Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ:LUNR) Downgraded by Zacks Research to Strong Sell

Key Points

• Zacks Research downgraded Intuitive Machines to “strong sell” from “hold,” although analyst opinions remain mixed. The stock has a consensus “hold” rating and an average price target of $30.50.
• LUNR shares fell 5.3% to open at $12.18, well below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages. The company also missed quarterly expectations, reporting an adjusted loss of $0.29 per share versus the expected $0.09 loss.
• Insiders sold 12.2 million shares worth approximately $158.6 million over the last quarter, including a 50% reduction by major shareholder Advent International. Insiders still own 54.1% of the company, while institutions own 72.21%.

Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ:LUNR - Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at Zacks Research from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a report issued on Monday, Zacks reports.

Several other analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of Intuitive Machines in a research report on Monday, September 21st. Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their target price on shares of Intuitive Machines from $41.00 to $39.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 18th. Weiss Ratings restated a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Intuitive Machines in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Stifel Nicolaus raised shares of Intuitive Machines from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and lowered their price target for the company from $32.00 to $26.00 in a report on Friday, August 14th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Intuitive Machines from $11.00 to $13.00 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a report on Monday, August 31st. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $30.50.

Intuitive Machines Trading Down 5.3%

LUNR stock opened at $12.18 on Monday. Intuitive Machines has a 1 year low of $7.78 and a 1 year high of $46.75. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $15.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $21.09.

Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ:LUNR - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 13th. The company reported ($0.29) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.09) by ($0.20). The company had revenue of $206.17 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $212.32 million. On average, research analysts expect that Intuitive Machines will post -0.60 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Intuitive Machines news, major shareholder International L.P. Advent sold 11,495,514 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.84, for a total transaction of $147,602,399.76. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 11,495,514 shares in the company, valued at $147,602,399.76. This trade represents a 50.00% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Timothy Crain, II sold 50,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.05, for a total transaction of $752,500.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 351,279 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,286,748.95. The trade was a 12.46% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold 12,201,528 shares of company stock worth $158,629,235 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 54.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LUNR. Nykredit A S acquired a new position in Intuitive Machines in the second quarter worth about $25,000. State of Wyoming bought a new stake in Intuitive Machines in the first quarter valued at about $39,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its stake in Intuitive Machines by 34.2% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,793 shares of the company's stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 712 shares in the last quarter. JTC Employer Solutions Trustee Ltd acquired a new stake in Intuitive Machines during the first quarter valued at approximately $59,000. Finally, KBC Group NV lifted its holdings in Intuitive Machines by 76.4% during the 1st quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 4,247 shares of the company's stock worth $79,000 after buying an additional 1,840 shares during the last quarter. 72.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Intuitive Machines Company Profile

Intuitive Machines, Inc is a space exploration and infrastructure company headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company develops and operates lunar landers, spacecraft, and related systems designed to deliver payloads to the Moon and support communications, navigation, and other lunar operations.

Its primary product platform is the Nova-C lunar lander, which is designed to transport scientific instruments, technology demonstrations, and commercial payloads to the lunar surface. Intuitive Machines also provides lunar data transmission and satellite communications services, autonomous navigation systems, precision landing technologies, and other products intended to support a broader lunar economy.

Founded in 2013 by Steve Altemus, who serves as president and chief executive officer, Intuitive Machines became a publicly traded company in 2024.

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