15,000 Shares in Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX) Acquired by Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC

Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm purchased 15,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,048,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NBIX. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,119,641 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,381,331,000 after acquiring an additional 122,681 shares in the last quarter. Dodge & Cox lifted its stake in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences by 134.2% in the fourth quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 3,016,425 shares of the company's stock worth $411,742,000 after acquiring an additional 1,728,605 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Neurocrine Biosciences by 2.9% in the fourth quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,896,891 shares of the company's stock valued at $258,926,000 after purchasing an additional 53,610 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Neurocrine Biosciences by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,875,062 shares of the company's stock valued at $255,523,000 after purchasing an additional 15,830 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences by 102.9% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,457,425 shares of the company's stock valued at $198,939,000 after purchasing an additional 739,199 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.59% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director William H. Rastetter sold 30,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.20, for a total value of $3,306,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 37,491 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,131,508.20. This represents a 44.45% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 4.80% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. William Blair reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Neurocrine Biosciences in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price objective on shares of Neurocrine Biosciences from $158.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Needham & Company LLC boosted their target price on shares of Neurocrine Biosciences from $138.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Wedbush restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Neurocrine Biosciences in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Neurocrine Biosciences from $137.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Neurocrine Biosciences presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $162.00.

Neurocrine Biosciences Stock Performance

Shares of NBIX traded up $0.39 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $121.41. 153,429 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,125,623. The business's 50-day moving average price is $107.02 and its 200-day moving average price is $121.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 0.26. Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. has a 12 month low of $84.23 and a 12 month high of $157.98.

Neurocrine Biosciences (NASDAQ:NBIX - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, May 5th. The company reported $0.08 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.70 by ($0.62). Neurocrine Biosciences had a net margin of 14.49% and a return on equity of 13.38%. The business had revenue of $572.60 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $587.06 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.20 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. will post 4.28 EPS for the current year.

Neurocrine Biosciences declared that its board has approved a stock buyback plan on Friday, February 21st that authorizes the company to buyback $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to reacquire up to 4.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally an indication that the company's management believes its shares are undervalued.

About Neurocrine Biosciences

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc discovers, develops, and markets pharmaceuticals for neurological, neuroendocrine, and neuropsychiatric disorders in the United States and internationally. The company's products include INGREZZA for tardive dyskinesia and chorea associated with Huntington's disease; ALKINDI for adrenal insufficiency; Efmody capsules for classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia; Orilissa tablets for endometriosis; and Oriahnn capsules to treat uterine fibroids.