Esperion Therapeutics Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NASDAQ:ESPR)

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESPR) was the recipient of some unusual options trading on Friday. Traders bought 8,380 call options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 239% compared to the average daily volume of 2,470 call options.

Esperion Therapeutics Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ ESPR traded down $0.01 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $3.18. 58,691,963 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 12,772,135. The firm has a market capitalization of $819.46 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -53.00 and a beta of 1.07. Esperion Therapeutics has a 52-week low of $1.10 and a 52-week high of $4.18. The company’s 50-day moving average is $3.12 and its 200-day moving average is $3.05.

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

Insider Activity at Esperion Therapeutics

In related news, CFO Benjamin Halladay sold 10,773 shares of Esperion Therapeutics stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.15, for a total transaction of $33,934.95. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 702,829 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,213,911.35. This trade represents a 1.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Benjamin Looker sold 11,824 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.15, for a total value of $37,245.60. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 667,524 shares in the company, valued at $2,102,700.60. This trade represents a 1.74% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Esperion Therapeutics

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. R Squared Ltd raised its position in Esperion Therapeutics by 23.5% in the fourth quarter. R Squared Ltd now owns 15,173 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 2,890 shares during the period. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Esperion Therapeutics by 10.2% during the fourth quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 38,955 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $144,000 after buying an additional 3,614 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Esperion Therapeutics by 49.0% in the fourth quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 11,617 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 3,822 shares in the last quarter. Eaton Financial Holdings Company LLC grew its stake in shares of Esperion Therapeutics by 9.4% in the fourth quarter. Eaton Financial Holdings Company LLC now owns 46,595 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $172,000 after buying an additional 4,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in shares of Esperion Therapeutics by 18.5% in the fourth quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 28,338 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $105,000 after buying an additional 4,422 shares in the last quarter. 47.39% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on ESPR shares. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Esperion Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Esperion Therapeutics from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, March 14th. Cantor Fitzgerald cut shares of Esperion Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Citizens Jmp downgraded shares of Esperion Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Piper Sandler lowered shares of Esperion Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $5.54.

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.