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LUV Stock Forecast 2026-2027
$40.92
Current Price
$20.10B
Market Cap
Buy 11
Hold 9
Sell 5
Wall St Analyst Ratings
Distance to LUV Price Targets
+46.6%
To High Target of $60.00
+10.0%
To Median Target of $45.00
-40.4%
To Low Target of $24.40
LUV Price Momentum
-1.9%
1 Week Change
+3.8%
1 Month Change
+65.3%
1 Year Change
-1.0%
Year-to-Date Change
-25.7%
From 52W High of $55.11
+71.8%
From 52W Low of $23.82
📊 TOP ANALYST CALLS
Did LUV Make This Month's Elite Buy List?
We don't follow just any analyst — only the top 3% with a proven track record make our cut. See if Southwest Airlines is one of their latest high-conviction picks.
Latest LUV Stock Price Targets & Analyst Predictions
Based on our analysis of 35 Wall Street analysts, LUV has a neutral consensus with a median price target of $45.00 (ranging from $24.40 to $60.00). The overall analyst rating is Buy (6.8/10). Currently trading at $40.92, the median forecast implies a 10.0% upside. This outlook is supported by 11 Buy, 9 Hold, and 5 Sell ratings.
The most optimistic forecast comes from Jamie Baker at JP Morgan, projecting a 46.6% upside.
Please note that analyst price targets are forward-looking estimates subject to substantial market, economic, and company-specific risks. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and actual stock performance may materially differ from these projections. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consider their investment objectives and risk tolerance before making investment decisions.
LUV Analyst Ratings
11
Buy
9
Hold
5
Sell
LUV Price Target Range
Low
$24.40
Average
$45.00
High
$60.00
Current: $40.92
Latest LUV Stock Forecasts by Analyst
These are the latest 20 analyst ratings and price targets for LUV.
| Date | Firm | Analyst | Rating | Change | Price Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 26, 2026 | Freedom Broker | Sergey Glinyanov | Buy | Maintains | $41.00 |
| Mar 23, 2026 | UBS | Atul Maheswari | Buy | Maintains | $56.00 |
| Mar 20, 2026 | Citigroup | John Godyn | Neutral | Maintains | $44.00 |
| Mar 16, 2026 | UBS | Atul Maheswari | Buy | Maintains | $59.00 |
| Mar 16, 2026 | Wells Fargo | Christian Wetherbee | Equal-Weight | Maintains | $44.00 |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Jefferies | Sheila Kahyaoglu | Hold | Maintains | $41.00 |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Evercore ISI Group | Duane Pfennigwerth | In-Line | Maintains | $43.00 |
| Mar 9, 2026 | TD Cowen | Tom Fitzgerald | Buy | Maintains | $55.00 |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Rothschild & Co | James Goodall | Sell | Maintains | $35.00 |
| Feb 27, 2026 | TD Cowen | Tom Fitzgerald | Buy | Upgrade | $66.00 |
| Feb 17, 2026 | UBS | Atul Maheswari | Buy | Upgrade | $73.00 |
| Feb 3, 2026 | Susquehanna | Christopher Stathoulopoulos | Neutral | Maintains | $55.00 |
| Feb 2, 2026 | Jefferies | Sheila Kahyaoglu | Hold | Maintains | $48.00 |
| Feb 2, 2026 | UBS | Atul Maheswari | Neutral | Maintains | $51.00 |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Freedom Broker | Buy | Maintains | $N/A | |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Goldman Sachs | Catherine O'Brien | Sell | Maintains | $32.00 |
| Jan 30, 2026 | BMO Capital | Michael Goldie | Outperform | Upgrade | $57.50 |
| Jan 30, 2026 | TD Cowen | Tom Fitzgerald | Hold | Maintains | $50.00 |
| Jan 30, 2026 | B of A Securities | Andrew Didora | Underperform | Maintains | $42.00 |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Wells Fargo | Christian Wetherbee | Equal-Weight | Maintains | $50.00 |
Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) Competitors
The following stocks are similar to Southwest Airlines based on their market capitalization and industry sector. These similar stocks potentially provide investors with alternative investment opportunities within the same market segment.
