Q1 EPS Estimate for Nektar Therapeutics Lowered by Analyst

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) – Zacks Research decreased their Q1 2026 EPS estimates for shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, April 1st. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the biopharmaceutical company will earn ($2.88) per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of ($2.51). The consensus estimate for Nektar Therapeutics’ current full-year earnings is ($0.72) per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Nektar Therapeutics’ Q2 2026 earnings at ($2.87) EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at ($2.99) EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at ($3.51) EPS, FY2026 earnings at ($12.25) EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at ($3.16) EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at ($3.06) EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at ($2.88) EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at ($2.96) EPS and FY2027 earnings at ($12.06) EPS.

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, March 12th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($1.78) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($2.69) by $0.91. Nektar Therapeutics had a negative net margin of 297.07% and a negative return on equity of 386.16%. The company had revenue of $21.81 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.44 million.

A number of other research analysts also recently commented on the company. Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $105.00 target price on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Monday, January 26th. BTIG Research lifted 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. Oppenheimer reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $140.00 price target on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Friday, March 13th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Nektar Therapeutics from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Sunday, March 29th. Finally, William Blair raised shares of Nektar Therapeutics from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $128.13.

Nektar Therapeutics Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:NKTR opened at $76.99 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $2.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.55 and a beta of 1.16. Nektar Therapeutics has a 1 year low of $6.45 and a 1 year high of $78.81. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $63.75 and a 200 day simple moving average of $56.72.

Insider Buying and Selling at Nektar Therapeutics

In other Nektar Therapeutics news, insider Jonathan Zalevsky sold 3,867 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.67, for a total transaction of $137,935.89. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 21,354 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $761,697.18. The trade was a 15.33% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Howard W. Robin sold 423 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.00, for a total transaction of $30,879.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 75,489 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,510,697. This trade represents a 0.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 4,470 shares of company stock worth $181,955 in the last quarter. Insiders own 5.25% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Nektar Therapeutics

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its position in 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 period. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics during the second quarter worth approximately $65,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC bought a new stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics in the first quarter valued at approximately $68,000. Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $85,000. Finally, Compass Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics in the third quarter worth $88,000. Institutional investors own 75.88% of the company’s stock.

Nektar Therapeutics News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Shares hit a new one‑year high, reflecting renewed investor optimism possibly tied to recent earnings beats and improving forward estimates. Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) Reaches New 1-Year High – Here’s Why
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised several 2027 quarterly estimates and lifted its FY2027 loss forecast to a smaller negative (improved from a larger loss), which can support a more constructive outlook for the stock as consensus losses narrow (less negative). (Zacks note summarized from MarketBeat coverage)
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks issued a string of mixed estimate changes: some quarters (Q2–Q4 2026 and parts of 2027) were revised higher (smaller losses) while near‑term quarters (Q1–Q2 2026 and Q3 2026) were trimmed (larger losses). The net effect is mixed — provides guidance movement but not a clear directional catalyst.
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple law firms have filed or announced class actions alleging securities fraud covering purchases between Feb. 26, 2025 and Dec. 15/25, 2025; this increases litigation risk, potential distraction and contingent liability for the company. Pomerantz filed suit. Pomerantz Law Firm Announces the Filing of a Class Action Against Nektar Therapeutics, Inc. and Certain Officers – NKTR
• Negative Sentiment: Additional shareholder litigation notices and lead‑plaintiff solicitations were issued by Bronstein, Schall and Faruqi & Faruqi — these amplify settlement/defense expectations and could pressure the stock if litigation costs or disclosures widen. Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC Urges Nektar Therapeutics Investors to Act: Class Action Filed Alleging Investor Harm NKTR Investors Have Opportunity to Lead Nektar Therapeutics Securities Fraud Lawsuit with the Schall Law Firm NKTR SHAREHOLDER REMINDER: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Reminds Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) Investors of Securities Class Action Deadline on May 5, 2026

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.