Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR – Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at Wall Street Zen from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report released on Sunday.
A number of other research firms have also weighed in on NKTR. BTIG Research raised their target price on shares of Nektar Therapeutics from $118.00 to $151.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. TD Cowen assumed coverage on Nektar Therapeutics in a research report on Tuesday, March 17th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. William Blair raised Nektar Therapeutics from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. B. Riley Financial reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price objective (up from $105.00) on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research report on Monday, February 23rd. Finally, Wedbush initiated coverage on Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Tuesday, March 24th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $70.00 price objective on the stock. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $128.13.
View Our Latest Research Report on Nektar Therapeutics
Nektar Therapeutics Stock Down 3.3%
Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 12th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($1.78) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($2.69) by $0.91. The firm had revenue of $21.81 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.44 million. Nektar Therapeutics had a negative net margin of 297.07% and a negative return on equity of 386.16%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Nektar Therapeutics will post -0.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Insider Activity
In other news, insider Jonathan Zalevsky sold 3,867 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the insider 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 filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Howard W. Robin sold 423 shares of Nektar Therapeutics stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.00, for a total transaction of $30,879.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 75,489 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,510,697. The trade was a 0.56% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 4,470 shares of company stock worth $181,955 over the last quarter. 5.25% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Institutional Inflows and Outflows
Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 93.8% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 434 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG grew its holdings in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 90,743 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $3,837,000 after purchasing an additional 743 shares in the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd increased its stake in Nektar Therapeutics by 51.3% during the 4th quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 2,541 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $107,000 after buying an additional 862 shares during the period. FNY Investment Advisers LLC increased its stake in Nektar Therapeutics by 70.6% during the 3rd quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC now owns 2,602 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $148,000 after buying an additional 1,077 shares during the period. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd lifted its holdings in Nektar Therapeutics by 22.0% during the 4th quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 7,196 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $304,000 after buying an additional 1,299 shares in the last quarter. 75.88% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Key Nektar Therapeutics News
Here are the key news stories impacting Nektar Therapeutics this week:
- Neutral Sentiment: Wedbush initiated coverage of NKTR; new analyst coverage can affect sentiment but the report’s tone is unknown from the headline. Wedbush Begins Coverage on Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR)
- Negative Sentiment: Pomerantz LLP announced a class action filed against Nektar and certain officers alleging securities law violations for the Feb 26–Dec 15, 2025 period, seeking damages under Sections 10(b) and 20(a). Pomerantz Law Firm Announces the Filing of a Class Action Against Nektar Therapeutics, Inc. and Certain Officers – NKTR
- Negative Sentiment: Multiple nationwide plaintiff firms (Rosen, Faruqi & Faruqi, Bernstein Liebhard, Bragar Eagel & Squire, Bronstein Gewirtz & Grossman, Gross Law Firm, SueWallSt, others) have issued shareholder alerts encouraging NKTR investors to seek lead‑plaintiff status or join suits — driving attention to potential claims and the May 5, 2026 deadline. These coordinated solicitations magnify headline risk and potential legal costs. ROSEN, A GLOBAL INVESTOR RIGHTS LAW FIRM, Encourages Nektar Therapeutics Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action – NKTR
- Negative Sentiment: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman announced a class action has been filed alleging investor harm for purchases during the class period; active filings increase the chance of follow‑on discovery, expense and settlement risk. Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC Urges Nektar Therapeutics Investors to Act: Class Action Filed Alleging Investor Harm
- Negative Sentiment: Bragar Eagel & Squire and The Gross Law Firm issued alerts that a class action has been filed and invited potential lead plaintiffs to contact the firms — more plaintiff activity that keeps the legal story in the market. NEKTAR CLASS ACTION ALERT: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Announces that a Class Action Lawsuit Has Been Filed Against Nektar Therapeutics and Encourages Investors to Contact the Firm
- Negative Sentiment: Several PRNewswire/Newsfile releases (including Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, Frank R. Cruz, SueWallSt) repeat the opportunity for investors to lead or join suits; the volume of notices increases headline frequency and short‑term selling pressure. Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) Shareholders Who Lost Money Have Opportunity to Lead Securities Fraud Lawsuit
About Nektar Therapeutics
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.
Further Reading
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