Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESPR) Receives $5.54 Consensus Price Target from Brokerages

Shares of Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESPR) have received an average rating of “Hold” from the eight research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have given a hold recommendation and one has assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $5.54.

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. HC Wainwright cut Esperion Therapeutics from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $3.16 target price for the company. in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Needham & Company LLC downgraded Esperion Therapeutics from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Jefferies Financial Group cut Esperion Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Esperion Therapeutics in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. Finally, Citizens Jmp downgraded Esperion Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st.

Esperion Therapeutics Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ ESPR opened at $3.18 on Thursday. Esperion Therapeutics has a 1 year low of $1.10 and a 1 year high of $4.18. The company has a market capitalization of $819.45 million, a PE ratio of -53.00 and a beta of 1.07. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $3.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $3.02.

Esperion Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ESPR) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 8th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.10) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.02) by ($0.08). Esperion Therapeutics had a negative return on equity of 0.14% and a net margin of 0.12%.The business had revenue of $80.10 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $84.52 million.

Insider Transactions at Esperion Therapeutics

In related news, insider Benjamin Looker sold 11,824 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.15, for a total transaction of $37,245.60. Following the transaction, the insider owned 667,524 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,102,700.60. The trade was a 1.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Benjamin Halladay sold 10,773 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.15, for a total transaction of $33,934.95. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 702,829 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,213,911.35. The trade was a 1.51% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Esperion Therapeutics

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Jones Financial Companies Lllp acquired a new position in Esperion Therapeutics during the first quarter valued at approximately $278,000. Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Esperion Therapeutics during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Esperion Therapeutics by 3.1% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,583,988 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $4,513,000 after acquiring an additional 137,691 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers grew its stake in shares of Esperion Therapeutics by 16.8% in the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 275,688 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $271,000 after acquiring an additional 39,658 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its position in shares of Esperion Therapeutics by 93.3% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 493,929 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $486,000 after buying an additional 238,449 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 47.39% of the company’s stock.

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.