Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) Shares Gap Up Following Analyst Upgrade

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) shares gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday after HC Wainwright raised their price target on the stock from $135.00 to $165.00. The stock had previously closed at $37.07, but opened at $47.15. HC Wainwright currently has a buy rating on the stock. Nektar Therapeutics shares last traded at $52.5760, with a volume of 3,726,112 shares changing hands.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on NKTR. Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating and set a $105.00 price target on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a report on Monday, January 26th. Citigroup started coverage on Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. They set a “buy” rating and a $102.00 target price for the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Monday, December 29th. William Blair upgraded Nektar Therapeutics from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Nektar Therapeutics currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $119.86.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Jonathan Zalevsky sold 3,867 shares of Nektar Therapeutics stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.67, for a total transaction of $137,935.89. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 21,354 shares in the company, valued at $761,697.18. This trade represents a 15.33% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Howard W. Robin sold 2,207 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.28, for a total value of $119,795.96. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 54,245 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,944,418.60. The trade was a 3.91% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 7,861 shares of company stock valued at $354,730. 5.25% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Key Headlines Impacting Nektar Therapeutics

Here are the key news stories impacting Nektar Therapeutics this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Phase 2b REZOLVE‑AD maintenance data showed durable and deep responses (EASI‑75, vIGA‑AD 0/1 and large increases in EASI‑100) for monthly and quarterly dosing and a favorable safety profile; Nektar said the results support advancing to a pivotal Phase 3 program. New REZOLVE-AD Maintenance Data
• Positive Sentiment: Wall Street reaction: multiple firms raised ratings/price targets and reiterated buys (Citi reiterated a Buy with a $102 PT; BTIG and HC Wainwright increased targets materially), citing the trial data and attractive risk/reward in atopic dermatitis. Buy Rating on NKTR (TipRanks)
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst and media coverage amplified bullish sentiment: Zacks and other outlets highlighted the upside after the data and revised some estimates upward, supporting the rally. Zacks: NKTR Soars 51.1%
• Neutral Sentiment: Market mechanics: unusually high trading volume and elevated call‑option activity accompanied the move — this increases intraday volatility and could reflect short‑term speculative positioning rather than only long‑term conviction.
• Negative Sentiment: Nektar announced a proposed $300M underwritten public offering (common stock and pre‑funded warrants). That raises dilution risk and can weigh on the stock despite strong clinical news. Proposed Public Offering (PR Newswire)

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nektar Therapeutics

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NKTR. Emerald Mutual Fund Advisers Trust purchased a new position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics during the third quarter worth approximately $13,269,000. Simplify Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Nektar Therapeutics by 67.6% in the 3rd quarter. Simplify Asset Management Inc. now owns 87,174 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $4,960,000 after purchasing an additional 35,176 shares during the last quarter. Emerald Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Nektar Therapeutics during the 3rd quarter worth $18,393,000. Moody Aldrich Partners LLC grew its position in Nektar Therapeutics by 62.3% during the 3rd quarter. Moody Aldrich Partners LLC now owns 73,716 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $4,194,000 after purchasing an additional 28,304 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Stonepine Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Nektar Therapeutics in the second quarter valued at $1,297,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.88% of the company’s stock.

Nektar Therapeutics Stock Up 18.3%

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.35 billion, a PE ratio of -8.32 and a beta of 1.34. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $43.53 and its 200 day moving average price is $46.10.

Nektar Therapeutics Company Profile

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing novel drug candidates through its proprietary chemistry and immunology platforms. The company focuses on polymer conjugate technology, which enables the creation of longer-acting versions of existing drugs, and on T-cell modulatory therapies aimed at harnessing the body’s immune system to treat cancer and other serious diseases.

Nektar’s product portfolio and pipeline include a range of clinical-stage and partnered programs.