Invesco Ltd. Raises Stock Position in United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR)

Key Points

• Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in United Therapeutics by 46.1%, owning 465,115 shares valued at $143.38 million after purchasing an additional 146,664 shares.
• United Therapeutics' stock prices rose by 0.3%, reaching $313.13, with a market capitalization of $14.13 billion.
• The company reported earnings of $6.41 per share for the quarter, missing analyst expectations, with revenues of $798.60 million.

Invesco Ltd. raised its position in shares of United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR - Free Report) by 46.1% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 465,115 shares of the biotechnology company's stock after buying an additional 146,664 shares during the quarter. Invesco Ltd. owned about 1.03% of United Therapeutics worth $143,381,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Dunhill Financial LLC raised its position in United Therapeutics by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 100 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC acquired a new position in United Therapeutics in the 1st quarter valued at about $49,000. State of Wyoming acquired a new position in United Therapeutics in the 4th quarter valued at about $62,000. Curat Global LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Therapeutics during the first quarter worth about $63,000. Finally, Natixis acquired a new position in shares of United Therapeutics during the fourth quarter worth about $85,000. 94.08% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Therapeutics Stock Performance

Shares of UTHR stock traded up $1.07 during trading on Friday, hitting $313.13. The company had a trading volume of 703,795 shares, compared to its average volume of 683,031. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.74 and a beta of 0.57. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $295.00 and its 200 day moving average price is $308.79. United Therapeutics Corporation has a one year low of $266.98 and a one year high of $417.82.

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The biotechnology company reported $6.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $6.80 by ($0.39). The company had revenue of $798.60 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $802.13 million. United Therapeutics had a return on equity of 18.73% and a net margin of 40.36%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $5.85 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that United Therapeutics Corporation will post 24.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. HC Wainwright set a $400.00 price target on United Therapeutics and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of United Therapeutics from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of United Therapeutics from $350.00 to $330.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on United Therapeutics from $348.00 to $328.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on United Therapeutics from $314.00 to $295.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $382.00.

Insider Activity at United Therapeutics

In other news, Director Richard Giltner sold 3,036 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.60, for a total transaction of $879,225.60. Following the transaction, the director owned 19,384 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,613,606.40. This represents a 13.54% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Nilda Mesa sold 645 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.99, for a total transaction of $187,043.55. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 4,883 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,416,021.17. This trade represents a 11.67% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 81,681 shares of company stock worth $24,618,359 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 10.30% of the company's stock.

United Therapeutics Profile

United Therapeutics Corporation, a biotechnology company, engages in the development and commercialization of products to address the unmet medical needs of patients with chronic and life-threatening diseases in the United States and internationally. The company offers Tyvaso DPI, an inhaled dry powder via pre-filled and single-use cartridges; Tyvaso, an inhaled solution via ultrasonic nebulizer; Remodulin (treprostinil) injection to treat patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to diminish symptoms associated with exercise; Orenitram, a tablet dosage form of treprostinil, to delay disease progression and improve exercise capacity in PAH patients; and Adcirca, an oral PDE-5 inhibitor to enhance the exercise ability in PAH patients.