Zacks Research Brokers Reduce Earnings Estimates for NKTR

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research dropped their Q2 2026 EPS estimates for Nektar Therapeutics in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, February 18th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the biopharmaceutical company will post earnings of ($2.72) per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of ($2.63). The consensus estimate for Nektar Therapeutics’ current full-year earnings is ($0.72) per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Nektar Therapeutics’ Q3 2026 earnings at ($2.56) EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at ($4.11) EPS, FY2026 earnings at ($11.90) EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at ($3.15) EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at ($3.32) EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at ($3.17) EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at ($4.93) EPS and FY2027 earnings at ($14.57) EPS.

Several other analysts also recently issued reports on the company. BTIG Research increased their price target on Nektar Therapeutics from $118.00 to $151.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Piper Sandler reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $105.00 target price on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on Nektar Therapeutics in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. They set a “buy” rating and a $102.00 price target on the stock. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $119.86.

Nektar Therapeutics Trading Down 0.2%

Shares of NKTR stock opened at $73.73 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $1.50 billion, a PE ratio of -9.25 and a beta of 1.34. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $45.81 and its 200-day simple moving average is $48.36. Nektar Therapeutics has a 52 week low of $6.45 and a 52 week high of $74.89.

Institutional Trading of Nektar Therapeutics

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its holdings in Nektar Therapeutics by 93.8% during 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 acquired a new stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in Nektar Therapeutics during the second quarter worth $65,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC bought a new position in Nektar Therapeutics during the first quarter worth $68,000. Finally, Quarry LP acquired a new position in Nektar Therapeutics in the fourth quarter worth $85,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.88% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Nektar Therapeutics

In other Nektar Therapeutics news, insider Jonathan Zalevsky sold 3,867 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.67, for a total transaction of $137,935.89. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 21,354 shares in the company, valued at $761,697.18. This trade represents a 15.33% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Howard W. Robin sold 2,207 shares of Nektar Therapeutics 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 sale, the chief executive officer owned 54,245 shares in the company, valued at $2,944,418.60. This represents a 3.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 8,464 shares of company stock valued at $398,749. Insiders own 5.25% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Nektar Therapeutics

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised multiple multi‑quarter and full‑year EPS projections (FY2026 and FY2027 were revised to smaller losses), indicating improved analyst expectations for Nektar’s future results — a generally constructive signal for the stock. MarketBeat NKTR
• Positive Sentiment: Nektar announced research collaboration with UCSF to test a TNFR2‑agonist/antibody approach in multiple sclerosis — a meaningful pipeline development that could add long‑term value if clinical data are positive. MSNewsToday: UCSF, Nektar team BioWorld: TNFR2 agonism in MS
• Neutral Sentiment: An AAII piece compared Nektar to another biotech (Harmony Biosciences) as an investment choice — useful context for longer‑term investors but unlikely to move the stock materially on its own. AAII comparison article
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut near‑term quarter estimates for Q2 2026 (and separately trimmed Q2 2027), signaling some expected near‑term pressure to results that can weigh on sentiment. MarketBeat NKTR

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.