Vera Therapeutics Target of Unusually Large Options Trading (NASDAQ:VERA)

Vera Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VERA) was the recipient of unusually large options trading on Wednesday. Traders acquired 7,008 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of 1,626% compared to the typical daily volume of 406 call options.

Vera Therapeutics Stock Down 1.0%

Vera Therapeutics stock opened at $50.64 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 12.21, a quick ratio of 12.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Vera Therapeutics has a 1-year low of $18.53 and a 1-year high of $56.05. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $37.98 and a 200 day simple moving average of $29.03. The company has a market cap of $3.24 billion, a P/E ratio of -12.69 and a beta of 1.16.

Vera Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VERA) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported ($1.26) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($1.20) by ($0.06). During the same period in the previous year, the company earned ($0.85) EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Vera Therapeutics will post -2.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating on shares of Vera Therapeutics in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Vera Therapeutics from $99.00 to $96.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Pivotal Research set a $73.00 price objective on shares of Vera Therapeutics in a report on Friday, December 5th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Vera Therapeutics in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, HC Wainwright reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $90.00 target price on shares of Vera Therapeutics in a report on Friday, November 28th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $74.83.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Joseph R. Young sold 15,000 shares of Vera Therapeutics stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.06, for a total transaction of $435,900.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 47,839 shares in the company, valued at $1,390,201.34. The trade was a 23.87% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Patrick G. Enright acquired 5,882 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 11th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $42.50 per share, with a total value of $249,985.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 5,882 shares in the company, valued at $249,985. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 16.30% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in shares of Vera Therapeutics during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $51,000. Quarry LP boosted its holdings in shares of Vera Therapeutics by 25.0% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 2,500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $60,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. AlphaQuest LLC grew its stake in shares of Vera Therapeutics by 404.7% in the first quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 4,007 shares of the company’s stock valued at $96,000 after buying an additional 3,213 shares in the last quarter. Virtus Investment Advisers LLC grew its stake in shares of Vera Therapeutics by 14.8% in the second quarter. Virtus Investment Advisers LLC now owns 4,176 shares of the company’s stock valued at $98,000 after buying an additional 539 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in Vera Therapeutics by 192.9% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 4,186 shares of the company’s stock worth $99,000 after buying an additional 2,757 shares during the last quarter. 99.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Vera Therapeutics

Vera Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel immunotherapies that harness the body’s own regulatory T cells to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. By leveraging a proprietary protein engineering platform, the company designs Treg-selective cytokine variants intended to restore immune balance and provide targeted, disease-modifying effects. Its pipeline comprises multiple preclinical and clinical candidates aimed at indications characterized by chronic inflammation and autoimmunity.

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Vera Therapeutics collaborates with leading academic and research institutions to advance its development programs.