Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC Sells 1,960 Shares of United Therapeutics Co. (NASDAQ:UTHR)

Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC reduced its position in United Therapeutics Co. (NASDAQ:UTHR - Free Report) by 6.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 27,123 shares of the biotechnology company's stock after selling 1,960 shares during the quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.06% of United Therapeutics worth $9,570,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in UTHR. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United Therapeutics during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Therapeutics during the fourth quarter worth $67,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its holdings in shares of United Therapeutics by 31.9% in the fourth quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 240 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $85,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in shares of United Therapeutics by 678.9% in the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 296 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $104,000 after acquiring an additional 258 shares during the period. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of United Therapeutics in the fourth quarter valued at $131,000. 94.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

United Therapeutics Stock Down 4.5 %

Shares of NASDAQ UTHR traded down $13.71 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $293.65. The company had a trading volume of 364,496 shares, compared to its average volume of 450,134. The stock has a market cap of $13.19 billion, a PE ratio of 12.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 0.64. United Therapeutics Co. has a one year low of $229.72 and a one year high of $417.82. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $335.35 and its 200-day moving average price is $354.76.

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United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The biotechnology company reported $6.19 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $6.10 by $0.09. United Therapeutics had a return on equity of 19.22% and a net margin of 40.31%. The firm had revenue of $735.90 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $734.74 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $4.36 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that United Therapeutics Co. will post 24.48 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have commented on UTHR shares. HC Wainwright restated a "buy" rating and issued a $425.00 target price on shares of United Therapeutics in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of United Therapeutics from $415.00 to $475.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, StockNews.com cut United Therapeutics from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $388.25.

Insider Transactions at United Therapeutics

In related news, Director Tommy G. Thompson sold 2,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $318.80, for a total transaction of $797,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 8,480 shares in the company, valued at $2,703,424. This represents a 22.77 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, COO Michael Benkowitz sold 10,000 shares of United Therapeutics stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $364.91, for a total transaction of $3,649,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 2,577 shares in the company, valued at approximately $940,373.07. This trade represents a 79.51 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 72,500 shares of company stock worth $26,134,500. Company insiders own 11.90% of the company's stock.

United Therapeutics Company Profile

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.