Nektar Therapeutics Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NASDAQ:NKTR)

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) saw unusually large options trading on Tuesday. Stock investors purchased 5,080 call options on the company. This represents an increase of 145% compared to the average daily volume of 2,072 call options.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup began coverage on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. They set a “buy” rating and a $102.00 target price on the stock. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $105.00 price target on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research report on Monday, December 29th. BTIG Research lifted their price target on shares of Nektar Therapeutics from $118.00 to $151.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, HC Wainwright lifted their price target on Nektar Therapeutics from $135.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $119.86.

Nektar Therapeutics Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:NKTR opened at $66.26 on Thursday. Nektar Therapeutics has a 1 year low of $6.45 and a 1 year high of $67.94. The company has a market capitalization of $1.35 billion, a PE ratio of -8.32 and a beta of 1.34. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $43.53 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $46.10.

Key Stories Impacting Nektar Therapeutics

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)

Insider Transactions at Nektar Therapeutics

In other Nektar Therapeutics news, CEO Howard W. Robin sold 2,207 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.28, for a total transaction of $119,795.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 54,245 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,944,418.60. This trade represents a 3.91% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Jonathan Zalevsky sold 3,867 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 20th. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at $761,697.18. This trade represents a 15.33% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 7,861 shares of company stock worth $354,730 over the last ninety days. 5.25% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Nektar Therapeutics

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NKTR. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 336.9% during 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 acquiring an additional 2,807,595 shares during the period. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC purchased a new position in Nektar Therapeutics in the first quarter valued at approximately $68,000. Rhumbline Advisers grew its holdings in Nektar Therapeutics by 23.3% during the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 221,761 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $151,000 after purchasing an additional 41,948 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in Nektar Therapeutics in the second quarter worth $124,000. Finally, FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics in the second quarter valued at $39,000. Institutional investors own 75.88% of the company’s stock.

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.