United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR) CEO Martine Rothblatt Sells 7,540 Shares of Stock

United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR) CEO Martine Rothblatt sold 7,540 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $573.89, for a total transaction of $4,327,130.60. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 326,403 shares in the company, valued at approximately $187,319,417.67. This trade represents a 2.26% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link.

United Therapeutics Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of NASDAQ UTHR traded down $3.70 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $562.02. 454,928 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 557,118. United Therapeutics Corporation has a 52 week low of $444.04 and a 52 week high of $614.23. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $533.31 and its 200 day moving average price is $532.95. The stock has a market capitalization of $24.11 billion, a PE ratio of 21.21, a PEG ratio of 4.41 and a beta of 0.49.

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 4th. The biotechnology company reported $5.71 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.01 by ($0.30). United Therapeutics had a net margin of 38.61% and a return on equity of 19.18%. The firm had revenue of $832.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $781.14 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $7.16 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that United Therapeutics Corporation will post 26.09 earnings per share for the current year.

United Therapeutics announced that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, October 22nd that permits the company to repurchase $2 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the biotechnology company to purchase up to 8.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Key Stories Impacting United Therapeutics

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised their outlooks following the company’s results. BTIG maintained a Buy rating and set a $768 target, citing Tyvaso momentum; RBC raised its target to $725 and TD Cowen to $700, both with bullish ratings. BTIG analyst outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Q3 revenue increased 4.1% year over year to $832.5 million, exceeding analysts’ expectations of about $781 million. The revenue beat suggests continued demand, though it was not enough to offset the EPS shortfall. Q3 earnings call transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts’ questions on the Q3 call may offer investors additional insight into UTHR’s growth prospects and business priorities; the available article summary does not specify the topics discussed. Analyst questions from earnings call
• Negative Sentiment: Quarterly EPS of $5.71 missed the $6.01 consensus and fell from $7.16 a year earlier. The earnings miss and year-over-year decline temper the positive revenue growth. Q3 earnings
• Negative Sentiment: CEO Martine Rothblatt and EVP Paul Mahon disclosed share sales. Such transactions can add to near-term caution, although both executives retained sizable holdings. CEO sale filing EVP sale filing

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Therapeutics

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UTHR. Callan Family Office LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Therapeutics during the second quarter valued at approximately $1,217,000. Andra AP fonden grew its holdings in shares of United Therapeutics by 33.5% in the second quarter. Andra AP fonden now owns 34,904 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $18,912,000 after purchasing an additional 8,760 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new position in shares of United Therapeutics in the second quarter worth approximately $3,359,000. Partners Capital Investment Group LLP purchased a new position in shares of United Therapeutics in the second quarter worth $1,691,000. Finally, Palo Alto Investors LP purchased a new position in shares of United Therapeutics in the second quarter worth $33,911,514. 94.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of United Therapeutics from $675.00 to $700.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $850.00 price objective on shares of United Therapeutics in a report on Monday, October 26th. Raymond James Financial set a $720.00 price objective on shares of United Therapeutics in a report on Wednesday. UBS Group set a $725.00 price objective on shares of United Therapeutics in a research note on Monday, October 19th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $728.00 target price on shares of United Therapeutics in a report on Wednesday, October 14th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $676.40.

About United Therapeutics

United Therapeutics Corporation is a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for patients with life-threatening conditions, particularly pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The company’s portfolio includes Tyvaso and Tyvaso DPI, inhaled formulations of treprostinil; Remodulin, an injectable treprostinil product; and Orenitram, an oral treprostinil therapy. These treatments are designed to improve exercise ability and delay disease progression in people with PAH.

The company also markets Unituxin, an antibody therapy used as part of treatment for high-risk neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer.