Septerna (NASDAQ:SEPN) Trading Down 6.1% - Here's Why

Key Points

• Septerna shares fell 6.1% to about $45.27 in mid-day trading, with volume slightly above average. The company has a $2.13 billion market capitalization and elevated volatility, reflected in a beta of 2.29.
• Analyst sentiment remains positive overall, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $51.33. Recent targets range from $43 to $62, despite one analyst maintaining a sell rating.
• Septerna exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting a loss of $0.29 per share versus the $0.43 expected and revenue of $26.75 million versus $19.22 million forecast. However, insiders sold 47,828 shares worth approximately $1.58 million over the past quarter.

Septerna, Inc. (NASDAQ:SEPN - Get Free Report)'s stock price traded down 6.1% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $45.28 and last traded at $45.2740. Approximately 391,444 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 9% from the average session volume of 357,967 shares. The stock had previously closed at $48.19.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on SEPN shares. Raymond James Financial reiterated a "strong-buy" rating and set a $49.00 price objective on shares of Septerna in a research note on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Septerna in a report on Friday, July 17th. JonesTrading lifted their price target on shares of Septerna from $43.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Septerna from $35.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Finally, HC Wainwright upped their price objective on shares of Septerna from $40.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $51.33.

Septerna Stock Performance

The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $35.29 and a 200-day simple moving average of $29.40. The company has a market capitalization of $2.13 billion, a PE ratio of -84.55 and a beta of 2.29.

Septerna (NASDAQ:SEPN - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, August 10th. The company reported ($0.29) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.43) by $0.14. The company had revenue of $26.75 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $19.22 million. Septerna had a negative return on equity of 9.59% and a negative net margin of 24.51%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Septerna, Inc. will post -1.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Samira Shaikhly sold 11,798 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.06, for a total value of $354,647.88. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 793 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $23,837.58. The trade was a 93.70% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Daniel D. Long sold 15,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.51, for a total transaction of $532,650.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 96,412 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,423,590.12. The trade was a 13.46% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 47,828 shares of company stock worth $1,584,314 over the last quarter. 5.80% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Septerna

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Group One Trading LLC raised its stake in Septerna by 111.8% during the fourth quarter. Group One Trading LLC now owns 944 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 8,955 shares in the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Septerna in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Septerna in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Septerna in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Septerna during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $61,000.

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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