Septerna (NASDAQ:SEPN) Trading 4.8% Higher - Still a Buy?

Key Points

• Septerna shares rose 4.8% to about $39.16, although trading volume was 77% below the stock’s average daily volume.
• Analysts remain broadly optimistic, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $52.44; recent targets range from $48 to $60.
• The company exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting an adjusted loss of $0.29 per share versus estimates of $0.43 and revenue of $26.75 million versus $19.22 million expected. However, Septerna remains unprofitable, and insiders have sold 58,428 shares worth approximately $2.28 million over the past 90 days.

Shares of Septerna, Inc. (NASDAQ:SEPN - Get Free Report) shot up 4.8% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $39.19 and last traded at $39.1640. Approximately 82,861 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 77% from the average daily volume of 358,067 shares. The stock had previously closed at $37.37.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. HC Wainwright increased their price objective on shares of Septerna from $40.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Septerna from $38.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 19th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Septerna from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 12th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Septerna in a report on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a $49.00 price objective on Septerna in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $52.44.

Septerna Stock Performance

The stock's fifty day moving average is $37.56 and its two-hundred day moving average is $31.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -71.49 and a beta of 2.30.

Septerna (NASDAQ:SEPN - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 10th. The company reported ($0.29) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.43) by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $26.75 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.22 million. Septerna had a negative net margin of 24.51% and a negative return on equity of 9.57%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Septerna, Inc. will post -1.41 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Septerna

In other Septerna news, COO Elizabeth Bhatt sold 25,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.00, for a total transaction of $1,100,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer owned 174,209 shares in the company, valued at $7,665,196. This trade represents a 12.55% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Daniel Long sold 15,000 shares of Septerna stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.51, for a total value of $532,650.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 96,412 shares in the company, valued at $3,423,590.12. This represents a 13.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 58,428 shares of company stock valued at $2,284,054. Insiders own 5.80% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Septerna

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Group One Trading LLC raised its stake in shares of Septerna by 111.8% in the 4th quarter. Group One Trading LLC now owns 944 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 8,955 shares in the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Septerna during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. bought a new position in Septerna during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Septerna in the 4th quarter worth approximately $53,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its holdings in shares of Septerna by 88.0% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 4,155 shares of the company's stock valued at $78,000 after acquiring an additional 1,945 shares during the last quarter.

About Septerna

We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering a new era of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) oral small molecule drug discovery powered by our proprietary Native Complex Platform™. Our industrial-scale platform aims to unlock the full potential of GPCR therapies and has led to the discovery and development of our deep pipeline of product candidates focused initially on treating patients in three therapeutic areas: endocrinology, immunology and inflammation, and metabolic diseases. GPCRs are the largest and most diverse family of cell membrane receptors and regulate physiological processes in nearly every organ system of the human body.

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