LUV
Southwest
mkt cap
20.98B
Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) Financial Data
Southwest Airlines Co. has a market capitalization of $20.10B with a P/E ratio of 51.8x. The company generates $28.06B in trailing twelve-month revenue with a 1.6% profit margin.
Revenue growth is +7.4% quarter-over-quarter, while maintaining an operating margin of +5.1% and return on equity of +4.8%.
Valuation Metrics
Market Cap
$20.10B
Enterprise Value
$22.85B
P/E Ratio
51.8x
PEG Ratio
1.2x
Price/Sales
0.7x
Growth & Margins
Revenue Growth (YoY)
+7.4%
Gross Margin
+20.3%
Operating Margin
+5.1%
Net Margin
+1.6%
EPS Growth
+23.8%
Financial Health
Cash/Price Ratio
+16.1%
Current Ratio
0.5x
Debt/Equity
74.9x
ROE
+4.8%
ROA
+1.0%
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Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) Business Model
About Southwest Airlines Co.
What They Do
Major low-cost passenger airline serving various markets.
Business Model
The company operates a low-cost airline model, generating revenue primarily through ticket sales for its scheduled flights. They utilize a single-aircraft-type fleet of Boeing 737s, which streamlines operations and reduces costs. Additionally, Southwest Airlines earns income from ancillary services such as EarlyBird Check-In, bag fees, and their Rapid Rewards loyalty program, enhancing profitability beyond just ticket sales.
Additional Information
Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Southwest Airlines emphasizes operational reliability and customer-friendly policies, such as no assigned seating and recent offerings of assigned seating and basic economy fares. They serve both leisure and business travelers, focusing on high-frequency service and maintaining a competitive edge in the airline industry.
Company Information
Sector
Industrials
Industry
Airlines
Employees
77,397
CEO
Mr. Robert E. Jordan
Country
United States
IPO Year
1980
Website
www.southwest.comSouthwest Airlines Co. (LUV) Latest News & Analysis
Featured Analysis
Powered by
Zacks Investment Research
Southwest Airlines to Report Q1 Earnings: What's in the Cards?
LUV's Q1 revenues are likely to have benefited from resilient travel demand and improved pricing power, with rising fuel and labor costs acting as the key challenges.
Apr 17, 2026
By Zacks Equity Research
Analyst Blog
Will American Airlines (AAL) Report Negative Earnings Next Week? What You Should Know
American Airlines (AAL) doesn't possess the right combination of the two key ingredients for a likely earnings beat in its upcoming report. Get prepared with the key expectations.
Apr 16, 2026
By Zacks Equity Research
Tale of the Tape
Southwest Airlines (LUV) Earnings Expected to Grow: Should You Buy?
Southwest (LUV) doesn't possess the right combination of the two key ingredients for a likely earnings beat in its upcoming report. Get prepared with the key expectations.
Apr 15, 2026
By Zacks Equity Research
Tale of the Tape
Latest News
Quick Summary
Southwest Airlines is transforming its business model to align with legacy carriers, targeting $2B in annual revenue growth by 2026 through new revenue initiatives, while maintaining strong financial health.
Why It Matters
Southwest Airlines' strategic shift to align with legacy carriers and focus on revenue growth enhances its profitability outlook, supports margin expansion, and positions it favorably against rising fuel costs.
Source: Seeking Alpha
Market Sentiment:
Positive
Ahead of Southwest (LUV) Q1 Earnings: Get Ready With Wall Street Estimates for Key Metrics
5 days ago
Quick Summary
Southwest Airlines (LUV) is expected to show significant performance insights for Q1 2026, with analysts focusing on key metrics beyond standard revenue and earnings estimates.
Why It Matters
Insight into key metrics beyond estimates can reveal underlying performance trends for Southwest (LUV), impacting investor sentiment and stock valuation for the upcoming quarter.
