ING Groep NV Cuts Position in Southwest Airlines Co. $LUV

ING Groep NV lowered its holdings in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) by 86.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 109,410 shares of the airline’s stock after selling 707,624 shares during the quarter. ING Groep NV’s holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $3,491,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its stake in Southwest Airlines by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 24,857 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $806,000 after purchasing an additional 333 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of Southwest Airlines by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 14,285 shares of the airline’s stock worth $456,000 after buying an additional 341 shares in the last quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in Southwest Airlines by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 10,791 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $344,000 after acquiring an additional 343 shares during the last quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Southwest Airlines by 6.1% during the 2nd quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,547 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $212,000 after acquiring an additional 374 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wallace Advisory Group LLC raised its position in Southwest Airlines by 3.6% during the second quarter. Wallace Advisory Group LLC now owns 11,050 shares of the airline’s stock worth $371,000 after acquiring an additional 386 shares during the last quarter. 80.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on LUV. Seaport Research Partners increased their price target on shares of Southwest Airlines from $57.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Susquehanna increased their target price on Southwest Airlines from $45.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Zacks Research raised Southwest Airlines from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Southwest Airlines from $29.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Southwest Airlines in a research note on Monday, December 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $46.92.

Southwest Airlines Stock Down 1.2%

Shares of NYSE:LUV opened at $50.80 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The firm has a market cap of $24.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 60.48, a PEG ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 1.15. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $43.81 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $36.21. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 12-month low of $23.82 and a 12-month high of $54.70.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The airline reported $0.58 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.56 by $0.02. Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 1.57% and a return on equity of 6.18%. The business had revenue of $7.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.51 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.56 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. Southwest Airlines has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.000- EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.450- EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 1.55 EPS for the current year.

Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 12th. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. Southwest Airlines’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 85.71%.

Southwest Airlines News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised earnings estimates across upcoming quarters and issued a “Strong‑Buy” for LUV, lifting Q3 and Q4 2027 and FY2028 EPS views — a sign analysts see stronger profitability ahead, which supports valuation and investor confidence. Zacks Research raises estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Southwest announced it will roll out SpaceX Starlink ultra‑fast WiFi across its network starting this summer — a potential revenue/differentiation boost (better passenger experience, ancillary sales) that could support yields and ancillary growth. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES BRINGS STARLINK ULTRA-FAST WIFI ONBOARD
• Positive Sentiment: Third‑party analysis highlights “massive cash flow growth” versus sector peers, reinforcing the narrative that Southwest’s cash generation and operational recovery are improving relative to competitors. That supports multiple expansion if sustained. Southwest Airlines (LUV): Massive Cash Flow Growth Vs. Sector Peers
• Neutral Sentiment: Southwest announced upcoming board changes — management and the board are being reconfigured after activist involvement. Governance changes can reduce activism risk but create short‑term uncertainty until the new board is settled. Southwest Airlines Announces Upcoming Board of Directors Changes
• Neutral Sentiment: Reports confirm two Elliott‑appointed directors will step down — this may signal a de‑escalation with the activist, but the ultimate impact depends on who fills those seats and any remaining strategic demands. Southwest Airlines directors representing Elliott to step down
• Negative Sentiment: Halper Sadeh LLC issued a notice urging Southwest shareholders to contact the firm about potential claims — this suggests risk of shareholder litigation or investigations, which can create legal costs, distraction and negative sentiment. Halper Sadeh LLC Encourages Southwest Airlines Co. Shareholders to Contact the Firm

Southwest Airlines 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.