Aberdeen Group plc Acquires 1,393,528 Shares of Natera, Inc. $NTRA

Key Points

• Aberdeen Group sharply increased its Natera stake, buying 1,393,528 shares in the third quarter to reach 1,398,794 shares, valued at about $578 million.
• Natera reported quarterly revenue of $793.98 million, up 34.1% year over year and above estimates, but its loss of $0.42 per share was wider than analysts expected.
• Analysts hold a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating with an average price target of $394.31; the stock opened at $319.09 in the reported session.

Aberdeen Group plc increased its holdings in Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTRA - Free Report) by 26,462.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,398,794 shares of the medical research company's stock after buying an additional 1,393,528 shares during the period. Natera accounts for 0.6% of Aberdeen Group plc's investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest position. Aberdeen Group plc owned approximately 0.97% of Natera worth $578,136,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of NTRA. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in Natera during the 2nd quarter worth about $2,962,770,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its holdings in Natera by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,191,732 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $238,334,000 after purchasing an additional 11,793 shares during the period. Maverick Capital Ltd. grew its position in shares of Natera by 24.1% during the 1st quarter. Maverick Capital Ltd. now owns 1,171,633 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $234,315,000 after purchasing an additional 227,605 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its position in shares of Natera by 10.7% during the 2nd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 833,376 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $226,220,000 after purchasing an additional 80,440 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new position in shares of Natera during the 2nd quarter valued at $199,960,000. 99.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Natera Trading Down 1.2%

NASDAQ:NTRA opened at $319.09 on Friday. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $379.70 and its 200 day simple moving average is $271.61. Natera, Inc. has a twelve month low of $181.00 and a twelve month high of $437.41.

Natera (NASDAQ:NTRA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 5th. The medical research company reported ($0.42) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.28) by ($0.14). Natera had a negative net margin of 5.66% and a negative return on equity of 8.61%. The company had revenue of $793.98 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $707.54 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.64) EPS. Natera's quarterly revenue was up 34.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Natera, Inc. will post -1.25 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Natera

In related news, CFO Michael Brophy sold 1,906 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $425.55, for a total transaction of $811,098.30. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 46,574 shares of the company's stock, valued at $19,819,565.70. The trade was a 3.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Steven Chapman sold 3,801 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $411.80, for a total transaction of $1,565,251.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 87,431 shares in the company, valued at approximately $36,004,085.80. This trade represents a 4.17% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 47,056 shares of company stock valued at $17,760,989. 5.05% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Rothschild & Co Redburn started coverage on Natera in a report on Tuesday, September 8th. They set a "buy" rating and a $385.00 price objective for the company. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of Natera from $340.00 to $480.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 13th. Roth Capital began coverage on shares of Natera in a research report on Thursday, October 22nd. They issued a "buy" rating and a $475.00 target price for the company. BTIG Research increased their target price on Natera from $320.00 to $430.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 27th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their target price on Natera from $375.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, October 19th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $394.31.

Natera Profile

Natera, Inc. is a diagnostics company that develops and provides genetic testing and molecular diagnostics for reproductive health, oncology and organ health. Its tests analyze cell-free DNA and other genetic material to support screening, diagnosis and disease monitoring. In reproductive health, Natera offers Panorama, a noninvasive prenatal screening test, and Horizon, a carrier screening test. Its oncology portfolio includes Signatera, a personalized circulating tumor DNA test used to monitor for molecular residual disease and assess cancer recurrence.

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