ACADIA Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ACAD) Posts Quarterly Earnings Results, Misses Estimates By $0.02 EPS

Key Points

• ACADIA missed Q1 estimates with $0.02 EPS vs. a $0.04 consensus and revenue of $268.1M (vs. ~$280.3M), but management reaffirmed 2026 guidance and the company ended the quarter with a strong cash position of $851M.
• DAYBUE STIX is now broadly available in the U.S.; early uptake exceeded expectations (~250 prescriptions in Q1) and DAYBUE contributed materially to revenue (≈$101M), which management expects to help drive future growth.
• The company’s biggest near‑term catalyst is the remlifanserin Phase II readout (Aug–Oct 2026)—management cites ~$4 billion peak sales potential if successful—while an announced EVP R&D retirement by year‑end introduces leadership continuity risk during critical late‑stage milestones.

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ACAD - Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Wednesday. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.02 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.04 by ($0.02), Zacks reports. ACADIA Pharmaceuticals had a return on equity of 12.49% and a net margin of 36.49%.The firm had revenue of $268.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $280.25 million.

Here are the key takeaways from ACADIA Pharmaceuticals' conference call:

• ACADIA reported a solid start to 2026 with $268 million in Q1 revenue (11% adjusted YoY growth), reaffirmed full-year 2026 guidance, and a strong cash position of $851 million, supporting execution and BD flexibility.
• DAYBUE STIX is now broadly available in the U.S.; early uptake exceeded expectations (≈250 prescriptions in Q1, ~30% treatment‑naive or restarts) and management expects the new formulation to re‑engage patients and drive further growth.
• The upcoming remlifanserin Phase II readout (Aug–Oct 2026) is highlighted as the company’s most important near‑term catalyst, with management citing ~\$4 billion peak sales potential for remlifanserin across ADP and LBD psychosis if results are favorable.
• International regulatory and clinical timelines advanced: trofinetide’s European reexamination is expected to conclude by late June and the Japan Phase III readout is now anticipated in Sep–Nov 2026, creating additional potential catalysts but with typical regulatory uncertainty.
• Executive transition risk: EVPR&D Elizabeth Thompson announced retirement by year‑end (she will lead through key readouts), introducing potential leadership continuity risk during a critical period for late‑stage programs.

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Stock Performance

NASDAQ:ACAD traded down $0.87 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $21.48. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,576,546 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,697,851. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.38, a PEG ratio of 23.15 and a beta of 0.86. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $22.16 and a 200-day simple moving average of $23.88. ACADIA Pharmaceuticals has a 1 year low of $14.45 and a 1 year high of $28.35.

More ACADIA Pharmaceuticals News

Here are the key news stories impacting ACADIA Pharmaceuticals this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Strong early adoption of DAYBUE — management highlighted DAYBUE STIX generated $101 million in Q1, helping total revenue and supporting the company’s confidence in the U.S. launch. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Full-year guidance reaffirmed — ACAD reaffirmed its 2026 financial guidance and reiterated revenue targets (management indicated confidence in the year despite the quarter). That reduces concern about an earnings-only miss being a broader slowdown. Read More.
• Neutral Sentiment: Company materials posted — management released a press release and slide deck for the quarter; investors should review slides for product/unit trends and margin commentary. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Earnings and revenue miss — ACAD reported $0.02 EPS vs. consensus ~$0.04 and revenue $268.1M vs. ~$280.3M, which sparked selling pressure as a headline miss despite solid margins. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling — two insiders (EVP Mark Schneyer and James Kihara) disclosed sales on May 4th, which can weigh on sentiment even if sales are routine. Read More.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. HC Wainwright restated a "buy" rating and issued a $37.00 target price on shares of ACADIA Pharmaceuticals in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on shares of ACADIA Pharmaceuticals from $25.00 to $24.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 26th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of ACADIA Pharmaceuticals from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a report on Friday. Citigroup raised their price target on ACADIA Pharmaceuticals from $33.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on ACADIA Pharmaceuticals from $31.00 to $30.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $31.21.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider James Kihara sold 1,332 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.79, for a total transaction of $29,024.28. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 29,129 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $634,720.91. This trade represents a 4.37% 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 hyperlink. Also, EVP Jennifer J. Rhodes sold 6,950 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.38, for a total value of $162,491.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 7,609 shares in the company, valued at $177,898.42. This trade represents a 47.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 15,527 shares of company stock valued at $350,917. 26.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ACADIA Pharmaceuticals

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of ACAD. Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of ACADIA Pharmaceuticals in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in ACADIA Pharmaceuticals by 304.5% during the 4th quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,335 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 1,005 shares during the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. boosted its position in ACADIA Pharmaceuticals by 277.5% during the 4th quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 1,612 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 1,185 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in ACADIA Pharmaceuticals by 51.6% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,596 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $69,000 after acquiring an additional 884 shares during the last quarter. Finally, iSAM Funds UK Ltd purchased a new position in shares of ACADIA Pharmaceuticals in the third quarter valued at about $93,000. 96.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About ACADIA Pharmaceuticals

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Established in 1993 and headquartered in San Diego, California, ACADIA's research centers concentrate on conditions with significant unmet medical needs, including Parkinson's disease psychosis, Alzheimer's disease psychosis, and schizophrenia. The company utilizes a range of scientific platforms, including selective receptor modulation and precision-targeted compounds, to advance its portfolio of small-molecule therapeutics.

The company's flagship product, NUPLAZID® (pimavanserin), received U.S.

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