Southwest Airlines Co. $LUV Shares Sold by Pacer Advisors Inc.

Pacer Advisors Inc. trimmed its holdings in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) by 39.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 25,535 shares of the airline’s stock after selling 16,615 shares during the quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $959,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of LUV. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Southwest Airlines by 100.6% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 39,347 shares of the airline’s stock worth $1,303,000 after purchasing an additional 19,729 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its stake in Southwest Airlines by 5.4% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 61,060 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $2,050,000 after purchasing an additional 3,141 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC increased its stake in Southwest Airlines by 7.6% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 7,459 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $250,000 after purchasing an additional 527 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines by 73.4% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,690 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $185,000 after buying an additional 2,408 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP raised its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines by 47.4% in the second quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 307,602 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $9,979,000 after buying an additional 98,986 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.82% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on LUV shares. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $44.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. HSBC raised Southwest Airlines from a “reduce” rating to a “hold” rating and upped their price objective for the company from $24.40 to $36.10 in a research note on Friday, April 24th. TD Cowen increased their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $47.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Bank of America lifted their target price on Southwest Airlines from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Southwest Airlines from $44.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Southwest Airlines has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $49.55.

More Southwest Airlines News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised multiple EPS forecasts for Southwest. Estimates increased for Q3 2026 to $0.73 from $0.58, FY2026 to $3.29 from $2.75, FY2027 to $4.96 from $4.63, and FY2028 to $5.83 from $5.70. The upgrades suggest analysts see improving profitability over the next several years.
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks also lifted estimates for Q1 2027, Q3 2027, Q4 2026 and Q4 2027, reinforcing a generally improving earnings trajectory. However, the firm maintained its Hold rating, indicating that valuation or execution risks remain.
• Positive Sentiment: Southwest is offering a promotional Companion Pass that allows qualifying customers to bring a companion on eligible flights for $5, with unlimited use during the first two months of next year. The offer could support bookings and customer engagement, though its effect on revenue and margins is uncertain. Southwest Airlines Companion Pass promotion
• Neutral Sentiment: Southwest’s Compensation Committee approved higher executive pay to retain its leadership team. Retaining experienced executives may support the company’s ongoing strategy, but increased compensation also raises operating expenses and could draw investor scrutiny. Southwest Airlines Raises Executive Pay to Retain Leadership
• Negative Sentiment: A few longer-term Zacks revisions were slightly negative: Q2 2027 EPS was reduced to $1.16 from $1.22 and Q2 2028 EPS to $1.29 from $1.30. These minor cuts temper, but do not reverse, the broader pattern of upward earnings revisions.

Southwest Airlines Price Performance

Shares of LUV opened at $46.97 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $47.12 and its two-hundred day moving average is $44.54. Southwest Airlines Co. has a twelve month low of $28.98 and a twelve month high of $55.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.98 billion, a PE ratio of 28.82, a P/E/G ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 1.14.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The airline reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.42. The business had revenue of $8.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.58 billion. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 14.15% and a net margin of 2.78%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 16.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.43 EPS. Southwest Airlines has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.250-4.250 EPS and its Q3 2026 guidance at 0.500-0.750 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 3.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 24th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 3rd will be given a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.5%. Southwest Airlines’s dividend payout ratio is presently 44.17%.

Southwest Airlines 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.