Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) Posts Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.74 EPS

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($1.23) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($1.97) by $0.74, FiscalAI reports. Nektar Therapeutics had a negative net margin of 284.18% and a negative return on equity of 85.40%. The company had revenue of $10.13 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.43 million.

Here are the key takeaways from Nektar Therapeutics’ conference call:

• REZPEG’s phase III atopic dermatitis program has begun, with two studies already randomizing patients and a treatment-experienced study expected to start by the end of September. Top-line data are anticipated in mid-2028, with a potential BLA submission in 2029 if results are positive.
• Nektar received FDA alignment on a single registrational phase III study in alopecia areata, which is planned to begin in early 2027 and enroll 850 patients. The company expects data in the second half of 2029 and believes REZPEG’s safety profile and twice-monthly injectable dosing could differentiate it from daily oral JAK inhibitors.
• Management highlighted phase IIb findings and physician research suggesting durable and deepening responses, including complete skin clearance, quarterly maintenance dosing, no observed conjunctivitis, and no increased infection risk in atopic dermatitis. The company believes the novel Treg mechanism could support first-line as well as later-line use.
• Nektar ended the quarter with $1.02 billion in cash and investments and no debt, extending its cash runway into the third quarter of 2028. Year-end 2026 cash guidance was raised to $815 million–$840 million, although R&D spending is expected to rise as phase III trials and manufacturing activities advance.

Nektar Therapeutics Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of Nektar Therapeutics stock opened at $75.92 on Friday. Nektar Therapeutics has a 12-month low of $25.01 and a 12-month high of $109.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.57 billion, a P/E ratio of -9.02 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $67.66 and a 200 day simple moving average of $69.02.

Insider Transactions at Nektar Therapeutics

In other Nektar Therapeutics news, CEO Howard W. Robin sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.32, for a total transaction of $603,200.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 65,045 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,923,514.40. This represents a 13.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Jonathan Zalevsky sold 5,681 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.00, for a total transaction of $397,670.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 9,756 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $682,920. The trade was a 36.80% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 21,862 shares of company stock worth $1,379,205. Company insiders own 2.50% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Nektar Therapeutics

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NKTR. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in Nektar Therapeutics during the 4th quarter worth about $584,000. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 106.3% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 468,159 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $19,794,000 after acquiring an additional 241,262 shares during the last quarter. Creek Drive Management Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics in the fourth quarter worth about $7,843,000. KVP Capital Advisors LP acquired a new position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics during the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,137,000. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd lifted its position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 22.0% during the fourth quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 7,196 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $304,000 after purchasing an additional 1,299 shares in the last quarter. 75.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

NKTR has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Tuesday, June 2nd. Wedbush cut their price target on shares of Nektar Therapeutics from $95.00 to $80.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, May 11th. BTIG Research upped their price objective on Nektar Therapeutics from $151.00 to $178.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, April 20th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Nektar Therapeutics from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, May 17th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $150.00.

Nektar Therapeutics Company Profile

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing novel drug candidates through its proprietary chemistry and immunology platforms. The company focuses on polymer conjugate technology, which enables the creation of longer-acting versions of existing drugs, and on T-cell modulatory therapies aimed at harnessing the body’s immune system to treat cancer and other serious diseases.

Nektar’s product portfolio and pipeline include a range of clinical-stage and partnered programs.