Aviva PLC Reduces Stock Holdings in United Therapeutics Co. (NASDAQ:UTHR)

Aviva PLC lessened its stake in shares of United Therapeutics Co. (NASDAQ:UTHR – Get Rating) by 21.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 11,703 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock after selling 3,191 shares during the quarter. Aviva PLC’s holdings in United Therapeutics were worth $17,071,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in United Therapeutics by 3.8% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,411,616 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $923,703,000 after buying an additional 163,542 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in United Therapeutics by 0.3% during the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,327,368 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $906,061,000 after buying an additional 13,196 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in United Therapeutics by 73.7% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,675,414 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $300,585,000 after buying an additional 710,668 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its stake in United Therapeutics by 7.2% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,626,491 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $291,809,000 after buying an additional 109,226 shares during the period. Finally, Farallon Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in United Therapeutics by 40.0% during the third quarter. Farallon Capital Management LLC now owns 549,673 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $115,091,000 after buying an additional 156,977 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.63% of the company’s stock.

United Therapeutics Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of NASDAQ:UTHR opened at $212.14 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $221.54 and its 200 day moving average price is $247.26. The stock has a market cap of $9.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.29 and a beta of 0.60. United Therapeutics Co. has a fifty-two week low of $201.65 and a fifty-two week high of $283.09. The company has a quick ratio of 9.52, a current ratio of 9.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16.

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR – Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The biotechnology company reported $4.86 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.26 by $0.60. United Therapeutics had a net margin of 36.76% and a return on equity of 15.49%. The company had revenue of $506.90 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $514.37 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $5.03 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that United Therapeutics Co. will post 18.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently issued reports on UTHR shares. UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of United Therapeutics from $330.00 to $310.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of United Therapeutics from $320.00 to $316.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 10th. HC Wainwright reissued a “buy” rating and set a $300.00 price target on shares of United Therapeutics in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reduced their price target on shares of United Therapeutics from $285.00 to $256.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of United Therapeutics from $265.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $294.67.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other United Therapeutics news, CEO Martine A. Rothblatt sold 8,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $244.50, for a total transaction of $1,956,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 130 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $31,785. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Martine A. Rothblatt sold 8,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $244.50, for a total transaction of $1,956,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 130 shares in the company, valued at $31,785. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Paul A. Mahon sold 6,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $232.79, for a total transaction of $1,396,740.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 36,599 shares in the company, valued at $8,519,881.21. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 198,379 shares of company stock valued at $44,912,997. 12.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About United Therapeutics

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United Therapeutics Corp. is a biotechnology company, which engages in the development and commercialization of products for patients with chronic and life-threatening conditions. Its products include Adcirca, Orenitram, Remodulin, TYVASO, and Unituxin. The company was founded by Martine A. Rothblatt on June 26, 1996 and is headquartered in Silver Spring, MD.