CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CRSP) Trading Down 6.1% - What's Next?

Key Points

• CRISPR Therapeutics shares fell about 6.1% to roughly $50.33 intraday after Q1 results showed a wider-than-expected EPS loss (‑$1.28 vs. ‑$1.22) and a revenue shortfall ($1.46M vs. ~$6.06M), with trading volume below average.
• Positive operational updates included CASGEVY sales growth, strengthened cash from recent financing, and pipeline progress—expanding zugo‑cel into autoimmune indications and advancing multiple in‑vivo liver programs—which support longer‑term value.
• Risk factors remain: the company is still pre‑profitability with very negative margins, insiders have been net sellers, and analysts’ consensus is a "Moderate Buy" with an average price target near $64.53.

CRISPR Therapeutics AG (NASDAQ:CRSP - Get Free Report) shares were down 6.1% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $50.26 and last traded at $50.3250. Approximately 1,023,693 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 45% from the average daily volume of 1,865,190 shares. The stock had previously closed at $53.58.

Key Headlines Impacting CRISPR Therapeutics

Here are the key news stories impacting CRISPR Therapeutics this week:

• Positive Sentiment: CASGEVY sales showed growth and the company said its cash reserves strengthened after recent financing — a liquidity boost that supports ongoing R&D and commercial activities. CRISPR Therapeutics' Q1 Loss Wider Than Expected, Sales Miss Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Pipeline progress: management reported expansion of zugo‑cel into additional autoimmune indications and advancement of multiple in‑vivo liver‑directed programs toward the clinic — clinical advancement typically supports longer‑term value. Press Release: Q1 2026 Results & Business Update
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader sector note — Vertex (VRTX) reported stronger Q1 results and reaffirmed guidance; while not a CRISPR item, Vertex's outperformance can shift investor attention within the gene/rare‑disease space. VRTX's Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Q1 financial misses: CRISPR reported a loss per share of $1.28 vs. a consensus loss of ~$1.22 and revenue of $1.46M vs. ~$6.06M expected — a sizable revenue shortfall that pressured the stock. Zacks: Q1 Loss Wider Than Expected, Sales Miss
• Negative Sentiment: Large negative margins and still‑negative profitability metrics highlight that CRSP remains pre‑profitability and reliant on cash raises and product ramp to reach break‑even. Earnings recap: revenue & EPS surprises

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently weighed in on CRSP shares. Bank of America dropped their target price on CRISPR Therapeutics from $90.00 to $89.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Chardan Capital increased their target price on CRISPR Therapeutics from $74.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, February 14th. Piper Sandler reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $110.00 target price (up from $105.00) on shares of CRISPR Therapeutics in a research report on Tuesday, March 17th. Citizens Jmp cut their price objective on CRISPR Therapeutics from $86.00 to $80.00 and set a "market outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of CRISPR Therapeutics in a research note on Monday, February 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $64.53.

CRISPR Therapeutics Stock Down 2.2%

The company has a market cap of $5.05 billion, a PE ratio of -8.03 and a beta of 1.75. The company has a 50-day moving average of $52.43 and a 200-day moving average of $54.74.

CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CRSP - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, May 11th. The company reported ($1.28) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($1.22) by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $1.46 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.06 million. CRISPR Therapeutics had a negative net margin of 16,569.77% and a negative return on equity of 26.31%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 68.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned ($1.58) EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that CRISPR Therapeutics AG will post -4.93 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at CRISPR Therapeutics

In related news, insider Naimish Patel sold 3,150 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.26, for a total value of $152,019.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 13,143 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $634,281.18. The trade was a 19.33% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, General Counsel James R. Kasinger sold 3,450 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.26, for a total transaction of $166,497.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel directly owned 91,240 shares in the company, valued at $4,403,242.40. This trade represents a 3.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 51,828 shares of company stock worth $2,578,097 in the last quarter. 4.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On CRISPR Therapeutics

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Canal Insurance CO purchased a new position in shares of CRISPR Therapeutics during the 1st quarter valued at $1,670,000. CAP Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of CRISPR Therapeutics during the 1st quarter valued at $205,000. Gables Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of CRISPR Therapeutics during the 1st quarter valued at $190,000. SFE Investment Counsel lifted its position in shares of CRISPR Therapeutics by 12.1% during the 1st quarter. SFE Investment Counsel now owns 14,120 shares of the company's stock valued at $672,000 after buying an additional 1,520 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Farrow Financial Inc. lifted its position in shares of CRISPR Therapeutics by 5.3% during the 1st quarter. Farrow Financial Inc. now owns 16,979 shares of the company's stock valued at $808,000 after buying an additional 849 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.20% of the company's stock.

About CRISPR Therapeutics

CRISPR Therapeutics AG is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of gene-editing therapies based on the CRISPR/Cas9 platform. The company applies its proprietary technology to modify genes in human cells, aiming to create durable treatments for a range of serious diseases. Its research and development efforts focus on both ex vivo and in vivo applications, enabling targeted correction or disruption of disease-causing genes.

Among its lead programs is CTX001, an ex vivo edited cell therapy designed to treat sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia in collaboration with Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

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