Vericel (NASDAQ:VCEL) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.08 EPS

Vericel (NASDAQ:VCEL) posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The biotechnology company reported $0.04 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.04) by $0.08, FiscalAI reports. Vericel had a net margin of 7.35% and a return on equity of 6.41%. The company had revenue of $77.46 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $72.70 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.01) EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 22.5% on a year-over-year basis.

Here are the key takeaways from Vericel’s conference call:

• Record Q2 revenue of $77.5 million increased 22% year over year, driven by strength in both MACI and Burn Care. GAAP net income reached $2.2 million and free cash flow was $14.3 million.
• Vericel raised full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $330 million–$340 million, including higher MACI guidance of $284 million–$290 million and Burn Care guidance of $46 million–$50 million. Management cited strong biopsy and implant growth, commercial execution, and continued MACI Arthro adoption.
• Burn Care revenue rose 22% to approximately $12 million, with Epicel contributing $10.4 million and NexoBrid reaching record revenue of more than $1.5 million. NexoBrid also posted records for ordering centers and hospital unit sales, while BARDA procurement is expected to contribute approximately $3 million in Q3.
• The board authorized Vericel’s first $200 million share repurchase program, supported by approximately $227 million in cash and investments. Management said the program will be balanced with continued investment in internal growth, international expansion, clinical studies, and potential M&A.
• Vericel submitted a U.K. marketing authorization application for MACI and remains on track for a potential 2027 launch, while the MACI ankle MASCOT study began enrolling patients. Management expects the U.K. opportunity to require only a limited commercial investment, but approval and reimbursement remain pending.

Vericel Stock Down 3.7%

Vericel stock traded down $1.77 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $45.84. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 20,420 shares, compared to its average volume of 602,640. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $41.73 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $37.33. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 108.87 and a beta of 1.07. Vericel has a twelve month low of $28.95 and a twelve month high of $49.32.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on VCEL. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $70.00 price target on shares of Vericel in a report on Tuesday. Truist Financial reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $58.00 price objective (up from $54.00) on shares of Vericel in a research report on Friday. TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating on shares of Vericel in a research note on Friday. Wall Street Zen raised Vericel from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, July 18th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded Vericel from a “sell (d)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 16th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $58.50.

Key Headlines Impacting Vericel

Here are the key news stories impacting Vericel this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Strong Q2 performance: Vericel reported earnings of $0.04 per share, versus analyst expectations for a $0.04 loss, while revenue rose 22.5% year over year to $77.46 million, exceeding the $72.70 million consensus estimate. Net income was $2.2 million and free cash flow reached $14.3 million. Vericel Q2 2026 financial results
• Positive Sentiment: Higher revenue outlook: Management raised its 2026 revenue guidance to $330 million-$340 million, broadly in line with or above the $331.9 million analyst consensus. The updated outlook reinforces expectations for continued commercial growth. Vericel guidance and repurchase announcement
• Positive Sentiment: $200 million share repurchase: The board authorized a sizable buyback program, which could support earnings per share and provide additional demand for VCEL shares.
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support increased: Truist reaffirmed its Buy rating and raised its price target from $54 to $58, implying meaningful upside from recent trading levels. HC Wainwright also reaffirmed its Buy rating. Truist price target update HC Wainwright rating update
• Neutral Sentiment: The earnings call highlighted the company’s continued growth in MACI and severe burn-care products, but investors will look for further execution against the raised outlook.
• Negative Sentiment: At roughly $47 per share, VCEL trades well above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages and at a high earnings multiple, leaving the stock vulnerable to profit-taking if growth or guidance momentum weakens.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Joseph Anthony Mara, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.75, for a total value of $223,750.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 16,009 shares in the company, valued at $716,402.75. This represents a 23.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Jonathan Mark Hopper sold 10,000 shares of Vericel stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.00, for a total value of $450,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 75,753 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,408,885. This trade represents a 11.66% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 47,732 shares of company stock valued at $2,084,167 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 7.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Kestra Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Vericel during the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Quarry LP acquired a new position in shares of Vericel during the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Truvestments Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Vericel by 175.4% in the 4th quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 1,534 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $55,000 after acquiring an additional 977 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC acquired a new position in Vericel during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $58,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its stake in shares of Vericel by 48.2% in the fourth quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 3,019 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $109,000 after buying an additional 982 shares during the last quarter.

About Vericel

Vericel Corporation is a biotechnology company specializing in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of cell-based therapies for patients with severe diseases and conditions. The company’s expertise lies in regenerative medicine, where it harnesses the power of autologous cell processing to create products designed to restore function and promote healing in damaged tissues.

Vericel currently markets two FDA-approved therapies. MACI® (autologous cultured chondrocytes on porcine collagen membrane) is indicated for the repair of symptomatic cartilage defects of the knee in adult patients.