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

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) gapped up before the market opened 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.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Citigroup initiated coverage on Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. They set a “buy” rating and a $102.00 price target on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered Nektar Therapeutics from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Sunday, November 16th. Finally, BTIG Research boosted their price objective on Nektar Therapeutics from $118.00 to $151.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $119.86.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Howard W. Robin sold 2,207 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.28, for a total value of $119,795.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 54,245 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,944,418.60. This represents a 3.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Jonathan Zalevsky sold 3,867 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.67, for a total value of $137,935.89. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 21,354 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $761,697.18. The trade was a 15.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 7,861 shares of company stock valued at $354,730. Corporate insiders own 3.71% of the company’s stock.

Nektar Therapeutics News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: REZOLVE‑AD maintenance data show durable and new responses (high maintenance rates for EASI‑75 and vIGA‑AD 0/1, increases in EASI‑100 at week 52) and a favorable safety profile; management says results validate the T‑reg mechanism and support advancement to pivotal Phase 3. PR Newswire: Rezolve‑AD Maintenance Data
• Positive Sentiment: Management discussed topline maintenance results on a conference call and in a Seeking Alpha transcript, providing additional color that appears to have reassured investors about durability and both monthly and quarterly dosing options. Seeking Alpha: REZOLVE‑AD Transcript
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts moved bullish: BTIG and HC Wainwright raised price targets substantially (to $151 and $165, respectively) and William Blair upgraded NKTR to outperform — these notes amplify upside conviction and likely prompted buying. Benzinga: Analyst Coverage TickerReport: William Blair Upgrade
• Positive Sentiment: Wide media and market coverage (Tokenist, MarketWatch, MSN, Benzinga) has amplified visibility and momentum, contributing to heavy volume and large call option buying earlier in the session. Tokenist: Why NKTR Is Up
• Neutral Sentiment: Unusually large options activity (several thousand calls bought) and very high share volume indicate speculative positioning and short‑term momentum; this can amplify moves but also increase volatility. (No link)
• Neutral Sentiment: NKTR appeared on “top gainer” lists and trending stock stories, reflecting momentum rather than new fundamental change. InvestorIdeas: Top Gainer
• Negative Sentiment: Nektar announced a proposed $300M underwritten public offering of common stock (and pre‑funded warrants for some investors). That raises dilution risk and could cap gains unless used to fund Phase 3 programs or other value‑creating activities. PR Newswire: Proposed Public Offering

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nektar Therapeutics

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its holdings in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 93.8% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 434 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new stake in Nektar Therapeutics in the second quarter worth about $39,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Nektar Therapeutics in the second quarter valued at about $65,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC purchased a new position in Nektar Therapeutics in the first quarter valued at about $68,000. Finally, Compass Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $88,000. 75.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Nektar Therapeutics Stock Performance

The company’s 50 day moving average price is $43.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $45.96. The company has a market cap of $1.14 billion, a PE ratio of -7.03 and a beta of 1.34.

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.