United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR) CEO Martine Rothblatt Sells 9,500 Shares of Stock

Key Points

• CEO insider sale: Martine Rothblatt sold 9,500 United Therapeutics shares for approximately $5.48 million at an average price of $576.47, reducing her stake by 2.84% to 324,443 shares.
• Stock and outlook: Shares fell 5.2% to $541.70, despite the company beating quarterly EPS estimates; analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $621.
• Patent win supports Tyvaso: A federal court ruled that Liquidia’s Yutrepia infringes United Therapeutics patents, potentially limiting competition in the PH-ILD market, though appeals and regulatory decisions could delay the benefit.

United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR - Get Free Report) CEO Martine Rothblatt sold 9,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $576.47, for a total value of $5,476,465.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 324,443 shares in the company, valued at $187,031,656.21. The trade was a 2.84% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link.

United Therapeutics Stock Down 5.2%

Shares of United Therapeutics stock traded down $29.68 during trading on Friday, reaching $541.70. The company's stock had a trading volume of 945,686 shares, compared to its average volume of 540,539. The business's 50-day moving average price is $510.03 and its 200-day moving average price is $539.64. The firm has a market cap of $23.23 billion, a PE ratio of 19.38, a P/E/G ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.49. United Therapeutics Corporation has a 52 week low of $409.07 and a 52 week high of $609.35.

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 5th. The biotechnology company reported $7.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $6.86 by $0.41. United Therapeutics had a net margin of 41.56% and a return on equity of 20.18%. The firm had revenue of $783.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $804.65 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $6.41 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that United Therapeutics Corporation will post 26.21 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on UTHR shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on United Therapeutics from $685.00 to $687.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Bank of America dropped their price objective on United Therapeutics from $620.00 to $613.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 10th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of United Therapeutics in a report on Thursday. Morgan Stanley set a $515.00 target price on United Therapeutics in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered United Therapeutics from a "buy (b)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a report on Thursday, August 27th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $621.00.

United Therapeutics News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting United Therapeutics this week:

• Positive Sentiment: A Delaware federal court ruled that Liquidia’s Yutrepia infringes two United Therapeutics patents covering inhaled treprostinil for pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD). The court also rejected Liquidia’s arguments that the patents were invalid. United Therapeutics Prevails in Patent Litigation Against Liquidia
• Positive Sentiment: The ruling could limit Yutrepia’s use in the PH-ILD market and reduce near-term competitive pressure on United Therapeutics’ Tyvaso products. The company believes the decision may support an FDA action requiring Yutrepia labeling that excludes the disputed indication, potentially extending Tyvaso’s market protection and supporting future cash flow. UTHR Prevails in Liquidia Patent Dispute
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remains generally favorable, with several firms maintaining bullish ratings and price targets above recent trading levels. United Therapeutics also has an announced $2 billion share-repurchase authorization, which may provide additional support for earnings per share and shareholder returns.
• Neutral Sentiment: The commercial benefit is not yet certain. Liquidia could pursue further legal action or appeals, and regulatory steps involving Yutrepia will determine how quickly United Therapeutics can capitalize on the ruling. Analysts remain divided, with bullish views contrasting with at least one bearish rating and a much lower price target. Analysts Have Conflicting Sentiments on Healthcare Companies
• Negative Sentiment: Recent insider selling is a counterweight: CEO Martine Rothblatt sold a combined 9,500 shares, while EVP Paul Mahon sold 8,300 shares worth approximately $4.7 million. Although the sales may have been scheduled transactions, the absence of reported insider purchases could weigh modestly on sentiment. United Therapeutics Insider Selling

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Toth Financial Advisory Corp increased its stake in shares of United Therapeutics by 2,400.0% in the 2nd quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp now owns 50 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. Fiduciary Financial Advisors acquired a new position in shares of United Therapeutics during the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Caitlin John LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Therapeutics during the 2nd quarter worth $37,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of United Therapeutics by 426.7% during the 1st quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 79 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Therapeutics during the 2nd quarter worth $81,000. 94.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Therapeutics Company Profile

United Therapeutics Corporation is a biotechnology and pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and other serious cardiopulmonary conditions. The company's products include Tyvaso and Tyvaso DPI, inhaled formulations of treprostinil; Remodulin, an injectable form of treprostinil; Orenitram, an oral treprostinil product; and Adcirca, a tadalafil-based PAH treatment.

United Therapeutics markets its therapies primarily in the United States and internationally through commercial and regulatory activities in additional markets.

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