This article talks about how well two types of transportation companies, airlines and shipping, are doing in the stock market this year. Airlines are represented by Alaska Air Group, which is doing better than most other airline companies. Shipping is represented by International Seaways, which is also doing very good compared to other shipping companies. The article says that both of these companies have seen their profits expected to grow and they have a "buy" rating from experts who follow the stock market. Read from source...

- The article title implies a comparison between Alaska Air Group and the transportation stocks sector, but it does not provide any evidence or data to support this claim. It is unclear what is meant by "lagging" and how it is measured.
- The article body focuses on International Seaways as an example of a transportation stock that has outperformed the sector, but it fails to explain why this stock is relevant to the question at hand. It also does not provide any context or comparison with Alaska Air Group's performance.
- The article uses Zacks Rank and EPS estimates as sources of information, but it does not explain what these metrics are or how they are calculated. It also does not mention any other factors that could influence the stock prices, such as demand, supply, competition, regulation, etc.

- Alaska Air Group (ALK) is a good long-term buy for value investors who are looking for exposure to the airline industry with a solid balance sheet, strong cash flow, and attractive valuation. However, ALK faces headwinds from rising fuel costs, labor disputes, and increased competition in the domestic market. The company has also reduced its guidance for the current quarter due to these challenges. Therefore, ALK is not a risk-free investment and may experience volatility in the short term.
- International Seaways (INSW) is a good short-term trade for momentum investors who are looking for exposure to the shipping industry with a positive earnings surprise, strong revenue growth, and improving analyst sentiment. However, INSW faces headwinds from low freight rates, high leverage, and uncertain demand for seaborne transportation. The company has also reported lower cash flow and higher capital expenditures in the last quarter. Therefore, INSW is not a risk-free investment and may experience volatility in the short term.

Final recommendation:
Based on the above analysis, I would recommend investors to consider both ALK and INSW as part of their diversified portfolio, depending on their risk appetite and investment horizon. If you are a value investor who is looking for exposure to the airline industry with a solid balance sheet, strong cash flow, and attractive valuation, then ALK may be a good long-
term buy for you. However, if you are a momentum investor who is looking for exposure to the shipping industry with a positive earnings surprise, strong revenue growth, and improving analyst sentiment, then INSW may be a good short-term trade for you.