Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) Given New $95.00 Price Target at Wedbush

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) had its price objective hoisted by Wedbush from $70.00 to $95.00 in a research report report published on Tuesday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the biopharmaceutical company’s stock.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. B. Riley Financial reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price target (up from $105.00) on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $105.00 price objective on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a report on Monday, January 26th. Wall Street Zen raised Nektar Therapeutics from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, April 11th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, TD Cowen started coverage on Nektar Therapeutics in a report on Tuesday, March 17th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $140.63.

Nektar Therapeutics Price Performance

NKTR opened at $98.16 on Tuesday. Nektar Therapeutics has a 1 year low of $7.99 and a 1 year high of $109.00. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $74.35 and a 200-day moving average price of $58.86. The firm has a market cap of $2.82 billion, a PE ratio of -9.63 and a beta of 1.16.

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 12th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($1.78) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($2.69) by $0.91. The business had revenue of $21.81 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.44 million. Nektar Therapeutics had a negative net margin of 297.07% and a negative return on equity of 380.32%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Nektar Therapeutics will post -10.02 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Howard W. Robin sold 423 shares of Nektar Therapeutics stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.00, for a total value of $30,879.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 75,489 shares in the company, valued at $5,510,697. The trade was a 0.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 3.71% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NKTR. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew 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 purchasing an additional 210 shares during the period. Compass Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Nektar Therapeutics during the 3rd quarter valued at $88,000. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 1,741.2% during the 3rd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,565 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $90,000 after buying an additional 1,480 shares during the period. Bayforest Capital Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics in the 3rd quarter worth $96,000. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics in the 4th quarter worth $85,000. Institutional investors own 75.88% of the company’s stock.

More Nektar Therapeutics News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Positive 52‑week REZOLVE‑AA Phase 2b extension results — topline data showed increasing, clinically meaningful hair‑growth responses (29% and 31% achieving SALT ≤20 in the extension arms) and a favorable safety profile, which the company says supports late‑stage advancement. This is the main catalyst behind recent upside. 52‑Week Topline Results PR
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst price‑target upgrades and buy calls — multiple firms raised targets (examples: HC Wainwright, BTIG, Citigroup; Wedbush raised its target while keeping a neutral rating). Those lifts amplified buying interest and helped drive volume and momentum. Analyst Coverage/Price Target Moves
• Neutral Sentiment: Trading halt for “news pending” occurred ahead of the PR — a routine mechanism that briefly paused trading while results were released; it amplified intraday volatility but is not itself a directional fundamental.
• Negative Sentiment: Proposed $250M underwritten public offering — Nektar filed to sell common stock and pre‑funded warrants, which raises dilution risk and can pressure the share price even as proceeds fund development. Offering Announcement
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple securities‑class action lawsuits and law‑firm solicitations — several firms have filed or are soliciting lead plaintiffs alleging securities violations tied to a Feb‑Dec 2025 class period; legal actions increase headline risk, potential costs, and create uncertainty for shareholders. Pomerantz Filing Bronstein Notice

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.