United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR) saw a large growth in short interest in July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,600,000 shares, agrowthof2,016.4% from the June 30th total of 75,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 526,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.0 days. Currently,3.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Currently,3.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 526,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.0 days.

United Therapeutics Trading Up 7.1%

Shares of NASDAQ UTHR opened at $294.28 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $13.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.49, a PEG ratio of 6.39 and a beta of 0.57. United Therapeutics has a 12 month low of $266.98 and a 12 month high of $417.82. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $298.13 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $313.25.

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The biotechnology company reported $6.41 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $6.80 by ($0.39). United Therapeutics had a return on equity of 18.73% and a net margin of 40.36%. The firm had revenue of $798.60 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $802.13 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.85 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that United Therapeutics will post 24.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Paul A. Mahon sold 11,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $304.11, for a total value of $3,345,210.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 36,781 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,185,469.91. The trade was a 23.02% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO James Edgemond sold 12,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $325.37, for a total transaction of $3,904,440.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 8,118 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,641,353.66. This trade represents a 59.65% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 70,681 shares of company stock worth $21,318,359 over the last 90 days. 10.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of United Therapeutics

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Chung Wu Investment Group LLC acquired a new position in United Therapeutics in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new position in United Therapeutics in the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Dunhill Financial LLC grew its stake in United Therapeutics by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 100 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in United Therapeutics by 141.7% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 145 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the period. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC bought a new position in shares of United Therapeutics during the 1st quarter worth $49,000. 94.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have issued reports on UTHR shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of United Therapeutics from $350.00 to $330.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of United Therapeutics from $410.00 to $385.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 30th. Wall Street Zen downgraded United Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Bank of America cut their price target on United Therapeutics from $321.00 to $315.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, June 11th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on United Therapeutics in a report on Monday, June 2nd. They set an “overweight” rating and a $405.00 target price for the company. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, United Therapeutics currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $379.69.

United Therapeutics Company Profile

United Therapeutics Corporation, a biotechnology company, engages in the development and commercialization of products to address the unmet medical needs of patients with chronic and life-threatening diseases in the United States and internationally. The company offers Tyvaso DPI, an inhaled dry powder via pre-filled and single-use cartridges; Tyvaso, an inhaled solution via ultrasonic nebulizer; Remodulin (treprostinil) injection to treat patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to diminish symptoms associated with exercise; Orenitram, a tablet dosage form of treprostinil, to delay disease progression and improve exercise capacity in PAH patients; and Adcirca, an oral PDE-5 inhibitor to enhance the exercise ability in PAH patients.