Sound Shore Management Inc. CT Sells 16,940 Shares of Southwest Airlines Co. $LUV

Sound Shore Management Inc. CT cut its stake in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) by 0.7% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,520,697 shares of the airline’s stock after selling 16,940 shares during the quarter. Southwest Airlines makes up 3.3% of Sound Shore Management Inc. CT’s portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest holding. Sound Shore Management Inc. CT owned 0.51% of Southwest Airlines worth $104,180,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. World Investment Advisors increased its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 21,148 shares of the airline’s stock worth $843,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 1.5% in the fourth quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 16,437 shares of the airline’s stock worth $682,000 after acquiring an additional 235 shares during the last quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 4.2% in the fourth quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC now owns 6,726 shares of the airline’s stock worth $278,000 after acquiring an additional 272 shares during the last quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 19,268 shares of the airline’s stock worth $792,000 after acquiring an additional 315 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its position in Southwest Airlines by 1.4% during the second quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 24,857 shares of the airline’s stock worth $806,000 after buying an additional 333 shares during the last quarter. 80.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Southwest Airlines Trading Down 2.9%

Shares of NYSE:LUV opened at $41.09 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $20.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.51, a P/E/G ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 1.15. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $39.87 and its 200-day moving average is $41.79. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 52-week low of $28.98 and a 52-week high of $55.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a current ratio of 0.48.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 22nd. The airline reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.45. The company had revenue of $7.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.46 billion. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 10.66% and a net margin of 2.83%.The firm’s revenue was up 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted ($0.13) earnings per share. Southwest Airlines has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 0.350-0.650 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 2.81 earnings per share for the current year.

Southwest Airlines Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, June 11th will be paid a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 11th. Southwest Airlines’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.45%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $42.00 to $37.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 27th. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $49.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 26th. Argus lowered their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $55.00 to $45.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 24th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $57.50 to $45.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. Finally, Rothschild & Co Redburn increased their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $27.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Nine 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. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $44.21.

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.