Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. Increases Holdings in United Therapeutics Corporation $UTHR

Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR) by 65.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 21,392 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock after buying an additional 8,446 shares during the quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd.’s holdings in United Therapeutics were worth $10,423,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Essex Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in United Therapeutics in the 4th quarter worth about $230,000. Forsta AP Fonden raised its position in United Therapeutics by 7.6% in the 4th quarter. Forsta AP Fonden now owns 8,500 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $4,142,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in United Therapeutics in the 4th quarter worth about $293,418,000. Eurizon Capital SGR S.p.A. purchased a new stake in United Therapeutics in the 4th quarter worth about $2,264,000. Finally, Fideuram Asset Management Ireland dac purchased a new stake in United Therapeutics in the 4th quarter worth about $473,000. 94.08% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Therapeutics Stock Down 0.8%

UTHR opened at $540.05 on Wednesday. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $566.86 and its two-hundred day moving average is $516.87. The company has a market capitalization of $22.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.94, a PEG ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 0.57. United Therapeutics Corporation has a 52 week low of $272.12 and a 52 week high of $609.35.

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The biotechnology company reported $5.82 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $7.00 by ($1.18). United Therapeutics had a return on equity of 19.24% and a net margin of 40.62%.The firm had revenue of $781.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $797.40 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $6.63 earnings per share. United Therapeutics’s quarterly revenue was down 1.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that United Therapeutics Corporation will post 26.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at United Therapeutics

In other United Therapeutics news, CFO James Edgemond sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $547.87, for a total transaction of $5,478,700.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 18,876 shares in the company, valued at $10,341,594.12. This represents a 34.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Paul A. Mahon sold 8,300 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $562.82, for a total transaction of $4,671,406.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 45,172 shares in the company, valued at $25,423,705.04. This trade represents a 15.52% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 614,043 shares of company stock worth $344,991,997 over the last three months. 8.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UTHR has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their price objective on shares of United Therapeutics from $525.00 to $625.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 12th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of United Therapeutics from $707.00 to $701.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 7th. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of United Therapeutics from $569.00 to $626.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of United Therapeutics in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of United Therapeutics from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $575.00 to $735.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 7th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Therapeutics presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $619.42.

United Therapeutics Company Profile

United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ: UTHR) is a biotechnology company dedicated to the development and commercialization of unique products to address life-threatening illnesses. The company’s primary focus has been on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), where it has launched several therapies designed to improve functional capacity and quality of life for patients. Its marketed products include continuous infusion treprostinil (Remodulin), inhaled treprostinil (Tyvaso), oral treprostinil (Orenitram) and tadalafil (Adcirca), each tailored to different modes of administration and patient needs.