United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR) Sets New 1-Year High - Still a Buy?

Key Points

• United Therapeutics shares reached a new 52-week high of $444.57, with current trading at $441.81 and significant volume of 559,193 shares.
• Several analysts have revised their price targets for United Therapeutics, with Wells Fargo setting a target of $414 and UBS raising theirs to $580, reflecting a positive outlook with the consensus rating of "Moderate Buy."
• The company reported quarterly earnings of $6.41 per share, which fell short of analysts' expectations, alongside revenues of $798.6 million, showing an 11.7% year-over-year increase.

United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $444.57 and last traded at $441.81, with a volume of 559193 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $438.18.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on United Therapeutics from $295.00 to $414.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd. UBS Group boosted their price objective on United Therapeutics from $560.00 to $580.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on United Therapeutics from $350.00 to $330.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada initiated coverage on United Therapeutics in a report on Friday, September 26th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $569.00 target price for the company. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upped their target price on United Therapeutics from $405.00 to $525.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, United Therapeutics presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $449.57.

United Therapeutics Stock Up 1.0%

The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $350.60 and a 200 day simple moving average of $317.22. The company has a market capitalization of $19.97 billion, a PE ratio of 17.28, a PEG ratio of 6.39 and a beta of 0.66.

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The biotechnology company reported $6.41 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $6.80 by ($0.39). The firm had revenue of $798.60 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $802.13 million. United Therapeutics had a net margin of 40.36% and a return on equity of 18.73%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $5.85 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that United Therapeutics Corporation will post 24.48 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at United Therapeutics

In other news, EVP Paul A. Mahon sold 11,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $308.75, for a total value of $3,396,250.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 36,781 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $11,356,133.75. This represents a 23.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, COO Michael Benkowitz sold 22,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $417.64, for a total value of $9,396,900.00. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 223,435 shares of company stock worth $86,811,362 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 10.30% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of United Therapeutics

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UTHR. Two Sigma Investments LP grew its holdings in United Therapeutics by 3.0% in the fourth quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 1,773 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $626,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in shares of United Therapeutics by 15.8% in the fourth quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 5,643 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $1,991,000 after acquiring an additional 769 shares in the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of United Therapeutics by 84.7% in the first quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,297 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $1,325,000 after acquiring an additional 1,970 shares in the last quarter. Curat Global LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Therapeutics in the first quarter valued at approximately $63,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. lifted its position in shares of United Therapeutics by 17.1% in the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 1,289 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $397,000 after acquiring an additional 188 shares in the last quarter. 94.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About United Therapeutics

United Therapeutics Corporation, a biotechnology company, engages in the development and commercialization of products to address the unmet medical needs of patients with chronic and life-threatening diseases in the United States and internationally. The company offers Tyvaso DPI, an inhaled dry powder via pre-filled and single-use cartridges; Tyvaso, an inhaled solution via ultrasonic nebulizer; Remodulin (treprostinil) injection to treat patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to diminish symptoms associated with exercise; Orenitram, a tablet dosage form of treprostinil, to delay disease progression and improve exercise capacity in PAH patients; and Adcirca, an oral PDE-5 inhibitor to enhance the exercise ability in PAH patients.

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