Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) Price Target Raised to $65.00

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) had its target price hoisted by equities research analysts at Barclays from $56.00 to $65.00 in a report issued on Thursday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage currently has an “overweight” rating on the airline’s stock. Barclays‘s price target points to a potential upside of 23.76% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on LUV. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on Southwest Airlines from $32.00 to $30.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. Citigroup decreased their price target on Southwest Airlines from $54.00 to $44.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 20th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $50.00 to $44.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $58.00 to $56.00 in a report on Friday, March 27th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, June 1st. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and five have issued 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 target price of $45.80.

Southwest Airlines Stock Up 3.1%

Shares of NYSE:LUV traded up $1.58 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $52.52. 499,236 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,602,199. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.48 and a quick ratio of 0.41. Southwest Airlines has a 12 month low of $28.98 and a 12 month high of $55.11. The company has a market cap of $25.67 billion, a PE ratio of 33.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 1.15. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $41.95 and a 200-day moving average price of $43.03.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 22nd. The airline reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.45. The business had revenue of $7.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $8.46 billion. Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 2.83% and a return on equity of 10.66%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned ($0.13) EPS. Southwest Airlines has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 0.350-0.650 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Southwest Airlines will post 2.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Southwest Airlines

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

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.