Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND) Projected to Post Earnings on Thursday

Key Points

• Ligand is expected to report Q1 2026 results before the market opens on May 14, with analysts forecasting EPS of $1.84 and revenue of about $59.1 million, and the company guiding FY 2026 EPS of $8.00–$9.00.
• In the prior quarter (reported Feb. 26) Ligand beat estimates with $2.02 EPS versus $1.46 expected and revenue of $59.67 million, representing a 39.5% year‑over‑year revenue increase.
• Analyst sentiment is largely positive (average price target $256.29, seven Buys and one Hold), while insiders sold roughly 35,448 shares (~$7.45M) recently and institutions own about 91% of the stock.

Ligand Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:LGND - Get Free Report) will likely be announcing its Q1 2026 results before the market opens on Thursday, May 14th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $1.84 per share and revenue of $59.0990 million for the quarter. Ligand Pharmaceuticals has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.000-9.000 EPS. Individuals can check the company's upcoming Q1 2026 earning summary page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 8:30 AM ET.

Ligand Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:LGND - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The biotechnology company reported $2.02 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.56. Ligand Pharmaceuticals had a return on equity of 13.86% and a net margin of 46.42%.The company had revenue of $59.67 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $55.59 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.27 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 39.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect Ligand Pharmaceuticals to post $6 EPS for the current fiscal year and $7 EPS for the next fiscal year.

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Stock Up 0.1%

NASDAQ LGND opened at $232.55 on Thursday. The stock's 50 day moving average is $211.74 and its 200 day moving average is $200.35. The company has a current ratio of 22.23, a quick ratio of 21.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. Ligand Pharmaceuticals has a 12 month low of $98.89 and a 12 month high of $247.38. The stock has a market cap of $4.66 billion, a PE ratio of 39.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.20.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Wall Street Zen cut Ligand Pharmaceuticals from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, March 7th. HC Wainwright increased their price target on Ligand Pharmaceuticals from $243.00 to $289.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Ligand Pharmaceuticals from $276.00 to $282.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 15th. Bank of America initiated coverage on Ligand Pharmaceuticals in a report on Wednesday, March 11th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $244.00 price target for the company. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on Ligand Pharmaceuticals from $235.00 to $252.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $256.29.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Stephen L. Sabba sold 1,000 shares of Ligand Pharmaceuticals stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $207.87, for a total transaction of $207,870.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 32,793 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,816,680.91. The trade was a 2.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director John W. Kozarich sold 467 shares of Ligand Pharmaceuticals stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $202.23, for a total value of $94,441.41. Following the sale, the director directly owned 42,253 shares of the company's stock, valued at $8,544,824.19. This trade represents a 1.09% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 35,448 shares of company stock worth $7,450,977 in the last three months. Insiders own 7.00% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Royal Bank of Canada increased its position in shares of Ligand Pharmaceuticals by 25.8% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 6,120 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $644,000 after buying an additional 1,256 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ligand Pharmaceuticals in the 1st quarter valued at $344,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its stake in Ligand Pharmaceuticals by 8.2% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 10,660 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $1,121,000 after acquiring an additional 809 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its stake in Ligand Pharmaceuticals by 9.8% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 55,327 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $5,817,000 after acquiring an additional 4,926 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC lifted its stake in Ligand Pharmaceuticals by 176.2% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 36,922 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $3,882,000 after acquiring an additional 23,553 shares in the last quarter. 91.28% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Ligand Pharmaceuticals

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc is a biopharmaceutical company that acquires, develops and out-licenses proprietary technologies designed to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies discover and develop novel medicines. Operating primarily through its research services and royalty-generating businesses, Ligand focuses on building a diversified portfolio of technology platforms and partnering with industry leaders to advance therapeutic candidates across multiple disease areas.

The company's product offerings center around several core platforms.

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