Septerna (NASDAQ:SEPN) Hits New 1-Year High - Still a Buy?

Key Points

• Septerna shares reached a new 52-week high of $40.65 before trading around $38.26, with the stock’s 50-day and 200-day moving averages at $34.40 and $29.02, respectively.
• Analyst sentiment is generally positive, with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $45.89; targets range from $40 to $53, although one firm maintains a sell rating.
• Septerna exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting a loss of $0.19 per share versus the expected $0.42 loss and revenue of $26.52 million versus the $16.98 million estimate. However, the clinical-stage biotech remains unprofitable, with a negative net margin of 49.88%.

Septerna, Inc. (NASDAQ:SEPN - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $40.65 and last traded at $38.2550, with a volume of 303743 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $38.83.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. Guggenheim lowered their price objective on Septerna from $52.00 to $45.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of Septerna from $35.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Septerna in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Raymond James Financial upped their price target on shares of Septerna from $47.00 to $53.00 and gave the company a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, June 8th. Finally, HC Wainwright reissued a "buy" rating and set a $40.00 price target on shares of Septerna in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Septerna has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $45.89.

Septerna Stock Down 2.5%

The firm's 50-day moving average is $34.40 and its 200-day moving average is $29.02. The company has a market cap of $1.74 billion, a PE ratio of -47.78 and a beta of 2.29.

Septerna (NASDAQ:SEPN - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 11th. The company reported ($0.19) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.42) by $0.23. The business had revenue of $26.52 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.98 million. Septerna had a negative net margin of 49.88% and a negative return on equity of 12.72%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Septerna, Inc. will post -1.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Samira Shaikhly sold 11,798 shares of Septerna stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.06, for a total transaction of $354,647.88. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 793 shares in the company, valued at $23,837.58. The trade was a 93.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Daniel D. Long sold 15,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction 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 completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 96,412 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,423,590.12. The trade was a 13.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 47,828 shares of company stock valued at $1,584,314. 5.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Septerna

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its holdings in shares of Septerna by 5.3% during the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 14,879 shares of the company's stock valued at $415,000 after purchasing an additional 744 shares during the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Septerna in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of Septerna by 15.0% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 10,101 shares of the company's stock worth $107,000 after buying an additional 1,315 shares during the last quarter. PharVision Advisers LLC increased its position in Septerna by 17.5% during the 3rd quarter. PharVision Advisers LLC now owns 11,932 shares of the company's stock valued at $224,000 after buying an additional 1,780 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC increased its position in Septerna by 7.7% during the 4th quarter. Nuveen LLC now owns 25,798 shares of the company's stock valued at $719,000 after buying an additional 1,837 shares in 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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