uniQure (NASDAQ:QURE) Reaches New 52-Week High - Still a Buy?

Key Points

• uniQure's stock reached a new 52-week high at $59.83 during trading, closing at $59.40 with 8.1 million shares traded.
• Wall Street analysts have varying ratings with the consensus being a "Buy" and an average price target of $67.17, showcasing optimism in the company's future growth prospects.
• CEO Matthew C. Kapusta sold 226,316 shares for over $9 million, marking a 25.78% decrease in his position, while insider trading activity raises caution among investors.

uniQure N.V. (NASDAQ:QURE - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $59.83 and last traded at $59.40, with a volume of 8087824 shares. The stock had previously closed at $54.31.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on QURE shares. HC Wainwright reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $70.00 price objective on shares of uniQure in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of uniQure from $13.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their price objective on shares of uniQure from $47.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of uniQure in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Finally, Chardan Capital increased their price objective on shares of uniQure from $35.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $67.17.

uniQure Trading Up 9.4%

The business's 50 day moving average price is $18.33 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $15.23. The company has a current ratio of 9.98, a quick ratio of 9.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The company has a market capitalization of $3.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -15.15 and a beta of 0.13.

uniQure (NASDAQ:QURE - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The biotechnology company reported ($0.69) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.89) by $0.20. uniQure had a negative net margin of 1,387.98% and a negative return on equity of 1,010.74%. The company had revenue of $5.26 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.00 million. On average, equities analysts predict that uniQure N.V. will post -3.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Matthew C. Kapusta sold 226,316 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.46, for a total value of $9,383,061.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 651,454 shares in the company, valued at $27,009,282.84. This trade represents a 25.78% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Christian Klemt sold 15,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.00, for a total transaction of $825,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 217,730 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $11,975,150. This trade represents a 6.45% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 244,316 shares of company stock valued at $10,328,181. 4.79% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its holdings in uniQure by 358.0% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 7,085 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $99,000 after buying an additional 5,538 shares during the last quarter. Mraz Amerine & Associates Inc. bought a new position in uniQure during the 1st quarter worth approximately $106,000. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new position in uniQure during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $117,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas bought a new position in uniQure during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $151,000. Finally, OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp bought a new position in uniQure during the 1st quarter worth approximately $152,000. Institutional investors own 78.83% of the company's stock.

About uniQure

uniQure N.V. develops treatments for patients suffering from rare and other devastating diseases. It offers HEMGENIX that has completed Phase III HOPE-B pivotal trial for the treatment of hemophilia B. The company also develops AMT-130, a gene therapy that is in Phase I/II clinical study for the treatment of Huntington's disease.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.