Southwest Airlines Stock Hits 3-Year Highs on Double-Upgrade

Core Viewpoint - Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE:LUV) has experienced a significant stock increase, reaching a three-year high after a double-upgrade from J.P. Morgan Securities, which raised its price target to $60 from $36, reflecting optimism about the company's earnings prospects for 2026 [1]. Stock Performance - LUV shares have risen 2.8% to $44.15, marking a sharp upswing since early December and breaking above the $43 resistance level [2]. - The stock is on track for its fifth consecutive gain, with a 7% increase since the start of 2026 and a 34% increase year over year [2]. Short Interest and Analyst Ratings - Short interest in LUV has decreased by 19.6% over the last two weeks, but still represents 5% of the stock's available float, indicating potential buying power [3]. - Among analysts, 18 out of 26 still hold a "hold" or worse rating on Southwest Airlines, with a 12-month consensus price target of $40.45, which is approximately 9% below current levels [3]. Options Market Sentiment - The options market shows a high put/call volume ratio, with a 10-day ratio of 2.50 and a 50-day ratio of 2.19, indicating a higher level of pessimism among options traders compared to the past year [4]. - The Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) for LUV is at 36%, which is in the low 12th percentile of its annual range, suggesting that options traders are anticipating low volatility [5].