Source: Zacks Investment Research
Market Sentiment:
Neutral
Quick Summary
Airline stocks rose as oil prices dropped after Iran confirmed the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial vessels, easing concerns over potential disruptions to global oil supply.
Why It Matters
Eased oil prices and reduced geopolitical tensions support airline profitability, boosting stock performance and investor confidence in the sector.
Source: Proactive Investors
Market Sentiment:
Positive
Quick Summary
The S&P 500 rebounded from a 9% decline in just 11 trading sessions, the quickest recovery since at least 1990, and reached a new record high within 54 sessions.
Why It Matters
The S&P 500's rapid recovery signifies strong market resilience, potentially boosting investor confidence and indicating positive economic momentum, which can influence investment strategies.
Source: Forbes
Market Sentiment:
Positive
Quick Summary
Airlines are raising prices and reducing perks amid high demand, indicating airfare is unlikely to decrease soon, according to Points Guy Founder Brian Kelly.
Why It Matters
Rising airfare and reduced perks indicate strong demand, suggesting airlines can maintain profitability despite cost increases, impacting stock performance and investor sentiment in the sector.
Source: Bloomberg Markets and Finance
Market Sentiment:
Negative
Quick Summary
United Airlines and Royal Caribbean stocks are among the top gainers in the S&P 500, buoyed by investor confidence in Trump's potential to achieve peace.
Why It Matters
United Airlines and Royal Caribbean shares rising indicates investor optimism, potentially signaling increased travel and leisure demand, which can boost revenue and stock performance in these sectors.
Source: Market Watch
Market Sentiment:
Positive
Frequently Asked Questions About LUV Stock
What is Southwest Airlines Co.'s (LUV) stock forecast for 2026?
Based on our analysis of 35 Wall Street analysts, Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) has a median price target of $45.00. The highest price target is $60.00 and the lowest is $24.40.
Is LUV stock a good investment in 2026?
According to current analyst ratings, LUV has 11 Buy ratings, 9 Hold ratings, and 5 Sell ratings. The stock is currently trading at $40.92. Always conduct your own research and consider your investment goals before making investment decisions.
What is the long-term price prediction for LUV stock?
Wall Street analysts predict LUV stock could reach $45.00 in the next 12 months. This represents a 10.0% increase from the current price of $40.92. Please note that this is a projection by Wall Street analysts and not a guarantee.
What is Southwest Airlines Co.'s business model?
The company operates a low-cost airline model, generating revenue primarily through ticket sales for its scheduled flights. They utilize a single-aircraft-type fleet of Boeing 737s, which streamlines operations and reduces costs. Additionally, Southwest Airlines earns income from ancillary services such as EarlyBird Check-In, bag fees, and their Rapid Rewards loyalty program, enhancing profitability beyond just ticket sales.
What is the highest forecasted price for LUV Southwest Airlines Co.?
The highest price target for LUV is $60.00 from Jamie Baker at JP Morgan, which represents a 46.6% increase from the current price of $40.92.
What is the lowest forecasted price for LUV Southwest Airlines Co.?
The lowest price target for LUV is $24.40 from at , which represents a -40.4% decrease from the current price of $40.92.
What is the overall LUV consensus from analysts for Southwest Airlines Co.?
The overall analyst consensus for LUV is neutral. Out of 35 Wall Street analysts, 11 rate it as Buy, 9 as Hold, and 5 as Sell, with a median price target of $45.00.
How accurate are LUV stock price projections?
Stock price projections, including those for Southwest Airlines Co., are based on various factors including financial models, market conditions, and analyst forecasts. While these predictions provide valuable insights, they should be considered alongside your own research and risk tolerance.
Important Disclaimer
The information provided by Ticker Nerd is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be considered financial or investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Analyst ratings and price forecasts are sourced from Wall St analysts and other experts. These projections are speculative and do not guarantee future stock performance.
Last updated: April 22, 2026 11:32 AM UTC