The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company Makes New Investment in Southwest Airlines Co. $LUV

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company acquired a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 587,410 shares of the airline’s stock, valued at approximately $30,205,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. SHP Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Entrust Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Southwest Airlines in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC bought a new position in Southwest Airlines in the first quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, DV Equities LLC acquired a new position in Southwest Airlines during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. 80.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Southwest Airlines Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:LUV opened at $39.76 on Friday. Southwest Airlines Co. has a one year low of $29.26 and a one year high of $55.11. 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 company has a market cap of $19.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.39, a PEG ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 1.14. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $46.75 and a 200 day simple moving average of $44.15.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) last posted 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. The firm had revenue of $8.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $8.58 billion. Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 2.78% and a return on equity of 14.15%. The company’s revenue was up 16.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.43 earnings per share. 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 predict that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 3.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Southwest Airlines Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 24th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Southwest Airlines’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 44.17%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

LUV has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Southwest Airlines from $60.00 to $59.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 24th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Southwest Airlines from $58.50 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Raymond James Financial reduced their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $60.00 to $54.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. Finally, Citigroup decreased their target price on Southwest Airlines from $55.00 to $50.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $49.01.

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.