HWG Holdings LP Makes New $9.82 Million Investment in Natera, Inc. $NTRA

Key Points

• HWG Holdings LP acquired a new $9.82 million stake in Natera during the third quarter, purchasing 23,772 shares. Institutional investors now own approximately 99.9% of Natera’s stock.
• Natera reported 37.7% year-over-year revenue growth to $752.75 million, exceeding analyst expectations, though it remained unprofitable with a quarterly loss of $0.47 per share.
• Analyst sentiment remains broadly positive, with UBS, Citigroup, and Guggenheim raising price targets and maintaining Buy ratings. However, the stock’s sharp rise near its 52-week high and recent insider sales highlight potential valuation and profit-taking risks.

HWG Holdings LP acquired a new position in Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTRA - Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 23,772 shares of the medical research company's stock, valued at approximately $9,825,000. Natera comprises about 2.3% of HWG Holdings LP's portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest position.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cooper Financial Group lifted its stake in shares of Natera by 35.1% during the 3rd quarter. Cooper Financial Group now owns 1,108 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $458,000 after buying an additional 288 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Trust Services Inc. grew its stake in Natera by 2,144.7% in the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Trust Services Inc. now owns 853 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $353,000 after buying an additional 815 shares in the last quarter. Polaris Financial Partners bought a new stake in Natera during the 3rd quarter valued at $114,000. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its holdings in Natera by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 815 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $337,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares during the period. Finally, Burkett Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Natera during the third quarter worth $57,000. 99.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Natera Stock Down 1.3%

Natera stock opened at $395.56 on Thursday. Natera, Inc. has a 52 week low of $167.99 and a 52 week high of $437.41. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $341.55 and a 200 day simple moving average of $265.84. The stock has a market cap of $57.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -290.85 and a beta of 1.50.

Natera (NASDAQ:NTRA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The medical research company reported ($0.47) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.49) by $0.02. Natera had a negative return on equity of 11.38% and a negative net margin of 7.11%.The firm had revenue of $752.75 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $661.24 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted ($0.74) EPS. The company's revenue was up 37.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Natera, Inc. will post -1.02 earnings per share for the current year.

More Natera News

Here are the key news stories impacting Natera this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Expanding Signatera clinical program: Natera and Alliance Foundation Trials announced AFT-70 NAVIGATE, a global randomized Phase III trial evaluating Genentech’s oral selective estrogen receptor degrader in breast cancer. Natera is providing its Signatera molecular residual disease (MRD) testing, potentially expanding the test’s role in treatment decisions. AFT-70 NAVIGATE trial article
• Positive Sentiment: New melanoma study begins: Natera announced a randomized, Signatera-guided interventional study in melanoma, while a separate study evaluating Signatera’s ability to identify skin cancer earlier began enrollment. Successful results could support broader adoption of the company’s oncology testing platform. Melanoma study article
• Positive Sentiment: Additional oncology evidence: New Signatera data presented at the ASTRO conference highlighted potential utility for radiation oncologists, adding to the evidence supporting clinical use of the test. ASTRO Signatera data article
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: Guggenheim raised its NTRA price target to $475 from $360 and maintained a Buy rating, reinforcing bullish sentiment around Natera’s growth prospects. Guggenheim price target article
• Neutral Sentiment: Strong but demanding valuation: Natera’s latest reported revenue increased 37.7% year over year to $752.75 million and exceeded estimates, but the company remained unprofitable. The stock’s sharp rise toward its yearly high increases sensitivity to profit-taking and valuation concerns.
• Negative Sentiment: Profit-taking after record levels: NTRA declined after touching a new annual high, with the retreat described as a sizable one-session loss. The move suggests investors are locking in gains rather than reacting to a deterioration in the company’s clinical outlook. Natera price swing article
• Negative Sentiment: CEO stock sale: CEO Steven Chapman sold 1,273 shares worth approximately $526,000 under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan. The sale was only 1.3% of his direct holdings, limiting its significance, but it may add to near-term selling pressure. Natera insider sale article

Insider Activity at Natera

In other news, CFO Michael Brophy sold 478 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.22, for a total transaction of $131,077.16. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 51,637 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,159,898.14. This trade represents a 0.92% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 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. Also, insider Solomon Moshkevich sold 3,000 shares of Natera stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $414.22, for a total transaction of $1,242,660.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 106,914 shares of the company's stock, valued at $44,285,917.08. This represents a 2.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 52,985 shares of company stock valued at $16,119,137. Company insiders own 5.05% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on NTRA shares. UBS Group lifted their price target on Natera from $290.00 to $435.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 9th. Leerink Partners set a $330.00 target price on Natera in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Evercore reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $300.00 target price on shares of Natera in a report on Monday, July 6th. Rothschild & Co Redburn initiated coverage on Natera in a research report on Tuesday, September 8th. They set a "buy" rating and a $385.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Natera from $365.00 to $480.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Natera presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $353.45.

Natera Company Profile

Natera, Inc is a diagnostics company that develops and commercializes molecular testing services designed to assess genetic and disease-related risks. The company uses technologies including cell-free DNA analysis and next-generation sequencing to support clinical decision-making in reproductive health, oncology and organ transplantation.

Its reproductive health offerings include Panorama, a noninvasive prenatal test that screens for certain chromosomal conditions, and Horizon, a carrier screening test that evaluates whether prospective parents carry genetic variants associated with inherited disorders.

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NTRA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTRA - Free Report).

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.