Q2 EPS Forecast for Nektar Therapeutics Reduced by Analyst

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research cut their Q2 2026 earnings estimates for Nektar Therapeutics in a report issued on Wednesday, February 18th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the biopharmaceutical company will post earnings of ($2.72) per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of ($2.63). The consensus estimate for Nektar Therapeutics’ current full-year earnings is ($0.72) per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Nektar Therapeutics’ Q3 2026 earnings at ($2.56) EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at ($4.11) EPS, FY2026 earnings at ($11.90) EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at ($3.15) EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at ($3.32) EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at ($3.17) EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at ($4.93) EPS and FY2027 earnings at ($14.57) EPS.

A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Piper Sandler reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $105.00 target price on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. They set a “buy” rating and a $102.00 price objective for the company. BTIG Research lifted their target price on shares of Nektar Therapeutics from $118.00 to $151.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. HC Wainwright boosted their target price on shares of Nektar Therapeutics from $135.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a report on Monday, December 29th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Nektar Therapeutics currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $119.86.

Nektar Therapeutics Price Performance

Shares of NKTR opened at $73.86 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $45.43 and a 200-day moving average of $48.01. The company has a market capitalization of $1.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.27 and a beta of 1.34. Nektar Therapeutics has a 1 year low of $6.45 and a 1 year high of $74.89.

Insider Buying and Selling at Nektar Therapeutics

In other news, CEO Howard W. Robin sold 2,207 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.28, for a total value of $119,795.96. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 54,245 shares in the company, valued at $2,944,418.60. This trade represents a 3.91% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Jonathan Zalevsky sold 3,867 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.67, for a total value of $137,935.89. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 21,354 shares in the company, valued at approximately $761,697.18. This trade represents a 15.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 7,861 shares of company stock valued at $354,730. Corporate insiders own 5.25% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nektar Therapeutics

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in NKTR. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Nektar Therapeutics by 336.9% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 3,640,851 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $2,463,000 after acquiring an additional 2,807,595 shares in the last quarter. Farallon Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics in the third quarter worth approximately $45,008,000. Two Seas Capital LP bought a new position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,506,000. Prosight Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $23,450,000. Finally, Two Sigma Investments LP grew its holdings in Nektar Therapeutics by 446.9% during the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 434,237 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $24,708,000 after buying an additional 354,842 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.88% of the company’s stock.

Key Nektar Therapeutics News

Here are the key news stories impacting Nektar Therapeutics this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised several FY and quarterly EPS forecasts (improving FY2026 and FY2027 loss estimates, and upward tweaks to multiple quarters), signaling modestly better near- to medium-term expectations for NKTR. MarketBeat: NKTR Analyst Note
• Positive Sentiment: Nektar and UCSF are collaborating to test TNFR2 agonism as a potential antibody therapy for multiple sclerosis — a meaningful pipeline expansion into a high‑need CNS indication that could improve long‑term value if clinical data advance. Nektar Therapeutics and UCSF explore TNFR2 agonism in MS
• Positive Sentiment: A recent Seeking Alpha piece is bullish on Nektar’s unique MOA and strong Alzheimer’s disease maintenance data, labeling the stock a “Strong Buy,” which can attract investor interest and momentum. Nektar Therapeutics: Unique MOA Translates To Stellar AD Maintenance Data, Strong Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: AAII published a comparative piece considering Nektar versus another biotech (Harmony Biosciences), which may bring additional retail/institutional attention but is not new company‑specific data. Which Is a Better Investment, Harmony Biosciences or Nektar?
• Negative Sentiment: Offsetting the positive revisions, Zacks slightly lowered some near‑term quarter forecasts (notably Q2 2026 and Q2 2027 EPS were nudged down), highlighting ongoing cash‑burn and variability in near‑term operating results that could pressure short‑term expectations. MarketBeat: NKTR Analyst Note

About Nektar Therapeutics

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing novel drug candidates through its proprietary chemistry and immunology platforms. The company focuses on polymer conjugate technology, which enables the creation of longer-acting versions of existing drugs, and on T-cell modulatory therapies aimed at harnessing the body’s immune system to treat cancer and other serious diseases.

Nektar’s product portfolio and pipeline include a range of clinical-stage and partnered programs.