Vanguard Group Inc. Raises Position in Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZVRA)

Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZVRA - Free Report) by 2.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,824,212 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 68,151 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. owned 5.29% of Zevra Therapeutics worth $23,554,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. increased its stake in Zevra Therapeutics by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. now owns 514,832 shares of the company's stock worth $4,294,000 after buying an additional 15,327 shares during the period. Mystic Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in Zevra Therapeutics by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Mystic Asset Management Inc. now owns 313,347 shares of the company's stock worth $2,613,000 after acquiring an additional 5,900 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Zevra Therapeutics during the fourth quarter worth approximately $224,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Zevra Therapeutics by 23.2% in the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 149,504 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,247,000 after purchasing an additional 28,148 shares during the period. Finally, IFG Advisors LLC grew its stake in Zevra Therapeutics by 10.0% in the fourth quarter. IFG Advisors LLC now owns 29,050 shares of the company's stock worth $242,000 after purchasing an additional 2,650 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 35.03% of the company's stock.

Zevra Therapeutics Stock Performance

NASDAQ:ZVRA traded up $0.10 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $7.15. 406,058 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 605,049. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 2.88 and a quick ratio of 2.88. Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. has a 52-week low of $4.20 and a 52-week high of $9.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $386.93 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.63 and a beta of 1.94. The company's 50 day moving average price is $7.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $8.13.

Zevra Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ZVRA - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, March 11th. The company reported ($0.67) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.39) by ($0.28). Zevra Therapeutics had a negative net margin of 342.63% and a negative return on equity of 159.54%. The firm had revenue of $12.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.93 million. As a group, research analysts forecast that Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. will post -1.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director John B. Bode acquired 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $7.96 per share, for a total transaction of $79,600.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 40,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $318,400. This trade represents a 33.33 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Neil F. Mcfarlane sold 61,273 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $7.86, for a total transaction of $481,605.78. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 222,060 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,745,391.60. This represents a 21.63 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 85,773 shares of company stock valued at $674,176 over the last quarter. 2.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently weighed in on ZVRA shares. JMP Securities set a $18.00 price objective on Zevra Therapeutics in a report on Wednesday, March 12th. Guggenheim lifted their price objective on shares of Zevra Therapeutics from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, March 13th. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their target price on Zevra Therapeutics from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. HC Wainwright restated a "buy" rating and set a $20.00 price objective on shares of Zevra Therapeutics in a research note on Thursday, March 13th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $25.00 target price on shares of Zevra Therapeutics in a report on Wednesday, March 12th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $22.29.

Zevra Therapeutics Company Profile

Zevra Therapeutics, Inc discovers and develops various proprietary prodrugs to treat serious medical conditions in the United States. The company develops its products through Ligand Activated Therapy platform. Its lead product candidate is KP1077, consisting of KP1077IH, which is under Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of idiopathic hypersomnia, and KP1077N, which is under Phase ½ clinical trial to treat narcolepsy.