Southwest Airlines Co. $LUV Holdings Lowered by U S Global Investors Inc.

U S Global Investors Inc. lessened its position in shares of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) by 20.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,107,325 shares of the airline’s stock after selling 555,956 shares during the period. Southwest Airlines accounts for 9.3% of U S Global Investors Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 2nd largest position. U S Global Investors Inc.’s holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $87,096,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in LUV. Nvest Wealth Strategies Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 4th quarter valued at $47,000. Evergreen Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 4th quarter valued at $439,000. Richards Merrill & Peterson Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Tred Avon Family Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 4th quarter valued at $213,000. Finally, Financial Management Professionals Inc. raised its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 85.6% during the 4th quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 2,584 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $107,000 after purchasing an additional 1,192 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.82% of the company’s stock.

Southwest Airlines Price Performance

Shares of Southwest Airlines stock opened at $37.79 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 capitalization of $18.56 billion, a PE ratio of 24.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.19. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $42.96 and its 200-day moving average price is $40.14. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 12 month low of $24.63 and a 12 month high of $55.11.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 22nd. The airline reported $0.45 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.45. The firm had revenue of $7.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.46 billion. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 10.30% and a net margin of 2.83%.The company’s revenue was up 12.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned ($0.13) EPS. Southwest Airlines has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 0.350-0.650 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 2.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 12th were given a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 12th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Southwest Airlines’s dividend payout ratio is 85.71%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently issued reports on LUV. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $32.00 to $30.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 1st. Rothschild & Co Redburn boosted their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $27.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $57.50 to $45.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $50.00 to $44.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 16th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Southwest Airlines from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, March 14th. Eight research 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 company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $43.79.

Key Headlines Impacting Southwest Airlines

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

• Positive Sentiment: Management says its transformation initiatives are in place and drove margin expansion, record first‑quarter revenues and improved operating performance — a structural improvement investors can model into future margins. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Raymond James raised its price target, citing stronger-than-expected margin performance from the transformation and higher unit revenues — a sign some analysts view the company’s strategy as working despite headwinds. Read More.
• Neutral Sentiment: Q1 results: EPS of $0.45 met consensus and the company reported $7.25B in revenue (year‑over‑year revenue growth), showing recovery in demand but only modest upside versus expectations. Read More.
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst notes and transcripts: Earnings‑call transcripts and coverage highlight a turnaround in commercial execution while flagging key risks — useful for modeling scenarios but not a definitive buy/sell trigger. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Rising jet‑fuel costs are the dominant near‑term risk — management said higher fuel for the remainder of the year and warned that full‑year guidance is “at risk,” which increases forecast uncertainty and compresses margins. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Q2 guidance came in below some analysts’ expectations (EPS guide 0.35–0.65 with midpoint under consensus) and management said updating FY adjusted EPS isn’t productive amid macro/fuel uncertainty — a key reason the shares faded. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple market writeups warn the stock may not be priced for a sustained fuel shock; headlines and broker notes are amplifying downside risk until fuel costs stabilize. Read More.

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.