Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) Given Average Rating of “Hold” by Brokerages

Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) has received an average rating of “Hold” from the twenty-four analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, ten have issued a hold recommendation, eleven have issued a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $46.1579.

EXEL has been the subject of several research reports. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Exelixis in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued a “peer perform” rating for the company. TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating on shares of Exelixis in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Bank of America downgraded shares of Exelixis from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $41.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Exelixis from $48.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Exelixis from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th.

Key Exelixis News

Here are the key news stories impacting Exelixis this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research upgraded Exelixis from a “hold” to a “strong‑buy,” signaling increased analyst conviction that the company’s growth story is improving. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks issued broad upward revisions to Exelixis’ earnings outlook — raising FY2026 to $2.76 from $2.34 and FY2027 to $3.65 (previously $3.30), and lifting several quarterly estimates (e.g., Q1‑Q4 2026 and Q1‑Q4 2027). These higher forward EPS forecasts support a re‑rating and provide a clearer path to earnings growth. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks published a bullish write‑up, “3 Reasons Why Growth Investors Shouldn’t Overlook Exelixis,” highlighting growth attributes that could help EXEL outperform — a narrative that can attract growth‑oriented buyers. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: HC Wainwright reaffirmed its “Buy” rating on EXEL, providing additional sell‑side support that may encourage institutional interest. Read More.
• Neutral Sentiment: Note that Zacks’ upgraded forecasts exceed the current broader consensus (the entries cite a consensus near $2.04 for the current year). The market may await confirmation from Exelixis’ upcoming results/sales trends before other analysts materially follow, which could create short‑term volatility. Read More.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Exelixis news, Director Stelios Papadopoulos sold 100,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.55, for a total transaction of $4,355,000.00. Following the sale, the director owned 1,189,228 shares in the company, valued at $51,790,879.40. This represents a 7.76% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Dana Aftab sold 48,383 shares of Exelixis stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.50, for a total value of $2,056,277.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 664,778 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $28,253,065. The trade was a 6.78% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 245,235 shares of company stock valued at $10,490,600. Company insiders own 2.82% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Exelixis

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of EXEL. Farallon Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Exelixis by 21.6% during the third quarter. Farallon Capital Management LLC now owns 19,501,500 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $805,412,000 after purchasing an additional 3,466,000 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Exelixis by 20.7% during the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 9,181,359 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $379,190,000 after acquiring an additional 1,575,280 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Exelixis by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 7,445,469 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $328,196,000 after acquiring an additional 28,289 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Exelixis by 7.1% in the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 5,960,525 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $246,170,000 after acquiring an additional 394,897 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its stake in Exelixis by 42.9% during the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 5,262,643 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $231,951,000 after purchasing an additional 1,580,567 shares during the last quarter. 85.27% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Exelixis Stock Up 3.6%

EXEL opened at $43.90 on Monday. Exelixis has a 52 week low of $32.38 and a 52 week high of $49.62. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $43.69 and a 200-day simple moving average of $40.95. The firm has a market cap of $11.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.52, a P/E/G ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 0.42.

Exelixis Company Profile

Exelixis, Inc is a biotechnology company specializing in the discovery, development and commercialization of small molecule therapies primarily for the treatment of cancer. Building on a platform that leverages model organism genetics and high-throughput screening, the company focuses its research on kinase inhibitors that modulate critical signaling pathways involved in tumor growth and metastasis. Exelixis’s translational research approach aims to advance novel compounds from early-stage discovery through clinical development and regulatory approval.

The company’s most recognized products include CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib), approved for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, and COMETRIQ® (cabozantinib) for metastatic medullary thyroid cancer.