Esperion Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ESPR) Downgraded by Cantor Fitzgerald to "Hold"

Key Points

• Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded Esperion from "strong‑buy" to "hold," while other analysts remain mixed—MarketBeat shows a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with a consensus target price of $5.54.
• Archimed agreed to acquire Esperion in a deal valuing the company at about $1.1 billion, offering $3.16 per share in cash plus up to $100 million in contingent payments, and multiple shareholder‑rights firms have opened investigations alleging the price may be unfair, which could prompt litigation or delays.

Esperion Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ESPR - Get Free Report) was downgraded by research analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on ESPR. Needham & Company LLC lifted their price target on shares of Esperion Therapeutics from $4.00 to $5.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 3rd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Esperion Therapeutics from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, March 14th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Esperion Therapeutics in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. Citizens Jmp boosted their price target on Esperion Therapeutics from $4.00 to $5.00 and gave the stock a "market outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, March 13th. Finally, HC Wainwright restated a "neutral" rating and set a $3.16 price target on shares of Esperion Therapeutics in a research note on Friday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $5.54.

Esperion Therapeutics Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:ESPR opened at $3.11 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $800.53 million, a PE ratio of -18.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.17. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $2.55 and its 200-day simple moving average is $3.07. Esperion Therapeutics has a one year low of $0.69 and a one year high of $4.18.

Esperion Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ESPR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 10th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.23 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $168.45 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $165.12 million. Equities research analysts predict that Esperion Therapeutics will post 0.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Esperion Therapeutics

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Kestra Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Esperion Therapeutics during the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. KFG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Esperion Therapeutics during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Esperion Therapeutics during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Larson Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Esperion Therapeutics during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors purchased a new position in shares of Esperion Therapeutics during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 47.39% of the company's stock.

Esperion Therapeutics News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Archimed agreed to acquire Esperion in a deal valuing the company at as much as ~$1.1 billion; shareholders are to receive $3.16 per share in cash plus the right to participate in up to $100 million of contingent milestone payments — the bid is the primary catalyst lifting the stock. Article Title Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: HC Wainwright reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $3.16 price target — the PT matches the deal cash price, effectively signaling analyst alignment with the offer price but leaving little upside under the transaction. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Trading was temporarily halted ahead of the announcement for "news pending," consistent with a material corporate event; halts are routine but can compress post‑halt volatility. (Internal trading halt notice)
• Neutral Sentiment: Unusual options activity: roughly 7,568 calls were bought — about a 212% increase versus typical daily call volume — indicating speculative or arbitrage positioning around the deal. This can amplify intraday moves but doesn’t change deal economics. (Options flow report)
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple shareholder‑rights law firms (Monteverde & Associates/M&A Class Action Firm, Ademi LLP, and Halper Sadeh LLC) have opened investigations alleging Esperion shareholders may not be receiving a fair price, which could lead to litigation, a negotiated price revision, or delays to closing. Article Title Article Title Article Title

About Esperion Therapeutics

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of oral, low–density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)–lowering therapies. The company's research and development efforts center on small-molecule compounds designed to address atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by targeting cholesterol biosynthesis pathways. Esperion seeks to provide novel treatment options for patients who require additional LDL-C reduction beyond what is achieved with statins or who are statin-intolerant.

The company's lead products include NEXLETOL (bempedoic acid), an oral adenosine triphosphate–citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitor approved by the U.S.

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