Southwest Airlines (LUV) Projected to Post Quarterly Earnings on Wednesday

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) is anticipated to issue its Q3 2026 results after the market closes on Wednesday, October 21st. Analysts expect Southwest Airlines to post earnings of $0.5720 per share and revenue of $8.25 billion for the quarter. 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. Individuals are encouraged to explore the company’s upcoming Q3 2026 earnings results page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 firm’s quarterly revenue was up 16.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.43 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect Southwest Airlines to post $2.98 EPS for the current fiscal year and $4.84 EPS for the next fiscal year.

Southwest Airlines Stock Performance

Shares of Southwest Airlines stock opened at $39.49 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 firm has a market capitalization of $19.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.23, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.16. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $41.02 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $42.83. Southwest Airlines has a 12 month low of $29.26 and a 12 month high of $55.11.

Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 24th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 3rd were given a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Southwest Airlines’s dividend payout ratio is currently 44.17%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently issued reports on LUV. TD Cowen decreased their price target on shares of Southwest Airlines from $48.00 to $47.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 2nd. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Southwest Airlines from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, September 5th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Southwest Airlines from $44.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Southwest Airlines from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of Southwest Airlines from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 6th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Southwest Airlines presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $47.41.

Southwest Airlines News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: UBS maintains a Buy rating. UBS lowered its price target modestly to $52 from $53, but the new target still implies substantial potential upside from recent trading levels. The continued Buy rating signals confidence in Southwest’s longer-term recovery and earnings outlook. UBS Adjusts Southwest Airlines Price Target
• Positive Sentiment: Rapid Rewards is being repositioned to generate more high-value customer revenue. Southwest plans to replace its existing A-List structure with Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers, while adding expanded redemption options, premium benefits, lounges and Starlink Wi-Fi. The changes could improve customer loyalty, attract affluent travelers and increase ancillary revenue, although the financial benefit will take time to develop. Southwest Revamps Loyalty Program
• Neutral Sentiment: Third-quarter earnings are the next major catalyst. Analysts are examining operating metrics beyond revenue and earnings, including the quality of bookings, traffic and revenue performance. Southwest’s previous quarter beat expectations, but investors are now looking for evidence that its full-year 2026 guidance can be sustained and that earnings estimates are not revised lower. Southwest Q3 Earnings Analyst Insights
• Negative Sentiment: Cost pressures and the reduced UBS target are weighing on sentiment. Southwest’s upcoming results face pressure from higher fuel and labor costs. Although strong bookings and revenue growth may provide support, investors remain concerned that rising expenses could limit margin improvement and trigger earnings-estimate revisions. UBS’s target-price reduction, despite retaining a Buy rating, reinforces the near-term caution. Southwest Airlines Q3 Earnings Preview

Southwest Airlines Company Profile

Southwest Airlines Co is a major U.S. passenger airline headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The company provides scheduled air transportation for leisure and business travelers, with service connecting cities throughout the United States and selected destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.

Southwest is known for its predominantly domestic network and point-to-point operating model. In addition to passenger flights, the company offers ancillary services and air cargo transportation.