Alaska Air Group Stock Drops 7.5% After Disappointing Trading Session

Shares of the airline company fall amid broader market volatility

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Shares of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) dropped 7.5% during mid-day trading on Thursday, closing at $44.71. The decline came on lower-than-average trading volume, with approximately 1.9 million shares changing hands compared to the typical daily volume of 3.4 million. The stock had previously closed at $48.35.

Why it matters

The sharp drop in Alaska Air Group's stock price is likely due to broader market volatility and concerns about the airline industry's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. As one of the major U.S. carriers, Alaska Air Group's performance is seen as an indicator of the overall health of the sector.

The details

Several research analysts have recently adjusted their price targets and ratings for Alaska Air Group. Susquehanna lifted its price target from $52 to $70 and maintained a "positive" rating, while Barclays reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and increased its price target from $60 to $70. However, Weiss Ratings lowered its rating on the stock from "hold (c-)" to "sell (d+)".

  • Alaska Air Group's stock price dropped 7.5% during mid-day trading on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

A publicly traded holding company that operates two main airlines, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, offering scheduled passenger and cargo services across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

The drop in Alaska Air Group's stock price highlights the ongoing challenges facing the airline industry as it works to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Investors will be closely watching the company's performance and any further updates from analysts as the industry navigates these uncertain times.