Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ:LUNR) Trading 4.6% Higher - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Shares were up 4.6% on Friday, trading as high as $18.52 and last at $18.49, on volume of ~2.23M shares — roughly an 80% decline from the stock's average daily volume.
• Insiders sold heavily: CEO Stephen Altemus sold 1.96M shares (a 65.61% drop in his ownership) and SVP Timothy Crain sold 200k shares; insiders disposed of 3.69M shares (~$62.24M) in the past quarter.
• Analyst views are mixed but mildly positive with an average rating of "Moderate Buy" (9 Buys, 3 Holds, 2 Sells) and an average target of $17.27; the company has a market cap of $3.27B and 50-/200-day SMAs of $18.25 / $13.25.

Shares of Intuitive Machines, Inc. (NASDAQ:LUNR - Get Free Report) were up 4.6% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $18.52 and last traded at $18.49. Approximately 2,226,204 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 80% from the average daily volume of 10,876,781 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.67.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an "overweight" rating on shares of Intuitive Machines in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Intuitive Machines in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus set a $20.00 price target on Intuitive Machines and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, January 9th. Bank of America upped their price objective on Intuitive Machines from $8.50 to $9.50 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price objective on Intuitive Machines from $15.50 to $22.50 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $17.27.

Intuitive Machines Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of $3.27 billion, a P/E ratio of -7.35 and a beta of 1.40. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $18.25 and a 200-day simple moving average of $13.25.

Insider Buying and Selling at Intuitive Machines

In other Intuitive Machines news, CEO Stephen J. Altemus sold 1,958,593 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.77, for a total value of $30,887,011.61. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,026,402 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,186,359.54. This trade represents a 65.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Timothy Price Crain II sold 200,000 shares of Intuitive Machines stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.04, for a total value of $3,208,000.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 298,435 shares in the company, valued at $4,786,897.40. The trade was a 40.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 3,689,913 shares of company stock valued at $62,240,781 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 39.75% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LUNR. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Intuitive Machines during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Intuitive Machines by 180.0% during the 2nd quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,800 shares of the company's stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 1,800 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in shares of Intuitive Machines by 41.5% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,661 shares of the company's stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 781 shares during the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Intuitive Machines by 63.2% in the fourth quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 2,623 shares of the company's stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 1,016 shares during the period. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Intuitive Machines by 35.6% in the second quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,292 shares of the company's stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 1,127 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 72.21% of the company's stock.

About Intuitive Machines

Intuitive Machines is a Houston, Texas–based aerospace company specializing in commercial lunar exploration and services. The firm develops end-to-end solutions for robotic missions to the Moon, providing spacecraft design, mission management, navigation, communications, and data services under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.

Founded in 2013 by aerospace engineers Steve Altemus, Tim Crain and Kris Kimel, Intuitive Machines has grown from a small startup into one of the leading private entities pursuing lunar surface deliveries.

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