QuantumScape Corporation (NYSE:QS) Given Average Recommendation of "Reduce" by Brokerages

Key Points

• Analyst consensus "Reduce": Nine analysts covering QuantumScape have an average recommendation of "Reduce" (3 sell, 6 hold) with a 12‑month average price target of about $8.98.
• Significant insider selling: CTO Timothy Holme and CFO Kevin Hettrich recently sold shares, and insiders disposed of 716,956 shares worth $6.05M in the past 90 days, leaving insiders with 5.48% ownership.
• The stock trades near $5.96 and the company remains unprofitable—quarterly EPS missed at ($0.17) and analysts project about -0.82 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Shares of QuantumScape Corporation (NYSE:QS - Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of "Reduce" from the nine ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have issued a hold rating on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $8.9750.

Several equities research analysts have commented on QS shares. TD Cowen reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of QuantumScape in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of QuantumScape from $12.00 to $8.50 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Robert W. Baird set a $12.00 target price on shares of QuantumScape in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, HSBC raised shares of QuantumScape from a "reduce" rating to a "hold" rating and cut their target price for the company from $10.50 to $8.30 in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CTO Timothy Holme sold 127,077 shares of QuantumScape stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.86, for a total value of $871,748.22. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer directly owned 1,108,182 shares in the company, valued at $7,602,128.52. The trade was a 10.29% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Kevin Hettrich sold 9,800 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.76, for a total value of $66,248.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 1,358,079 shares in the company, valued at $9,180,614.04. This trade represents a 0.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 716,956 shares of company stock valued at $6,052,249. 5.48% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of QuantumScape

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of QS. Tsfg LLC boosted its stake in shares of QuantumScape by 233.3% during the 3rd quarter. Tsfg LLC now owns 2,000 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 1,400 shares during the period. REAP Financial Group LLC increased its stake in shares of QuantumScape by 300.0% in the third quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 2,000 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 1,500 shares during the last quarter. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of QuantumScape during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its position in QuantumScape by 685.5% during the second quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 3,794 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 3,311 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its position in QuantumScape by 538.7% during the third quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 2,312 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,950 shares during the last quarter. 29.87% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

QuantumScape Stock Performance

QS opened at $5.96 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $7.78 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $11.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 21.14 and a quick ratio of 21.14. The company has a market capitalization of $3.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.36 and a beta of 2.51. QuantumScape has a 1-year low of $3.40 and a 1-year high of $19.07.

QuantumScape (NYSE:QS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported ($0.17) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.16) by ($0.01). The business's quarterly revenue was up .0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned ($0.22) earnings per share. Research analysts predict that QuantumScape will post -0.82 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About QuantumScape

QuantumScape Corporation is a development-stage company specializing in the research and commercialization of next-generation solid-state lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles. The company's core technology replaces the traditional liquid electrolyte with a solid ceramic separator, aiming to deliver higher energy density, faster charging times and enhanced safety compared to conventional lithium-ion cells. QuantumScape's product roadmap focuses on enabling electric vehicle manufacturers to extend driving range and reduce charging downtime, addressing key barriers to widespread EV adoption.

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in San Jose, California, QuantumScape has attracted significant strategic investment and formed partnerships with leading automotive OEMs.

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