HC Wainwright Issues Pessimistic Estimate for ESPR Earnings

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESPR) – Analysts at HC Wainwright lowered their Q1 2026 EPS estimates for shares of Esperion Therapeutics in a research note issued on Monday, March 16th. HC Wainwright analyst J. Pantginis now expects that the biopharmaceutical company will post earnings per share of ($0.09) for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of ($0.08). HC Wainwright has a “Buy” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Esperion Therapeutics’ current full-year earnings is ($0.29) per share. HC Wainwright also issued estimates for Esperion Therapeutics’ Q2 2026 earnings at ($0.06) EPS and Q3 2026 earnings at ($0.05) EPS.

A number of other brokerages also recently weighed in on ESPR. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Esperion Therapeutics in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $9.00 price target for the company. Wall Street Zen raised Esperion Therapeutics from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, March 14th. Citizens Jmp upped their target price on Esperion Therapeutics from $4.00 to $5.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, March 13th. Needham & Company LLC raised their target price on Esperion Therapeutics from $4.00 to $5.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 3rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Esperion Therapeutics in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Esperion Therapeutics currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $7.60.

Esperion Therapeutics Stock Down 7.4%

Shares of NASDAQ ESPR opened at $2.51 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $644.59 million, a PE ratio of -14.76, a P/E/G ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.11. Esperion Therapeutics has a twelve month low of $0.69 and a twelve month high of $4.18. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $3.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $3.15.

Esperion Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ESPR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 10th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.23 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $168.45 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $165.12 million.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Esperion Therapeutics

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. AIGH Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Esperion Therapeutics during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $7,950,000. Two Seas Capital LP grew its stake in Esperion Therapeutics by 43.6% in the second quarter. Two Seas Capital LP now owns 9,954,975 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $9,800,000 after acquiring an additional 3,024,104 shares during the period. Royce & Associates LP acquired a new stake in Esperion Therapeutics in the third quarter valued at approximately $6,078,000. Integral Health Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Esperion Therapeutics during the third quarter valued at approximately $3,975,000. Finally, Diametric Capital LP raised its position in shares of Esperion Therapeutics by 57.8% during the second quarter. Diametric Capital LP now owns 678,824 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $668,000 after purchasing an additional 248,648 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 47.39% of the company’s stock.

More Esperion Therapeutics News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrade drove upside interest — Esperion was upgraded (shares were reported up ~7.8% after the upgrade), giving near-term buying momentum. Esperion Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ESPR) Shares Up 7.8% After Analyst Upgrade
• Positive Sentiment: Clinical catalyst — Esperion will present two new analyses from the CLEAR Outcomes trial at the ACC 2026 meeting; positive or differentiated data from those analyses could boost sentiment and prescribing expectations. Esperion to Present Two New Analyses from CLEAR Outcomes Clinical Trial at the American College of Cardiology 2026 Annual Scientific Session
• Negative Sentiment: HC Wainwright cut near-term EPS forecasts — the firm lowered Q1, Q2 and Q3 2026 EPS estimates (e.g., Q1 to ($0.09), Q2 to ($0.06), Q3 to ($0.05)) even while keeping a Buy rating; downward revisions can weigh on the stock until revenue/earnings visibility improves. HC Wainwright lowed Q1–Q3 2026 EPS estimates for Esperion
• Negative Sentiment: Insider sale — CFO Benjamin Halladay sold 6,424 shares on March 17 (reducing his stake ~0.89%); insider selling can signal liquidity-taking and may be viewed negatively by some investors. SEC Form 4 – Benjamin Halladay sale
• Negative Sentiment: Another insider sale — insider Benjamin Looker sold 5,708 shares on March 17 (about a 0.83% reduction), adding further selling pressure and short-term sentiment drag. SEC Form 4 – Benjamin Looker sale

About Esperion Therapeutics

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of oral, low–density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)–lowering therapies. The company’s research and development efforts center on small-molecule compounds designed to address atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by targeting cholesterol biosynthesis pathways. Esperion seeks to provide novel treatment options for patients who require additional LDL-C reduction beyond what is achieved with statins or who are statin-intolerant.

The company’s lead products include NEXLETOL (bempedoic acid), an oral adenosine triphosphate–citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitor approved by the U.S.