Quantitative Investment Management LLC Reduces Position in Southwest Airlines Co. $LUV

Quantitative Investment Management LLC decreased its holdings in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) by 41.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 21,858 shares of the airline’s stock after selling 15,425 shares during the quarter. Quantitative Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $1,123,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of LUV. SHP Wealth Management purchased a new stake in Southwest Airlines during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Entrust Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, DV Equities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines during the fourth quarter worth approximately $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.82% of the company’s stock.

Southwest Airlines Stock Performance

Southwest Airlines stock opened at $38.54 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.49 and a quick ratio of 0.42. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 12 month low of $29.26 and a 12 month high of $55.11. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $46.39 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $43.94. The company has a market cap of $18.85 billion, a PE ratio of 23.64, a P/E/G ratio of 0.36 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 for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.42. Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 2.78% and a return on equity of 14.15%. The company had revenue of $8.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $8.58 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.43 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 16.4% compared to the same quarter last year. 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 expect that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 3.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Southwest Airlines Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 24th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. Southwest Airlines’s dividend payout ratio is 44.17%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on LUV shares. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Southwest Airlines from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Evercore upped their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $44.00 to $52.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target 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. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Southwest Airlines from $58.50 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. 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, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $49.01.

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.