Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super Takes $2.14 Million Position in Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX)

Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super bought a new position in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 15,670 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,139,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NBIX. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Neurocrine Biosciences during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $115,193,000. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences by 102.9% during the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,457,425 shares of the company's stock worth $198,939,000 after buying an additional 739,199 shares during the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lifted its holdings in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences by 2,759.4% during the fourth quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 737,772 shares of the company's stock worth $100,705,000 after buying an additional 711,970 shares during the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC boosted its position in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences by 145.1% in the fourth quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 820,694 shares of the company's stock valued at $112,025,000 after acquiring an additional 485,894 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences in the fourth quarter worth $44,403,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.59% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Ingrid Delaet sold 623 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.29, for a total transaction of $93,007.67. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 3,442 shares in the company, valued at approximately $513,856.18. The trade was a 15.33 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Kevin Charles Gorman sold 5,844 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.69, for a total transaction of $681,936.36. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 521,618 shares in the company, valued at approximately $60,867,604.42. This trade represents a 1.11 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 167,906 shares of company stock valued at $24,671,530. 4.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Neurocrine Biosciences Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ NBIX traded down $0.22 during trading on Monday, reaching $101.17. The company had a trading volume of 178,002 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,051,904. Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. has a 52 week low of $84.23 and a 52 week high of $157.98. The business's 50 day moving average price is $108.35 and its 200-day moving average price is $122.53. The stock has a market cap of $10.01 billion, a PE ratio of 30.80, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 0.33.

Neurocrine Biosciences (NASDAQ:NBIX - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.00 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.62 by ($0.62). Neurocrine Biosciences had a net margin of 14.49% and a return on equity of 13.38%. Equities analysts anticipate that Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. will post 4.28 earnings per share for the current year.

Neurocrine Biosciences declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback program on Friday, February 21st that allows the company to buyback $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to purchase up to 4.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of Neurocrine Biosciences from $184.00 to $179.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 7th. Barclays lifted their target price on Neurocrine Biosciences from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, December 23rd. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and issued a $150.00 price target (down previously from $185.00) on shares of Neurocrine Biosciences in a report on Friday, March 7th. UBS Group decreased their price objective on Neurocrine Biosciences from $154.00 to $137.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 4th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Neurocrine Biosciences from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Neurocrine Biosciences has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $161.86.

Neurocrine Biosciences Company Profile

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc discovers, develops, and markets pharmaceuticals for neurological, neuroendocrine, and neuropsychiatric disorders in the United States and internationally. The company's products include INGREZZA for tardive dyskinesia and chorea associated with Huntington's disease; ALKINDI for adrenal insufficiency; Efmody capsules for classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia; Orilissa tablets for endometriosis; and Oriahnn capsules to treat uterine fibroids.