Access Investment Management LLC Takes $668,000 Position in United Therapeutics Co. (NASDAQ:UTHR)

Access Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in United Therapeutics Co. (NASDAQ:UTHR - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 3,040 shares of the biotechnology company's stock, valued at approximately $668,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale increased its position in shares of United Therapeutics by 54.4% during the fourth quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 94,643 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $20,617,000 after acquiring an additional 33,338 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its holdings in United Therapeutics by 155.2% during the 4th quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 38,698 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $8,427,000 after purchasing an additional 23,532 shares in the last quarter. Duality Advisers LP raised its stake in shares of United Therapeutics by 56.1% in the fourth quarter. Duality Advisers LP now owns 15,642 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $3,440,000 after purchasing an additional 5,622 shares during the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System bought a new position in shares of United Therapeutics in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $2,903,000. Finally, O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of United Therapeutics by 4.9% in the third quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 2,300 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $520,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.08% of the company's stock.

United Therapeutics Stock Performance

Shares of UTHR stock traded down $1.78 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $264.27. 391,702 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 578,697. The company has a current ratio of 3.77, a quick ratio of 3.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.50 and a beta of 0.54. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $240.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of $230.65. United Therapeutics Co. has a 52-week low of $204.44 and a 52-week high of $269.81.

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 1st. The biotechnology company reported $6.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $5.63 by $0.54. United Therapeutics had a return on equity of 18.72% and a net margin of 42.05%. The business had revenue of $677.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $620.31 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $4.86 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 33.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that United Therapeutics Co. will post 24.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently commented on UTHR. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on United Therapeutics from $218.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, May 3rd. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $300.00 price objective on shares of United Therapeutics in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. Wedbush reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $308.00 price objective on shares of United Therapeutics in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on United Therapeutics from $309.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 7th. Finally, Oppenheimer upped their target price on United Therapeutics from $375.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, May 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $308.78.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Nilda Mesa sold 325 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $237.80, for a total value of $77,285.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,373 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,277,699.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Director Nilda Mesa sold 325 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $237.80, for a total transaction of $77,285.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 5,373 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,277,699.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Martine A. Rothblatt sold 15,000 shares of United Therapeutics stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $236.59, for a total value of $3,548,850.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 130 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $30,756.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 151,230 shares of company stock valued at $36,040,995. 12.50% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About United Therapeutics

United Therapeutics Corporation, a biotechnology company, engages in the development and commercialization of products to address the unmet medical needs of patients with chronic and life-threatening diseases in the United States and internationally. The company offers Tyvaso DPI, an inhaled dry powder via pre-filled and single-use cartridges; Tyvaso, an inhaled solution via ultrasonic nebulizer; Remodulin (treprostinil) injection to treat patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to diminish symptoms associated with exercise; Orenitram, a tablet dosage form of treprostinil, to delay disease progression and improve exercise capacity in PAH patients; and Adcirca, an oral PDE-5 inhibitor to enhance the exercise ability in PAH patients.