BlackRock Inc. Makes New $2.87 Billion Investment in United Therapeutics Corporation $UTHR

Key Points

• BlackRock acquired 5.29 million United Therapeutics shares worth approximately $2.87 billion, giving it a 12.47% stake. Institutional investors collectively own 94.08% of UTHR.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with 11 Buy ratings and two Holds producing a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $646.
• United Therapeutics exceeded quarterly EPS expectations, reporting $7.27 versus the $6.86 estimate, although revenue fell 1.9% year over year to $783.3 million. Insiders sold 452,575 shares worth about $245.7 million over the past three months.

BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 5,294,529 shares of the biotechnology company's stock, valued at approximately $2,868,735,000. BlackRock Inc. owned 12.47% of United Therapeutics as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UTHR. Torren Management LLC bought a new position in United Therapeutics during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Activest Wealth Management grew its position in United Therapeutics by 1,400.0% in the 4th quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 60 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the period. WealthCollab LLC raised its stake in United Therapeutics by 55.9% during the 2nd quarter. WealthCollab LLC now owns 106 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. raised its stake in United Therapeutics by 76.7% during the 2nd quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 106 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Entrust Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of United Therapeutics during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. 94.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on UTHR shares. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on United Therapeutics from $704.00 to $677.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. Wells Fargo & Company raised United Therapeutics from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and increased their target price for the company from $575.00 to $735.00 in a report on Thursday, May 7th. Bank of America dropped their target price on United Therapeutics from $620.00 to $613.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on United Therapeutics from $685.00 to $687.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of United Therapeutics from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $646.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Martine A. Rothblatt sold 9,500 shares of United Therapeutics stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $547.61, for a total value of $5,202,295.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 40,513 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,185,323.93. This trade represents a 19.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO James Edgemond sold 10,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $564.11, for a total transaction of $5,641,100.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 18,876 shares in the company, valued at $10,648,140.36. This trade represents a 34.63% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 452,575 shares of company stock valued at $245,684,184. 8.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

United Therapeutics Stock Performance

UTHR opened at $518.27 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $22.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.59. The firm's fifty day moving average is $534.53 and its 200 day moving average is $536.74. United Therapeutics Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $302.19 and a fifty-two week high of $609.35.

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The biotechnology company reported $7.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.86 by $0.41. United Therapeutics had a return on equity of 20.18% and a net margin of 41.56%.The firm had revenue of $783.30 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $804.65 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $6.41 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that United Therapeutics Corporation will post 26.33 earnings per share for the current year.

United Therapeutics Company Profile

United Therapeutics Corporation NASDAQ: UTHR is a biotechnology company dedicated to the development and commercialization of unique products to address life-threatening illnesses. The company's primary focus has been on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), where it has launched several therapies designed to improve functional capacity and quality of life for patients. Its marketed products include continuous infusion treprostinil (Remodulin), inhaled treprostinil (Tyvaso), oral treprostinil (Orenitram) and tadalafil (Adcirca), each tailored to different modes of administration and patient needs.

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