Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTRA – Free Report) achieved a new 52-week high in trading on Friday after reporting a better-than-expected earnings report. The stock rose to as high as $117.39 and was last traded at $116.23 on volume of 1,010,272 shares. The stock had previously closed at $107.70.
The medical research company reported earnings per share of -$0.30 for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of -$0.69 by $0.39. The company had revenue of $413.35 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $343.00 million. Natera had a negative return on equity of 49.72% and a negative net margin of 30.24%. The company’s quarterly revenue grew 58.1% compared to the year-ago quarter. During the same period last year, the company generated earnings per share of -$0.97.
Upgrades and downgrades by analysts
NTRA has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. UBS Group cut their price target on Natera from $160.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Natera in a research note on Monday, June 3rd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $142.00 price target for the company. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $125.00 price target on shares of Natera in a research report on Friday. Robert W. Baird raised his price target on shares of Natera from $117.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, BTIG Research raised their price target on Natera from $125.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock a “hold” and fifteen have given the company’s stock a “buy” rating. According to MarketBeat.com, Natera currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $112.80.
Read our latest research report on Natera
Insiders place their bets
In other Natera news, CFO Michael Burkes Brophy sold 1,866 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 31. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.65, for a total transaction of $185,946.90. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 71,955 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,170,315.75. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, CEO Steven Leonard Chapman sold 6,779 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 15. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.08, for a total value of $725,895.32. Following the sale, the Chief Executive Officer now directly owns 219,456 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $23,499,348.48. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC’s website. Also, CFO Michael Burkes Brophy sold 1,866 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 31. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.65, for a total transaction of $185,946.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the Chief Financial Officer now owns 71,955 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,170,315.75. The disclosure regarding this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 88,387 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $9,547,136, in the last three months. 7.60% of the shares are currently owned by company insiders.
Hedge funds comment on Natera
Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently changed their holdings in the company. Arizona State Retirement System increased its stake in Natera by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 31,497 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $1,973,000 after buying an additional 579 shares during the same period. International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Natera by 6,007.5% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 7,329 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $459,000 after buying an additional 7,209 shares during the same period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its stake in shares of Natera by 28.6% in the 4th quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 720,160 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $45,111,000 after acquiring an additional 159,993 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC increased its holdings in Natera by 1,043.3% in the 4th quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 90,423 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $5,664,000 after acquiring an additional 82,514 shares during the same period. Finally, WCM Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Natera by 101.2% in the 4th quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 145,996 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $9,058,000 after acquiring an additional 73,419 shares in the last quarter. 99.90% of the shares are owned by institutional investors.
Natera trading increases by 6.4%
The stock’s 50-day average price is $107.91 and its 200-day average price is $94.97. The stock has a market cap of $14.07 billion, a P/E ratio of -36.72 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a quick ratio of 3.98, a current ratio of 4.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36.
Natera Company Profile
(Get free report)
Natera, Inc., a diagnostics company, develops and markets molecular testing services worldwide. Its products include Panorama, a noninvasive prenatal test that screens for chromosomal abnormalities in a fetus as well as in twin pregnancies; the Horizon carrier screening test for individuals and couples to determine if they are carriers of genetic variations that cause certain genetic diseases; Vistara single-gene NIPT tests for 25 single-gene disorders that cause serious skeletal, cardiac and neurological diseases; Spectrum, preimplantation genetic testing for couples undergoing IVF; Anora, which analyzes women’s miscarriage tissue; Empower, a hereditary cancer screening test; and a noninvasive prenatal paternity product that allows a couple to establish paternity without waiting for the child to be born.
See also
Get daily news and reviews for Natera – Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts’ ratings for Natera and related companies with MarketBeat.com’s FREE daily email newsletter.
