Entropy Technologies LP Grows Stake in Southwest Airlines Co. $LUV

Entropy Technologies LP increased its position in shares of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) by 70.8% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 26,469 shares of the airline’s stock after acquiring an additional 10,970 shares during the period. Entropy Technologies LP’s holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $994,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of LUV. SHP Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Southwest Airlines in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Entrust Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Optima Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. 80.82% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have weighed in on LUV. Argus dropped their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $55.00 to $45.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 24th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $44.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. HSBC raised shares of Southwest Airlines from a “reduce” rating to a “hold” rating and upped their price target for the company from $24.40 to $36.10 in a report on Friday, April 24th. Evercore increased their price target on shares of Southwest Airlines from $44.00 to $52.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 25th. Finally, Susquehanna raised their price objective on shares of Southwest Airlines from $44.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Nine 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $49.55.

Southwest Airlines Stock Up 2.3%

LUV opened at $46.41 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.49 and a quick ratio of 0.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.12. The business has a 50-day moving average of $46.34 and a two-hundred day moving average of $44.35. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 12 month low of $28.98 and a 12 month high of $55.11.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 22nd. The airline reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.52 by $0.42. Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 2.78% and a return on equity of 14.15%. The business had revenue of $8.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.58 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.43 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 16.4% on a year-over-year basis. 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. On average, research analysts expect that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 3.51 earnings per share for the current year.

Southwest Airlines Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, June 11th were given a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 11th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. Southwest Airlines’s dividend payout ratio is 44.17%.

About Southwest Airlines

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.