Akero Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKRO) Given Average Recommendation of “Hold” by Analysts

Akero Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKRO) has received an average recommendation of “Hold” from the fourteen brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have given a hold recommendation and six have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $73.3750.

AKRO has been the topic of a number of research reports. HC Wainwright reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $54.00 target price (down previously from $72.00) on shares of Akero Therapeutics in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Lifesci Capital lowered shares of Akero Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. TD Cowen cut shares of Akero Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Zacks Research downgraded Akero Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Akero Therapeutics in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th.

Akero Therapeutics Trading Up 0.2%

AKRO stock opened at $54.65 on Monday. Akero Therapeutics has a 1-year low of $21.34 and a 1-year high of $58.40. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $54.41 and a 200-day moving average price of $51.26. The firm has a market cap of $4.50 billion, a PE ratio of -28.17 and a beta of -0.40.

Akero Therapeutics (NASDAQ:AKRO) last issued its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The company reported ($0.99) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.94) by ($0.05). On average, analysts forecast that Akero Therapeutics will post -3.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Akero Therapeutics

In other Akero Therapeutics news, insider Timothy Rolph sold 12,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.08, for a total transaction of $576,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 166,571 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,675,591.68. This represents a 6.98% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Andrew Cheng sold 30,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, October 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.98, for a total transaction of $1,619,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 526,114 shares in the company, valued at $28,399,633.72. This trade represents a 5.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 7.07% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Akero Therapeutics

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Intech Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Akero Therapeutics by 54.4% in the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 58,522 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,369,000 after purchasing an additional 20,620 shares during the last quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Akero Therapeutics by 302.9% during the 1st quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 82,471 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,338,000 after purchasing an additional 62,000 shares during the last quarter. Vivo Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Akero Therapeutics by 116.1% during the 2nd quarter. Vivo Capital LLC now owns 434,689 shares of the company’s stock valued at $23,195,000 after purchasing an additional 233,521 shares during the last quarter. Exome Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Akero Therapeutics by 11.3% during the 1st quarter. Exome Asset Management LLC now owns 76,379 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,092,000 after purchasing an additional 7,771 shares during the period. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its holdings in Akero Therapeutics by 32.8% during the second quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 17,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $907,000 after buying an additional 4,200 shares during the last quarter.

About Akero Therapeutics

Akero Therapeutics, Inc is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies for severe metabolic diseases, with an initial emphasis on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The company’s research platform leverages engineered versions of endocrine hormones to target key pathways involved in lipid metabolism, glucose regulation and tissue fibrosis. By harnessing the biology of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), Akero aims to address underlying drivers of metabolic dysfunction rather than merely treating symptoms.

The company’s lead product candidate, efruxifermin, is an Fc-FGF21 fusion protein designed to improve liver health and metabolic parameters in patients with NASH.