LUVIndustrials · AirlinesThe 25 Wall Street analysts covering Southwest Airlines Co. hold a median 12-month price target of $52 — +15.9% from the last close. Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model, run across ~4,600 US stocks, ranks it 85 of 100 as at 13 Aug 2026 — inside the top quartile. Here, the model and the Street point the same way.
Consensus tells you what everyone already believes. The model scores Southwest Airlines Co. on its factor families — the same systematic rank behind the Ticker Nerd portfolio.
Percentile across ~4,600 US stocks on Ticker Nerd’s systematic factor model. Higher is better. How the model is built and tested
Volatility (91): The share price has been relatively steady.
Accruals (59): A large share of reported profit has not shown up as cash, or the balance sheet is expanding quickly — both tend to unwind.
Size (10): Larger than most of the companies we track — more scrutinised, less often mispriced.
Built and run by Aslam Ghouse, an ex-Goldman Sachs quant trader with fourteen years in markets.
The bullish and bearish analyst opinions on LUV, reported as data — targets and ratings, the market's view beside the model's.
Price targets and ratings are third-party analyst estimates, reported here as data. They are not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.
The green dot is the last close — the median target sits +15.9% from it.
Of the 20 most recent actions, 9 moved their price target up and 2 moved it down.
| Date | Firm | Action | Rating | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 July 2026 | BMO Capital | Maintains | Outperform | $59 → $60 |
| 24 July 2026 | Citigroup | Maintains | Neutral | $55 → $50 |
| 24 July 2026 | JP Morgan | Maintains | Overweight | $60 → $59 |
| 7 July 2026 | Susquehanna | Maintains | Neutral | $44 → $55 |
| 7 July 2026 | Susquehanna | Maintains | Neutral | — |
| 6 July 2026 | Morgan Stanley | Maintains | Overweight | — |
| 6 July 2026 | Morgan Stanley | Maintains | Overweight | $60 → $65 |
| 6 July 2026 | Raymond James | Maintains | Outperform | — |
| 6 July 2026 | Raymond James | Maintains | Outperform | $55 → $60 |
| 2 July 2026 | BMO Capital | Maintains | Outperform | — |
| 2 July 2026 | BMO Capital | Maintains | Outperform | $45 → $59 |
| 2 July 2026 | Goldman Sachs | Maintains | Sell | — |
| 2 July 2026 | Goldman Sachs | Maintains | Sell | $30 → $35 |
| 2 July 2026 | TD Cowen | Maintains | Buy | — |
| 2 July 2026 | TD Cowen | Maintains | Buy | $47 → $53 |
| 1 July 2026 | B of A Securities | Maintains | Underperform | — |
| 1 July 2026 | B of A Securities | Maintains | Underperform | $40 → $45 |
| 30 June 2026 | Wells Fargo | Maintains | Equal-Weight | — |
| 30 June 2026 | Wells Fargo | Maintains | Equal-Weight | $44 → $50 |
| 26 June 2026 | Citigroup | Maintains | Neutral | — |
Price targets and ratings are third-party analyst estimates, reported here as data. They are not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.
Computed off the Friday close and sent before the US open.
Market Radar reports the week’s largest rank changes across roughly 4,600 US stocks, the factor behind each one, and where the market went. LUV appears on the weeks it earns a place.
Not the forecast itself — the direction analysts are revising it. Revision direction is one of the model's factor families.
A margin means little on its own. Each bar marks where the figure sits across the whole US universe we score.
Cheaper than 29% of US stocks
Cheaper than 77% of US stocks
Cheaper than 34% of US stocks
Cheaper than 36% of US stocks
Higher than 65% of US stocks
Higher than 48% of US stocks
Higher than 16% of US stocks
Higher than 51% of US stocks
Higher than 54% of US stocks
Higher than 66% of US stocks
Higher than 61% of US stocks
Higher than 38% of US dividend payers
Bars mark the percentile across the ~4,600 US stocks Ticker Nerd covers, among those reporting the figure.
The nearest names by industry and size, scored by the same model — like for like.
Look up any of the roughly 4,600 stocks we score.
