Renaissance Technologies LLC Sells 574,500 Shares of Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. $ESPR

Renaissance Technologies LLC cut its stake in shares of Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESPR) by 26.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,620,100 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock after selling 574,500 shares during the quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned approximately 0.63% of Esperion Therapeutics worth $4,439,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sivia Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Esperion Therapeutics during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Kestra Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Esperion Therapeutics in the fourth quarter worth approximately $35,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new stake in Esperion Therapeutics in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Larson Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in Esperion Therapeutics in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new stake in Esperion Therapeutics during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Institutional investors own 47.39% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on the stock. HC Wainwright lowered shares of Esperion Therapeutics from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $3.16 price target for the company. in a report on Friday, May 1st. Cantor Fitzgerald lowered shares of Esperion Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Piper Sandler cut shares of Esperion Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Needham & Company LLC downgraded shares of Esperion Therapeutics from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Finally, Citizens Jmp lowered shares of Esperion Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Esperion Therapeutics currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $5.54.

Esperion Therapeutics Price Performance

NASDAQ ESPR opened at $3.18 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $3.16 and a 200 day simple moving average of $2.97. Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. has a one year low of $1.10 and a one year high of $4.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $819.45 million, a P/E ratio of -53.00 and a beta of 1.07.

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

Insider Buying and Selling at Esperion Therapeutics

In related news, CFO Benjamin Halladay sold 10,773 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.15, for a total transaction of $33,934.95. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 702,829 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,213,911.35. This represents a 1.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Benjamin Looker sold 11,824 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.15, for a total transaction of $37,245.60. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 667,524 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,102,700.60. The trade was a 1.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

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.