Portolan Capital Management LLC Has $5.03 Million Stock Position in United Therapeutics Co. (NASDAQ:UTHR)

Portolan Capital Management LLC cut its holdings in United Therapeutics Co. (NASDAQ:UTHR - Free Report) by 53.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 14,249 shares of the biotechnology company's stock after selling 16,257 shares during the quarter. Portolan Capital Management LLC's holdings in United Therapeutics were worth $5,028,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in United Therapeutics during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Therapeutics during the 4th quarter worth about $67,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its stake in United Therapeutics by 31.9% in the 4th 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 lifted its stake in shares of United Therapeutics by 678.9% during the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 296 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $104,000 after purchasing an additional 258 shares during the period. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of United Therapeutics during the 4th quarter worth $131,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.08% of the company's stock.

United Therapeutics Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:UTHR traded down $0.46 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $284.73. 302,945 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 453,066. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $317.98 and its 200 day simple moving average is $349.16. United Therapeutics Co. has a 52-week low of $233.28 and a 52-week high of $417.82. The firm has a market cap of $12.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.50, a PEG ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 0.63.

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

Insider Transactions at United Therapeutics

In related news, Director Raymond Dwek sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $285.16, for a total value of $855,480.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,750 shares in the company, valued at $499,030. This represents a 63.16 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Tommy G. Thompson sold 2,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $318.80, for a total value of $797,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 8,480 shares in the company, valued at $2,703,424. This represents a 22.77 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 80,500 shares of company stock valued at $27,849,960. Insiders own 11.90% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

United Therapeutics 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.