Brokerages Set Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPRX) PT at $33.20

Shares of Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPRX) have received a consensus rating of “Buy” from the nine analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $33.20.

A number of research firms recently commented on CPRX. Wall Street Zen raised Catalyst Pharmaceuticals from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Sunday, November 16th. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Catalyst Pharmaceuticals from $31.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Oppenheimer reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $33.00 price target on shares of Catalyst Pharmaceuticals in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Catalyst Pharmaceuticals in a research report on Monday, December 29th.

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ CPRX opened at $22.35 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $2.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.99, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 0.72. Catalyst Pharmaceuticals has a fifty-two week low of $19.05 and a fifty-two week high of $26.58. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $23.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $21.54.

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:CPRX) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.68 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $148.39 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $136.79 million. Catalyst Pharmaceuticals had a return on equity of 39.24% and a net margin of 37.63%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Catalyst Pharmaceuticals will post 1.9 EPS for the current year.

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Wednesday, October 1st that allows the company to buyback $200.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the biopharmaceutical company to repurchase up to 8.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at Catalyst Pharmaceuticals

In related news, insider Carmen Jeffrey Del sold 10,983 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.33, for a total transaction of $256,233.39. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 3,962 shares in the company, valued at approximately $92,433.46. This trade represents a 73.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Molly Harper sold 26,746 shares of Catalyst Pharmaceuticals stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.25, for a total transaction of $621,844.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 2,360 shares in the company, valued at approximately $54,870. This represents a 91.89% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 10.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Catalyst Pharmaceuticals

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Huntington National Bank lifted its stake in Catalyst Pharmaceuticals by 105.0% in the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 1,433 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 734 shares during the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC raised its stake in shares of Catalyst Pharmaceuticals by 1,085.7% in the third quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 1,660 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 1,520 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new position in shares of Catalyst Pharmaceuticals during the 3rd quarter valued at $39,000. Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of Catalyst Pharmaceuticals during the 3rd quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in Catalyst Pharmaceuticals in the 3rd quarter worth about $42,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.22% of the company’s stock.

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Company Profile

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for patients living with rare neuromuscular, neurological and metabolic diseases. The company’s mission centers on delivering safe and effective treatments that address unmet medical needs in small patient populations.

The company’s lead product is Firdapse® (amifampridine phosphate), a treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for adults with Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS).