Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZVRA) Given Average Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Key Points

• Analyst consensus: Nine analysts rate Zevra Therapeutics an average of "Moderate Buy" (7 buys, 2 holds) with a 12‑month average price target of $23.00.
• Insider selling: CEO Neil McFarlane sold 91,000 shares (at $9.38) and another insider sold 10,500 shares, with insiders selling 114,158 shares (~$1.06M) last quarter and now owning 2.40% of the stock.
• Institutional and valuation profile: Institutional investors own 35.03% after several firms added or initiated positions; the stock trades near $9.23 with a market cap of ~$542M, P/E of 6.94, and a 52‑week range of $6.19–$13.16.

Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZVRA - Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the nine analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seven have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $23.00.

A number of brokerages have issued reports on ZVRA. Weiss Ratings raised Zevra Therapeutics from a "sell (d+)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 10th. HC Wainwright set a $26.00 target price on shares of Zevra Therapeutics in a research report on Tuesday, December 30th. BTIG Research initiated coverage on shares of Zevra Therapeutics in a report on Monday, March 16th. They set a "buy" rating and a $23.00 price target for the company. Guggenheim set a $23.00 price target on shares of Zevra Therapeutics and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 10th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Zevra Therapeutics from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, March 14th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Neil F. Mcfarlane sold 91,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.38, for a total transaction of $853,580.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 364,350 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,417,603. This trade represents a 19.98% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Joshua Schafer sold 10,500 shares of Zevra Therapeutics stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.19, for a total value of $96,495.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 62,278 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $572,334.82. The trade was a 14.43% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 114,158 shares of company stock valued at $1,062,878 over the last quarter. 2.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Zevra Therapeutics

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Royce & Associates LP bought a new position in shares of Zevra Therapeutics in the third quarter valued at about $6,574,000. Stonepine Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Zevra Therapeutics by 19.3% during the 2nd quarter. Stonepine Capital Management LLC now owns 775,620 shares of the company's stock worth $6,833,000 after acquiring an additional 125,620 shares during the last quarter. Kingdon Capital Management L.L.C. increased its position in Zevra Therapeutics by 44.4% in the 3rd quarter. Kingdon Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 650,000 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,182,000 after acquiring an additional 200,000 shares in the last quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group acquired a new stake in Zevra Therapeutics in the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,779,000. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc raised its stake in shares of Zevra Therapeutics by 26.8% in the second quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 935,677 shares of the company's stock worth $8,243,000 after acquiring an additional 197,940 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 35.03% of the company's stock.

Zevra Therapeutics Price Performance

Shares of ZVRA stock opened at $9.23 on Friday. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $9.05 and its 200 day simple moving average is $9.11. Zevra Therapeutics has a one year low of $6.19 and a one year high of $13.16. The firm has a market cap of $541.89 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.94 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 5.68 and a quick ratio of 5.63.

Zevra Therapeutics Company Profile

Zevra Therapeutics, Inc discovers and develops various proprietary prodrugs to treat serious medical conditions in the United States. The company develops its products through Ligand Activated Therapy platform. Its lead product candidate is KP1077, consisting of KP1077IH, which is under Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of idiopathic hypersomnia, and KP1077N, which is under Phase ½ clinical trial to treat narcolepsy. The company is also developing Celiprolol, a prodrug product candidate that is under Phase 1/2 clinical trial for the treatment of vascular Ehlers Danlos syndrome.

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