Septerna, Inc. (NASDAQ:SEPN) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is moderately bullish: Eleven analysts rate Septerna “Moderate Buy,” including eight buys and one strong buy, with an average 12-month price target of $52.44 versus the reported share price of $38.86.
• Septerna exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting an adjusted loss of $0.29 per share compared with the $0.43 consensus loss and revenue of $26.75 million versus the $19.22 million estimate. Analysts expect a full-year loss of approximately $1.41 per share.
• Insiders have been selling shares: Company insiders sold 52,178 shares worth about $2.06 million over the past 90 days, while institutional investors—including TRV GP and Janus Henderson—have established or expanded significant positions.

Shares of Septerna, Inc. (NASDAQ:SEPN - Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the eleven analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has issued a hold recommendation, eight have issued a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $52.4444.

Several analysts have issued reports on SEPN shares. Weiss Ratings restated a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Septerna in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Septerna from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. JonesTrading lifted their target price on Septerna from $43.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. Raymond James Financial restated a "strong-buy" rating and set a $49.00 price target on shares of Septerna in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a $49.00 price target on Septerna in a report on Tuesday, August 11th.

Septerna Price Performance

NASDAQ SEPN opened at $38.86 on Wednesday. Septerna has a fifty-two week low of $14.35 and a fifty-two week high of $51.10. The stock's 50-day moving average is $37.98 and its two-hundred day moving average is $31.67. The firm has a market cap of $1.81 billion, a P/E ratio of -71.96 and a beta of 2.30.

Septerna (NASDAQ:SEPN - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 10th. The company reported ($0.29) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.43) by $0.14. The company had revenue of $26.75 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.22 million. Septerna had a negative return on equity of 9.57% and a negative net margin of 24.51%. On average, equities analysts expect that Septerna will post -1.41 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, COO Elizabeth Bhatt sold 25,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.00, for a total value of $1,100,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 174,209 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,665,196. This represents a 12.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Daniel Long sold 3,333 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.83, for a total value of $126,087.39. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 96,412 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,647,265.96. This trade represents a 3.34% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 52,178 shares of company stock worth $2,064,804. Company insiders own 5.80% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SEPN. Renaissance Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Septerna during the 1st quarter worth approximately $906,000. TRV GP V LLC acquired a new stake in Septerna in the 2nd quarter valued at $208,160,143. TRV GP VI LLC bought a new stake in Septerna in the second quarter valued at $141,048,460. First Light Asset Management LLC grew its position in Septerna by 18.0% in the first quarter. First Light Asset Management LLC now owns 732,860 shares of the company's stock valued at $17,611,000 after acquiring an additional 112,049 shares during the period. Finally, Janus Henderson Group PLC acquired a new position in Septerna during the first quarter worth $21,334,000.

About Septerna

Septerna, Inc is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing oral small-molecule medicines that target G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs are a large class of cell-surface proteins involved in numerous biological processes and are established targets for therapies across a range of diseases.

The company uses its proprietary Native Orthosteric Ligand Discovery platform to study GPCRs in their native cellular environments and identify small-molecule compounds that can modulate these receptors.

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