AMI Asset Management Corp Makes New $1.44 Million Investment in Vera Therapeutics, Inc. $VERA

Key Points

• AMI Asset Management opened a new Q4 position in Vera Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VERA), buying 28,523 shares worth about $1.44 million.
• Institutional investors own 99.21% of VERA, with major funds like Deerfield, Vanguard and Vestal Point recently increasing stakes, indicating heavy institutional accumulation.
• Analysts are broadly positive (10 Buys, 1 Hold, 1 Sell) with an average target of $81.45 versus the recent price near $43.71, implying substantial analyst-implied upside.

AMI Asset Management Corp bought a new position in Vera Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VERA - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 28,523 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,444,000.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Deerfield Management Company L.P. increased its position in Vera Therapeutics by 8.8% in the third quarter. Deerfield Management Company L.P. now owns 3,641,157 shares of the company's stock worth $105,812,000 after buying an additional 293,040 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Vera Therapeutics by 6.3% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,190,653 shares of the company's stock worth $92,720,000 after purchasing an additional 189,545 shares in the last quarter. Vestal Point Capital LP grew its stake in shares of Vera Therapeutics by 24.0% in the second quarter. Vestal Point Capital LP now owns 3,100,000 shares of the company's stock worth $73,036,000 after purchasing an additional 600,000 shares in the last quarter. Integral Health Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Vera Therapeutics by 47.8% in the third quarter. Integral Health Asset Management LLC now owns 1,700,000 shares of the company's stock worth $49,402,000 after purchasing an additional 550,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Schroder Investment Management Group grew its stake in shares of Vera Therapeutics by 82.4% in the third quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 679,992 shares of the company's stock worth $19,652,000 after purchasing an additional 307,243 shares in the last quarter. 99.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Vera Therapeutics Trading Down 3.0%

Shares of VERA stock opened at $43.71 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $41.19 and a 200 day simple moving average of $39.35. Vera Therapeutics, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $18.76 and a fifty-two week high of $56.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.12 billion, a P/E ratio of -9.38 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a quick ratio of 13.64, a current ratio of 13.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12.

Vera Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VERA - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The company reported ($1.39) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($1.34) by ($0.05). During the same quarter last year, the company earned ($0.72) earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Vera Therapeutics, Inc. will post -2.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Vera Therapeutics

In related news, CEO Marshall Fordyce sold 16,925 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.98, for a total value of $710,511.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 257,163 shares in the company, valued at $10,795,702.74. This trade represents a 6.18% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Joseph R. Young sold 3,117 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.98, for a total value of $130,851.66. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 64,722 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,717,029.56. This trade represents a 4.59% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 33,490 shares of company stock valued at $1,405,910. Corporate insiders own 16.30% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VERA has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Vera Therapeutics from $99.00 to $96.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Bank of America increased their price target on Vera Therapeutics from $48.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Wolfe Research raised Vera Therapeutics from a "peer perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $88.00 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 11th. HC Wainwright increased their price target on Vera Therapeutics from $90.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 2nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on Vera Therapeutics from $55.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $81.45.

About Vera Therapeutics

Vera Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel immunotherapies that harness the body's own regulatory T cells to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. By leveraging a proprietary protein engineering platform, the company designs Treg-selective cytokine variants intended to restore immune balance and provide targeted, disease-modifying effects. Its pipeline comprises multiple preclinical and clinical candidates aimed at indications characterized by chronic inflammation and autoimmunity.

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Vera Therapeutics collaborates with leading academic and research institutions to advance its development programs.

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