Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTRA) Short Interest Update

Key Points

• Natera, Inc. experienced a 43.8% increase in short interest in September, totaling 5,450,000 shares, which equates to a days-to-cover ratio of 4.3 days based on its average daily trading volume.
• Insider selling activity was reported, with notable sales from Solomon Moshkevich and John Fesko, decreasing their positions by 0.25% and 0.22%, respectively, in transactions on October 21.
• Analysts have a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" for Natera, with an average price target of $196.81, and multiple firms have set price targets between $170.00 and $268.00.

Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTRA - Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totaling 5,450,000 shares, an increase of 43.8% from the September 15th total of 3,790,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,280,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.3 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,280,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.3 days.

Insider Buying and Selling at Natera

In related news, insider Solomon Moshkevich sold 292 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $187.95, for a total value of $54,881.40. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 117,267 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $22,040,332.65. This trade represents a 0.25% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider John Fesko sold 339 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $187.95, for a total value of $63,715.05. Following the sale, the insider owned 152,408 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $28,645,083.60. This trade represents a 0.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 70,276 shares of company stock valued at $10,794,948. 5.63% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Natera

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new position in Natera during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Hilltop National Bank purchased a new position in Natera in the second quarter worth $33,000. Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group acquired a new stake in shares of Natera in the second quarter valued at about $36,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its stake in Natera by 95.7% in the 3rd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 225 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TCTC Holdings LLC grew its stake in Natera by 114.8% in the 1st quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 232 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.90% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently commented on NTRA shares. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $268.00 price target on Natera and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Barclays reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $210.00 target price (up previously from $190.00) on shares of Natera in a report on Friday, August 8th. Canaccord Genuity Group reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $200.00 target price on shares of Natera in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $183.00 price target on shares of Natera in a research report on Friday, August 15th. Finally, Evercore ISI raised shares of Natera to a "strong-buy" rating and set a $170.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Monday, July 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Natera presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $196.81.

Natera Stock Performance

NTRA stock traded up $2.41 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $190.43. The company had a trading volume of 160,640 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,419,130. Natera has a fifty-two week low of $117.27 and a fifty-two week high of $196.63. The company has a market capitalization of $26.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -99.70 and a beta of 1.74. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $169.97 and a 200 day simple moving average of $159.37.

Natera (NASDAQ:NTRA - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The medical research company reported ($0.74) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.60) by ($0.14). The business had revenue of $546.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $476.84 million. Natera had a negative net margin of 12.89% and a negative return on equity of 22.22%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 32.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned ($0.30) EPS. Natera has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Natera will post -1.49 earnings per share for the current year.

About Natera

Natera, Inc, a diagnostics company, develops and commercializes molecular testing services worldwide. Its products include Panorama, a non-invasive prenatal test that screens for chromosomal abnormalities of a fetus, as well as in twin pregnancies; Horizon carrier screening test for individuals and couples determine if they are carriers of genetic variations that cause certain genetic conditions; Vistara single-gene NIPT screens for 25 single-gene disorders that cause severe skeletal, cardiac, and neurological conditions; Spectrum, preimplantation genetic tests for couples undergoing IVF; Anora that analyzes miscarriage tissue from women; Empower, a hereditary cancer screening test; and non-invasive prenatal paternity product, which allows a couple to establish paternity without waiting for the child to be born.

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