The rank is the raw material. Whether the rules would actually own Southwest Airlines Co. — and when they’d sell — is the membership. See the Ticker Nerd 20 →
Zacks Investment Research highlighted Southwest Airlines (LUV) as a top value stock for long-term investors, using its Zacks Style Scores system to identify strong, market-beating stocks.
Why it matters — The article positions LUV as a compelling long-term value pick, which could influence investor perception and interest in the stock.
Southwest Airlines announced the appointment of Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, and Varun Krishna, CEO of Rocket Companies, to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. The company stated the two additions bring public company leadership experience in technology, digital innovation, commercial strategy, and financial leadership.
Why it matters — LUV watchers would note that fresh board members with technology and commercial strategy expertise could factor into how the airline executes its strategic priorities.
The article reports that commercial air travel set its busiest day on record, and notes that three major carriers posted strong second-quarter results. However, it also highlights that a surge in fuel costs remains a risk factor for the airlines.
Why it matters — Record air travel demand and strong industry results point to a healthy environment for Southwest, but higher fuel costs could pressure its operating expenses.
Southwest Airlines is introducing a new offering aimed at business travelers, described as making business trips easier. The details of the offering are being presented as a package of benefits, though specific components are not detailed in this excerpt.
Why it matters — Business travelers are a key growth segment for LUV, so a new offering targeting them could broaden the airline's revenue mix beyond leisure flyers.
Oil prices fell for a second consecutive session after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's comments and other market developments reinforced expectations that inflation pressures may continue to ease.
Why it matters — Lower oil prices could reduce fuel costs for Southwest Airlines, a major operating expense for the carrier.
The 25 Wall Street analysts covering Southwest Airlines Co. have a median 12-month price target of $52, with estimates ranging from $35 to $67. These are third-party analyst estimates, not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.
Of the 25 analysts covering Southwest Airlines Co., 11 rate it a Buy, 9 a Hold and 5 a Sell. Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model ranks Southwest Airlines Co. 85 out of 100 across roughly 4,600 US stocks as at 13 Aug 2026. None of this is personal advice — it does not consider your circumstances.
As at 13 Aug 2026, Southwest Airlines Co. ranks 85 out of 100 on Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model — a percentile across roughly 4,600 US stocks, built from its factor families. Its strongest factor family is Volatility (91 of 100).
No one can know that. What the data says: the median 12-month target from 25 analysts implies +15.9% from the last close, and Ticker Nerd's factor model ranks Southwest Airlines Co. 85 out of 100 as at 13 Aug 2026. Analyst targets are third-party estimates and frequently wrong; none of this is personal advice.
No analyst covering Southwest Airlines Co. publishes a 2030 price target — Wall Street targets run 12 to 18 months out. Sites quoting a 2030 price for LUV are extrapolating price history, which says nothing about the business. The furthest attributed numbers are the current analyst targets: $35 to $67 over the next 12 months.
Southwest Airlines Co. returned +47.6% over the 12 months to 13 Aug 2026, with dividends reinvested. Past performance does not indicate future returns.
Southwest Airlines Co. is a major U.S.
The most recent item we track (Zacks Investment Research, 11 Aug 2026): "Why Southwest Airlines (LUV) is a Top Value Stock for the Long-Term". Zacks Investment Research highlighted Southwest Airlines (LUV) as a top value stock for long-term investors, using its Zacks Style Scores system to identify strong, market-beating stocks.
Southwest Airlines Co. is a major U.S. passenger airline that focuses on providing scheduled air transportation services for leisure and business travelers. The company operates an extensive point-to-point network, primarily within the United States, and also serves select destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Southwest Airlines is known for its single-class cabin configuration, open seating policy, and inclusion of benefits such as no-charge checked bags on many fares, which differentiates its service model in the commercial aviation market. The airline generates revenue through passenger fares and a range of ancillary services, including early check-in options, upgraded boarding, and travel-related fees. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Southwest Airlines plays a significant role in the North American air travel industry by emphasizing high-frequency routes, competitive pricing, and operations at both major and secondary airports. Its business is positioned within the broader industrials and transportation sector, serving individuals, small businesses, and corporate travel customers across its network.
CEO Mr. Robert E. Jordan · 73,456 employees · United States · https://www.southwest.com