Edgestream Partners L.P. Boosts Stake in Southwest Airlines Co. $LUV

Edgestream Partners L.P. grew its position in shares of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) by 9.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 168,858 shares of the airline’s stock after purchasing an additional 14,741 shares during the period. Edgestream Partners L.P.’s holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $6,344,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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

Southwest Airlines Stock Performance

Shares of LUV stock opened at $45.59 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $22.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.49. Southwest Airlines Co. has a one year low of $28.98 and a one year high of $55.11. The company’s 50-day moving average is $46.53 and its 200 day moving average is $44.37.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The airline reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.42. The firm had revenue of $8.72 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.58 billion. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 14.15% and a net margin of 2.78%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 16.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company 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. Sell-side analysts expect that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 3.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Southwest Airlines Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 24th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 3rd. Southwest Airlines’s dividend payout ratio is currently 44.17%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

LUV has been the subject of several research analyst reports. TD Cowen increased their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $47.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Southwest Airlines from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, July 6th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Southwest Airlines from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Southwest Airlines from $55.00 to $50.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Argus decreased their price objective 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. 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $49.55.

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.