Rhumbline Advisers Trims Stock Holdings in United Therapeutics Co. (NASDAQ:UTHR)

Rhumbline Advisers trimmed its stake in shares of United Therapeutics Co. (NASDAQ:UTHR - Free Report) by 1.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 124,900 shares of the biotechnology company's stock after selling 1,438 shares during the quarter. Rhumbline Advisers owned approximately 0.28% of United Therapeutics worth $38,503,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Therapeutics by 29,415.2% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 221,954 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $68,422,000 after buying an additional 221,202 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its position in United Therapeutics by 15.8% in the fourth quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 5,643 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $1,991,000 after purchasing an additional 769 shares during the last quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Therapeutics by 1.5% during the fourth quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 5,598 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $1,975,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ bought a new stake in shares of United Therapeutics during the fourth quarter worth about $4,778,000. Finally, Siemens Fonds Invest GmbH acquired a new position in shares of United Therapeutics in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $162,000. 94.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at United Therapeutics

In related news, Director Raymond Dwek sold 4,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.55, for a total value of $1,138,200.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 1,750 shares in the company, valued at approximately $497,962.50. This represents a 69.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Paul A. Mahon sold 11,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $316.07, for a total value of $3,476,770.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 36,781 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $11,625,370.67. This trade represents a 23.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 56,500 shares of company stock worth $16,923,950. 10.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

United Therapeutics Stock Up 1.9%

UTHR stock traded up $6.11 during trading on Friday, reaching $325.82. The stock had a trading volume of 317,040 shares, compared to its average volume of 439,569. The company has a market capitalization of $14.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.31, a P/E/G ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 0.58. United Therapeutics Co. has a one year low of $266.98 and a one year high of $417.82. The company's 50 day moving average is $300.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $333.82.

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The biotechnology company reported $6.63 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $6.29 by $0.34. United Therapeutics had a return on equity of 19.22% and a net margin of 40.31%. The company had revenue of $794.40 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $726.82 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $6.17 earnings per share. United Therapeutics's revenue was up 17.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that United Therapeutics Co. will post 24.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. HC Wainwright reissued a "buy" rating and set a $425.00 target price on shares of United Therapeutics in a report on Monday, May 5th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of United Therapeutics from $346.00 to $348.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. Wall Street Zen downgraded United Therapeutics from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on United Therapeutics from $355.00 to $350.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 1st. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on United Therapeutics in a research report on Monday. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $405.00 price target on the stock. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $393.00.

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.