Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc. (AARD) - What Are Analysts Thinking About This Stock?

Key Points

• Analysts are divided on Aardvark Therapeutics: coverage from 11 analysts yields an average “Hold” rating, with a 12-month price target of $13.12.
• The stock has declined sharply, opening at $3.78 versus a 12-month high of $16.60, while its latest quarterly loss of $0.66 per share was better than analysts’ expected $0.87 loss.
• Insider sentiment was negative: Nelson Sun sold 62,000 shares, reducing his position by 63.61%; meanwhile, several institutional investors, including BlackRock and Renaissance Technologies, recently initiated positions.

Shares of Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AARD - Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of "Hold" from the eleven analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $13.12.

A number of equities analysts have commented on AARD shares. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a "sector perform" rating and issued a $6.00 price target on shares of Aardvark Therapeutics in a research report on Thursday, September 24th. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $6.00 price objective on shares of Aardvark Therapeutics in a report on Monday, July 20th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Aardvark Therapeutics from a "strong sell" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 15th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Aardvark Therapeutics in a research note on Tuesday, September 29th. Finally, BTIG Research reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Aardvark Therapeutics in a report on Monday, October 12th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Nelson Sun sold 62,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $5.18, for a total transaction of $321,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 35,475 shares of the company's stock, valued at $183,760.50. This trade represents a 63.61% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 17.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Aardvark Therapeutics

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Susquehanna International Group LLP bought a new stake in shares of Aardvark Therapeutics during the second quarter worth $138,000. J. Goldman & Co LP bought a new position in shares of Aardvark Therapeutics in the second quarter valued at about $233,000. Ieq Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Aardvark Therapeutics in the second quarter valued at about $221,000. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in Aardvark Therapeutics during the 2nd quarter worth about $1,077,000. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Aardvark Therapeutics during the 1st quarter worth about $267,000.

Aardvark Therapeutics Stock Performance

AARD opened at $3.78 on Friday. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $5.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $5.28. Aardvark Therapeutics has a twelve month low of $3.35 and a twelve month high of $16.60. The firm has a market cap of $82.71 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.18 and a beta of 3.80.

Aardvark Therapeutics (NASDAQ:AARD - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 11th. The company reported ($0.66) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.87) by $0.21. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Aardvark Therapeutics will post -3.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Aardvark Therapeutics Company Profile

Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California. The company develops novel therapies for obesity and other metabolic diseases, with a focus on treatments designed to regulate appetite and food intake.

Its lead investigational product, AARD-001, is an orally administered small-molecule candidate intended to activate bitter taste receptors and stimulate signaling pathways in the gastrointestinal tract that may influence appetite and satiety.

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