Ascendis Pharma A/S (NASDAQ:ASND) Stake Lifted by Rice Hall James & Associates LLC

Rice Hall James & Associates LLC grew its stake in shares of Ascendis Pharma A/S (NASDAQ:ASND - Free Report) by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 160,614 shares of the biotechnology company's stock after buying an additional 8,958 shares during the period. Ascendis Pharma A/S accounts for 1.3% of Rice Hall James & Associates LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. Rice Hall James & Associates LLC owned approximately 0.28% of Ascendis Pharma A/S worth $23,981,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in ASND. Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in Ascendis Pharma A/S by 13.2% during the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 686 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $102,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its position in Ascendis Pharma A/S by 61.0% during the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 876 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $132,000 after purchasing an additional 332 shares in the last quarter. Searle & CO. purchased a new position in Ascendis Pharma A/S in the second quarter valued at approximately $205,000. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in Ascendis Pharma A/S by 10.3% during the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 1,533 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $209,000 after buying an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in Ascendis Pharma A/S during the first quarter worth approximately $288,000.

Ascendis Pharma A/S Stock Performance

Shares of Ascendis Pharma A/S stock traded up $2.46 during trading on Friday, reaching $125.28. The company had a trading volume of 389,318 shares, compared to its average volume of 444,589. Ascendis Pharma A/S has a fifty-two week low of $86.54 and a fifty-two week high of $161.00. The firm's fifty day moving average is $133.42 and its 200-day moving average is $133.68. The company has a market cap of $7.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -13.46 and a beta of 0.64.

Ascendis Pharma A/S (NASDAQ:ASND - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, September 3rd. The biotechnology company reported ($2.05) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($1.54) by ($0.51). The business had revenue of $38.75 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $94.74 million. On average, research analysts anticipate that Ascendis Pharma A/S will post -7.24 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently weighed in on ASND shares. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Ascendis Pharma A/S from $175.00 to $191.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, September 23rd. Citigroup increased their target price on Ascendis Pharma A/S from $178.00 to $207.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 17th. Oppenheimer reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $190.00 price target (up from $180.00) on shares of Ascendis Pharma A/S in a research report on Tuesday, September 17th. TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Ascendis Pharma A/S from $157.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of Ascendis Pharma A/S from $174.00 to $196.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $195.92.

Ascendis Pharma A/S Profile

Ascendis Pharma A/S, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on developing therapies for unmet medical needs. It offers SKYTROFA for treating patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). The company is also developing a pipeline of three independent endocrinology rare disease product candidates in clinical development, as well as focuses on advancing oncology therapeutic candidates.