Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume Following Analyst Upgrade

Shares of Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Wednesday after HC Wainwright raised their price target on the stock from $135.00 to $165.00. HC Wainwright currently has a buy rating on the stock. Approximately 1,406,664 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 44% from the previous session’s volume of 976,724 shares.The stock last traded at $64.2950 and had previously closed at $56.00.

Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. BTIG Research lifted their price objective on Nektar Therapeutics from $118.00 to $151.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday. William Blair raised Nektar Therapeutics from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Wall Street Zen downgraded Nektar Therapeutics from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Sunday, November 16th. Piper Sandler reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $105.00 price objective on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Finally, Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $102.00 target price on the stock. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Nektar Therapeutics has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $119.86.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Howard W. Robin sold 2,207 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction 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 sale, 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Mark Andrew Wilson sold 630 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.28, for a total value of $34,196.40. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 21,585 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,171,633.80. This represents a 2.84% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 7,861 shares of company stock worth $354,730 in the last quarter. 5.25% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

More Nektar Therapeutics News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Phase 2b REZOLVE‑AD maintenance data showed durable and deep responses (EASI‑75, vIGA‑AD 0/1 and large increases in EASI‑100) for monthly and quarterly dosing and a favorable safety profile; Nektar said the results support advancing to a pivotal Phase 3 program. New REZOLVE-AD Maintenance Data
• Positive Sentiment: Wall Street reaction: multiple firms raised ratings/price targets and reiterated buys (Citi reiterated a Buy with a $102 PT; BTIG and HC Wainwright increased targets materially), citing the trial data and attractive risk/reward in atopic dermatitis. Buy Rating on NKTR (TipRanks)
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst and media coverage amplified bullish sentiment: Zacks and other outlets highlighted the upside after the data and revised some estimates upward, supporting the rally. Zacks: NKTR Soars 51.1%
• Neutral Sentiment: Market mechanics: unusually high trading volume and elevated call‑option activity accompanied the move — this increases intraday volatility and could reflect short‑term speculative positioning rather than only long‑term conviction.
• Negative Sentiment: Nektar announced a proposed $300M underwritten public offering (common stock and pre‑funded warrants). That raises dilution risk and can weigh on the stock despite strong clinical news. Proposed Public Offering (PR Newswire)

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nektar Therapeutics

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NKTR. Emerald Mutual Fund Advisers Trust purchased a new stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics during the third quarter valued at $13,269,000. Simplify Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Nektar Therapeutics by 67.6% during the 3rd quarter. Simplify Asset Management Inc. now owns 87,174 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $4,960,000 after acquiring an additional 35,176 shares during the period. Emerald Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics during the 3rd quarter valued at about $18,393,000. Moody Aldrich Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 62.3% during the 3rd quarter. Moody Aldrich Partners LLC now owns 73,716 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $4,194,000 after acquiring an additional 28,304 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Stonepine Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics in the second quarter worth approximately $1,297,000. 75.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Nektar Therapeutics Stock Up 18.3%

The stock has a market capitalization of $1.35 billion, a PE ratio of -8.32 and a beta of 1.34. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $43.53 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $46.10.

Nektar Therapeutics Company Profile

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.