Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK) Updates Q1 2026 Earnings Guidance
by Scott Moore · The Cerbat GemAlaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK – Get Free Report) updated its first quarter 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of -2.000–1.500 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of -0.940. The company issued revenue guidance of -.
Alaska Air Group Stock Performance
Shares of ALK traded up $0.01 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $39.92. 3,585,749 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,288,745. The company has a quick ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17. Alaska Air Group has a 52 week low of $33.03 and a 52 week high of $65.88. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $46.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $47.12. The firm has a market cap of $4.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 1.27.
Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The transportation company reported $0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.11 by $0.32. The business had revenue of $3.63 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.64 billion. Alaska Air Group had a return on equity of 7.22% and a net margin of 0.70%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.97 earnings per share. Alaska Air Group has set its Q1 2026 guidance at -1.500–0.500 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 3.500-6.500 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Alaska Air Group will post 6.03 EPS for the current year.
Analyst Ratings Changes
Several equities analysts have commented on ALK shares. Raymond James Financial reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $71.00 target price on shares of Alaska Air Group in a report on Friday, December 19th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Alaska Air Group from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Monday, March 9th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on Alaska Air Group in a report on Tuesday, March 24th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $50.00 target price on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on Alaska Air Group from $68.00 to $61.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. Finally, Zacks Research lowered Alaska Air Group from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Alaska Air Group presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $63.67.
Read Our Latest Research Report on ALK
Insider Transactions at Alaska Air Group
In other Alaska Air Group news, EVP Andrew R. Harrison sold 14,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.81, for a total value of $794,745.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 20,195 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,106,887.95. This represents a 41.79% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Kyle B. Levine sold 2,945 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.02, for a total value of $176,758.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 20,977 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,259,039.54. This represents a 12.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 56,945 shares of company stock worth $3,204,569. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.
Trending Headlines about Alaska Air Group
Here are the key news stories impacting Alaska Air Group this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Alaska Airlines was named the official airline of Coachella and Stagecoach — a high‑profile consumer marketing push that could help bookings on key leisure routes (Palm Springs) and boost brand visibility this spring. Alaska Airlines returns to the desert as the official airline of Coachella and Stagecoach
- Neutral Sentiment: Zacks published a piece highlighting bullish analyst commentary that some investors may view as reason to consider buying, but it is commentary rather than a firm rating change. Wall Street Bulls Look Optimistic About Alaska Air (ALK): Should You Buy?
- Neutral Sentiment: Zacks also nudged up its Q4 2026 and FY2028 EPS forecasts modestly (Q4 to $1.39, FY2028 to $9.18), which is a constructive signal for longer‑term earnings power but offset by the firm’s negative rating. Zacks Research estimates update
- Negative Sentiment: Management cut Q1 2026 guidance sharply to an EPS range of -2.000 to -1.500 versus a consensus near -0.94 — a material miss that directly pressures near‑term profitability expectations and the share price.
- Negative Sentiment: Zacks downgraded ALK to a “Strong Sell” and added it to its Rank #5 list, amplifying sell‑side pressure and likely contributing to investor caution. Zacks downgrade / TickerReport
- Negative Sentiment: A Zacks feature advising investors to avoid ALK cited rising fuel costs, weak demand in some markets and steep estimate cuts — factors that reinforce the negative guidance and downgrade narrative. Here’s Why Investors Should Avoid Alaska Air Group Stock for Now
Institutional Investors Weigh In On Alaska Air Group
Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Brighton Jones LLC increased its position in Alaska Air Group by 2,046.4% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 96,932 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $6,276,000 after acquiring an additional 92,416 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC increased its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 60.2% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 6,423 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $316,000 after purchasing an additional 2,414 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 81.7% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 340,258 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $16,747,000 after purchasing an additional 152,953 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Alaska Air Group during the 1st quarter worth $1,318,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 357,520 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $17,690,000 after buying an additional 9,307 shares during the period. 81.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Alaska Air Group Company Profile
Alaska Air Group is a publicly traded holding company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, that operates two main airlines—Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. Through these carriers, the company offers scheduled passenger and cargo services across a network spanning the United States, Canada and Mexico. Its core business activities include domestic and international air transportation, loyalty program management under the Mileage Plan brand, and ancillary revenue streams such as baggage fees, in-flight sales and code-share partnerships with other global airlines.
The roots of Alaska Air Group trace back to the foundation of its flagship carrier, Alaska Airlines, in 1932.