Ruffer LLP Boosts Stock Holdings in United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR)

Key Points

• Ruffer LLP has increased its stake in United Therapeutics Corporation by 25.5%, owning 14,374 shares worth approximately $4.43 million after purchasing an additional 2,925 shares during the first quarter.
• Company insiders have sold a total of 70,681 shares worth about $21.3 million in the last ninety days, representing a decrease in their ownership for several directors.
• United Therapeutics stock has seen recent price targets set between $315.00 and $400.00 by various analysts, indicating mixed outlooks but overall a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy."

Ruffer LLP boosted its holdings in United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR - Free Report) by 25.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,374 shares of the biotechnology company's stock after buying an additional 2,925 shares during the quarter. Ruffer LLP's holdings in United Therapeutics were worth $4,431,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allianz Asset Management GmbH grew its position in United Therapeutics by 96.9% during the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 67,576 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $20,832,000 after acquiring an additional 33,254 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Therapeutics by 30.4% during the fourth quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 11,588 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $4,098,000 after purchasing an additional 2,702 shares during the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of United Therapeutics by 11.4% in the first quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 3,678 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $1,129,000 after buying an additional 376 shares during the period. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in United Therapeutics in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $227,000. Finally, Nepsis Inc. boosted its position in United Therapeutics by 6.7% during the 1st quarter. Nepsis Inc. now owns 58,574 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $18,057,000 after buying an additional 3,653 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 94.08% of the company's stock.

United Therapeutics Stock Up 4.2%

NASDAQ:UTHR traded up $12.16 on Tuesday, hitting $304.81. The stock had a trading volume of 1,142,273 shares, compared to its average volume of 560,610. United Therapeutics Corporation has a 52 week low of $266.98 and a 52 week high of $417.82. The business's fifty day moving average is $297.62 and its 200 day moving average is $312.36. The company has a market cap of $13.75 billion, a PE ratio of 11.90, a P/E/G ratio of 4.43 and a beta of 0.57.

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The biotechnology company reported $6.41 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $6.80 by ($0.39). The firm 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%. United Therapeutics's revenue for the quarter was up 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $5.85 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that United Therapeutics Corporation will post 24.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Therapeutics

In related news, Director Nilda Mesa sold 645 shares of the firm's 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 transaction, the director directly owned 4,883 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,416,021.17. This trade represents a 11.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Richard Giltner sold 3,036 shares of United Therapeutics stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $289.60, for a total transaction of $879,225.60. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 19,384 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,613,606.40. This represents a 13.54% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 70,681 shares of company stock valued at $21,318,359. Insiders own 10.30% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently issued reports on UTHR. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on shares of United Therapeutics in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. They set an "overweight" rating and a $405.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley lowered 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. Wall Street Zen cut United Therapeutics from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on United Therapeutics from $350.00 to $330.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of 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 equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $379.69.

United Therapeutics Company 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.