. MarketBeat LUV – Zacks Research coverage
- Positive Sentiment: Coverage pieces highlighting strong cash‑flow growth versus peers reinforce the narrative that Southwest’s structural changes (revenue initiatives + cost control) are translating into superior financial performance. Southwest Airlines (LUV): Massive Cash Flow Growth Vs. Sector Peers | 2-Minute Analysis
- Positive Sentiment: Product upgrades (Starlink in-flight WiFi and a cabin overhaul) could improve ancillary revenue, customer satisfaction and competitive positioning if rollout and monetization succeed. Investors view this as a potential medium-term positive catalyst. Southwest’s Starlink WiFi and Cabin Overhaul Might Change The Case For Investing In Southwest Airlines (LUV)
- Neutral Sentiment: Management announced upcoming board of director changes; governance shifts can be neutral-to-positive depending on experience and execution but are not an immediate revenue driver. Southwest Airlines Announces Upcoming Board of Directors Changes
- Neutral Sentiment: Some analysts remain mixed on the stock; divergent views imply upside is tied to execution of revenue initiatives and cost control. Analysts’ Opinions Are Mixed on These Industrial Goods Stocks
- Negative Sentiment: A shareholder‑rights law firm (Halper Sadeh) is soliciting contacts from Southwest shareholders, signaling potential litigation or scrutiny that could create legal costs, distraction, or reputational risk. Monitor filings for specifics. Halper Sadeh LLC Encourages Southwest Airlines Co. Shareholders to Contact the Firm
Southwest Airlines Trading Up 0.5%
LUV opened at $51.06 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $44.08 and a 200 day moving average of $36.42. 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 Co. has a 12 month low of $23.82 and a 12 month high of $54.70. The firm has a market cap of $25.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 60.79, a P/E/G ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 1.15.
Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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. Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 1.57% and a return on equity of 6.18%. The business had revenue of $7.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.51 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.56 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Southwest Airlines has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.000- EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.450- EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 1.55 EPS for the current year.
Southwest Airlines Dividend Announcement
The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 12th will be issued a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 12th. Southwest Airlines’s dividend payout ratio is currently 85.71%.
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.
Further Reading
- Five stocks we like better than Southwest Airlines
- This $15 Stock Could Go Down as the #1 Stock of 2026
- I’m 70 With $1.5M: Would Converting $120K a Year to a Roth Be Smart or a Costly Mistake? (Ask An Advisor)
- America’s 1776 happening again
- Trump & Musk’s Secret Bet on Silver — Exposed
- Your Bank Account Is No Longer Safe
Receive News & Ratings for Southwest Airlines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southwest Airlines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
