Zacks Research Brokers Raise Earnings Estimates for NKTR

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) – Zacks Research raised their Q3 2026 earnings per share estimates for Nektar Therapeutics in a report issued on Monday, February 9th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the biopharmaceutical company will earn ($2.70) per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of ($2.92). The consensus estimate for Nektar Therapeutics’ current full-year earnings is ($0.72) per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Nektar Therapeutics’ Q4 2026 earnings at ($4.13) EPS, FY2026 earnings at ($11.98) EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at ($3.18) EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at ($3.23) EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at ($3.46) EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at ($5.48) EPS and FY2027 earnings at ($15.35) EPS.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on NKTR. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Citigroup started coverage on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. They set a “buy” rating and a $102.00 price objective for the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Piper Sandler reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $105.00 price target on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a report on Monday, January 26th. Finally, BTIG Research upped their price target on shares of Nektar Therapeutics from $118.00 to $151.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Nektar Therapeutics presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $119.86.

Nektar Therapeutics Stock Performance

NASDAQ:NKTR opened at $66.26 on Wednesday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $43.53 and its 200 day moving average is $46.10. The firm has a market cap of $1.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.32 and a beta of 1.34. Nektar Therapeutics has a 52-week low of $6.45 and a 52-week high of $67.94.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Jonathan Zalevsky sold 3,867 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.67, for a total value of $137,935.89. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 21,354 shares in the company, valued at $761,697.18. The trade was a 15.33% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Mark Andrew Wilson sold 630 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.28, for a total transaction of $34,196.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 21,585 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,171,633.80. The trade was a 2.84% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 7,861 shares of company stock worth $354,730. Insiders own 5.25% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nektar Therapeutics

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NKTR. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 336.9% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 3,640,851 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $2,463,000 after purchasing an additional 2,807,595 shares during the last quarter. Farallon Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Nektar Therapeutics in the third quarter worth $45,008,000. Two Seas Capital LP purchased a new position in Nektar Therapeutics during the fourth quarter worth $31,506,000. Two Sigma Investments LP boosted its stake in Nektar Therapeutics by 446.9% during the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 434,237 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $24,708,000 after buying an additional 354,842 shares during the period. Finally, Emerald Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics in the third quarter valued at $18,393,000. 75.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

More Nektar Therapeutics News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Phase 2b REZOLVE‑AD maintenance data showed durable and deep responses (EASI‑75, vIGA‑AD 0/1 and large increases in EASI‑100) for monthly and quarterly dosing and a favorable safety profile; Nektar said the results support advancing to a pivotal Phase 3 program. New REZOLVE-AD Maintenance Data
• Positive Sentiment: Wall Street reaction: multiple firms raised ratings/price targets and reiterated buys (Citi reiterated a Buy with a $102 PT; BTIG and HC Wainwright increased targets materially), citing the trial data and attractive risk/reward in atopic dermatitis. Buy Rating on NKTR (TipRanks)
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst and media coverage amplified bullish sentiment: Zacks and other outlets highlighted the upside after the data and revised some estimates upward, supporting the rally. Zacks: NKTR Soars 51.1%
• Neutral Sentiment: Market mechanics: unusually high trading volume and elevated call‑option activity accompanied the move — this increases intraday volatility and could reflect short‑term speculative positioning rather than only long‑term conviction.
• Negative Sentiment: Nektar announced a proposed $300M underwritten public offering (common stock and pre‑funded warrants). That raises dilution risk and can weigh on the stock despite strong clinical news. Proposed Public Offering (PR Newswire)

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.