United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR) Shares Down 4.9% - What's Next?

United Therapeutics Co. (NASDAQ:UTHR - Get Free Report) was down 4.9% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $353.02 and last traded at $354.44. Approximately 148,268 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 45% from the average daily volume of 271,731 shares. The stock had previously closed at $372.75.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Oppenheimer boosted their price target on United Therapeutics from $575.00 to $600.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. TD Cowen lifted their price target on shares of United Therapeutics from $350.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, October 21st. StockNews.com upgraded United Therapeutics from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of United Therapeutics from $415.00 to $475.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upped their target price on shares of United Therapeutics from $319.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, October 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $378.36.

United Therapeutics Stock Up 1.0 %

The stock has a market capitalization of $15.83 billion, a PE ratio of 15.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.57. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $364.75 and its 200-day moving average price is $357.51.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Nilda Mesa sold 255 shares of United Therapeutics stock in a transaction on Monday, December 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.77, for a total value of $90,721.35. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,528 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,966,696.56. This trade represents a 4.41 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Judy D. Olian sold 1,750 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $412.48, for a total transaction of $721,840.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 5,655 shares in the company, valued at $2,332,574.40. The trade was a 23.63 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 133,838 shares of company stock worth $50,445,556 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 11.90% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United Therapeutics during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. USA Financial Formulas acquired a new position in United Therapeutics in the third quarter valued at $33,000. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new position in shares of United Therapeutics during the third quarter worth about $33,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in United Therapeutics during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $82,000. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its stake in United Therapeutics by 31.9% in the fourth quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 240 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $85,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.08% 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.