Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZVRA) is Velan Capital Investment Management LP's 9th Largest Position

Velan Capital Investment Management LP increased its stake in shares of Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZVRA - Free Report) by 50.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 300,000 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 100,000 shares during the quarter. Zevra Therapeutics comprises approximately 2.2% of Velan Capital Investment Management LP's investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th biggest holding. Velan Capital Investment Management LP owned 0.56% of Zevra Therapeutics worth $2,502,000 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. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. lifted its position in Zevra Therapeutics by 462.4% during the fourth quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 3,650,000 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,441,000 after purchasing an additional 3,001,000 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Zevra Therapeutics by 2.5% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,824,212 shares of the company's stock valued at $23,554,000 after purchasing an additional 68,151 shares during the period. Altium Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Zevra Therapeutics by 8.8% in the fourth quarter. Altium Capital Management LLC now owns 1,850,000 shares of the company's stock worth $15,429,000 after acquiring an additional 150,000 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Zevra Therapeutics by 13.8% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,188,120 shares of the company's stock worth $9,912,000 after acquiring an additional 144,256 shares during the period. Finally, AIGH Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Zevra Therapeutics in the fourth quarter worth about $6,577,000. 35.03% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director John B. Bode acquired 10,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 19th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $7.96 per share, with a total value of $79,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 40,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $318,400. This represents a 33.33% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 2.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Zevra Therapeutics Stock Performance

Zevra Therapeutics stock traded up $0.08 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $8.65. 375,522 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 643,411. Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. has a 12-month low of $4.20 and a 12-month high of $9.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 2.88 and a current ratio of 2.88. The stock has a market cap of $472.98 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.39 and a beta of 1.87. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $7.59 and its 200 day simple moving average is $8.09.

Zevra Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ZVRA - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 13th. The company reported ($0.06) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.21) by $0.15. Zevra Therapeutics had a negative net margin of 342.63% and a negative return on equity of 159.54%. The business had revenue of $20.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.96 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned ($0.40) earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. will post -1.95 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Guggenheim upped their price objective on shares of Zevra Therapeutics from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their price objective on shares of Zevra Therapeutics from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. HC Wainwright reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $20.00 price objective on shares of Zevra Therapeutics in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. JMP Securities set a $18.00 price objective on shares of Zevra Therapeutics in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $25.00 target price on shares of Zevra Therapeutics in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $22.29.

About Zevra Therapeutics

Zevra Therapeutics, Inc discovers and develops various proprietary prodrugs to treat serious medical conditions in the United States. The company develops its products through Ligand Activated Therapy platform. Its lead product candidate is KP1077, consisting of KP1077IH, which is under Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of idiopathic hypersomnia, and KP1077N, which is under Phase ½ clinical trial to treat narcolepsy.