Natera (NASDAQ:NTRA) Stock Moved Up to "Strong-Buy" by Roth Capital

Key Points

• Roth Capital upgraded Natera to “strong buy.” Other analysts have also raised price targets, with the stock holding a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average target of $379.20.
• Natera shares opened at $403.95, near their 12-month high of $437.41, and remained above both the 50-day and 200-day moving averages.
• The company reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, including $752.75 million in revenue, up 37.7% year over year, while posting an adjusted loss of $0.47 per share versus the $0.49 consensus estimate.

Natera (NASDAQ:NTRA - Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Roth Capital to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report issued on Thursday, Zacks reports.

A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on NTRA. TD Cowen upped their price target on Natera from $340.00 to $480.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 13th. Evercore reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $300.00 price objective on shares of Natera in a report on Monday, July 6th. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price objective on Natera from $375.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, October 19th. Sanford C. Bernstein initiated coverage on Natera in a research note on Friday, June 26th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $310.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $348.00 price objective on shares of Natera in a report on Friday, August 7th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $379.20.

Natera Stock Up 0.6%

NASDAQ:NTRA opened at $403.95 on Thursday. The firm's 50 day moving average is $367.33 and its 200 day moving average is $282.37. Natera has a 12 month low of $181.00 and a 12 month high of $437.41.

Natera (NASDAQ:NTRA - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The medical research company reported ($0.47) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.49) by $0.02. Natera had a negative return on equity of 11.38% and a negative net margin of 7.11%. The business had revenue of $752.75 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $661.24 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned ($0.74) earnings per share. Natera's revenue for the quarter was up 37.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Natera will post -1.02 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Solomon Moshkevich sold 3,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $414.22, for a total transaction of $1,242,660.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 106,914 shares in the company, valued at $44,285,917.08. The trade was a 2.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CFO Michael Brophy sold 478 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.22, for a total transaction of $131,077.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 51,637 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,159,898.14. This trade represents a 0.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 52,985 shares of company stock valued at $16,119,137. 5.05% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Natera

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Trust Co. of Vermont purchased a new position in shares of Natera in the second quarter worth $26,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Natera during the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Continuum Advisory LLC bought a new stake in Natera during the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Natera by 132.9% during the 1st quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 170 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the period. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in Natera during the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.90% of the company's stock.

Natera Company Profile

Natera, Inc is a diagnostics company that develops and commercializes molecular testing services designed to provide personalized genetic and genomic information. Its tests are used across reproductive health, oncology and organ transplantation, with the company combining next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics to analyze DNA and monitor disease-related signals.

In reproductive health, Natera offers Panorama noninvasive prenatal screening, Horizon carrier screening and Vistara single-gene disorder screening.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.