Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC Sells 42,645 Shares of Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTRA)

Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC trimmed its stake in Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTRA - Free Report) by 49.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 43,882 shares of the medical research company's stock after selling 42,645 shares during the period. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC's holdings in Natera were worth $6,947,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Principal Securities Inc. increased its holdings in Natera by 20.7% in the fourth quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 344 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the period. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC grew its holdings in Natera by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC now owns 3,629 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $574,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated grew its holdings in Natera by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated now owns 2,963 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $470,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in Natera by 104.3% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 190 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the period. Finally, Utah Retirement Systems grew its holdings in Natera by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Utah Retirement Systems now owns 6,200 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $981,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. 99.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Natera Stock Down 0.9%

Natera stock traded down $1.34 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $150.94. 442,813 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,385,262. The business's 50 day moving average is $147.91 and its 200 day moving average is $156.15. Natera, Inc. has a 52 week low of $92.14 and a 52 week high of $183.00. The company has a market capitalization of $20.40 billion, a P/E ratio of -85.76 and a beta of 1.79. The company has a current ratio of 4.39, a quick ratio of 4.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33.

Natera (NASDAQ:NTRA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The medical research company reported ($0.50) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.59) by $0.09. Natera had a negative return on equity of 26.23% and a negative net margin of 14.01%. The business had revenue of $501.83 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $446.68 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted ($0.56) earnings per share. Natera's revenue was up 36.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that Natera, Inc. will post -1.49 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Solomon Moshkevich sold 2,206 shares of Natera stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.18, for a total value of $335,709.08. Following the sale, the insider now owns 139,280 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $21,195,630.40. The trade was a 1.56% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Steven Leonard Chapman sold 87,272 shares of Natera stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $143.40, for a total transaction of $12,514,804.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 203,354 shares in the company, valued at $29,160,963.60. This trade represents a 30.03% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 152,436 shares of company stock valued at $22,019,079 in the last 90 days. 7.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have weighed in on NTRA shares. UBS Group increased their price target on Natera from $211.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Royal Bank of Canada initiated coverage on Natera in a research note on Thursday, March 13th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $251.00 price target on the stock. BTIG Research reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Natera in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $180.00 price target on shares of Natera in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Natera from $183.00 to $188.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Natera presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $181.82.

Natera Company Profile

Natera, Inc, a diagnostics company, develops and commercializes molecular testing services worldwide. Its products include Panorama, a non-invasive prenatal test that screens for chromosomal abnormalities of a fetus, as well as in twin pregnancies; Horizon carrier screening test for individuals and couples determine if they are carriers of genetic variations that cause certain genetic conditions; Vistara single-gene NIPT screens for 25 single-gene disorders that cause severe skeletal, cardiac, and neurological conditions; Spectrum, preimplantation genetic tests for couples undergoing IVF; Anora that analyzes miscarriage tissue from women; Empower, a hereditary cancer screening test; and non-invasive prenatal paternity product, which allows a couple to establish paternity without waiting for the child to be born.