Sofinnova Investments Inc. Raises Stock Position in United Therapeutics Corporation $UTHR

Sofinnova Investments Inc. lifted its position in shares of United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR) by 68.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 157,641 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock after purchasing an additional 64,115 shares during the period. United Therapeutics accounts for 3.1% of Sofinnova Investments Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest holding. Sofinnova Investments Inc.’s holdings in United Therapeutics were worth $76,811,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Leuthold Group LLC increased its stake in shares of United Therapeutics by 41.4% during the 4th quarter. Leuthold Group LLC now owns 10,672 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $5,200,000 after purchasing an additional 3,126 shares during the last quarter. Tobam increased its stake in shares of United Therapeutics by 183.9% during the 3rd quarter. Tobam now owns 7,646 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $3,205,000 after purchasing an additional 4,953 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG increased its stake in shares of United Therapeutics by 45.3% during the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 225,849 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $110,045,000 after purchasing an additional 70,445 shares during the last quarter. Perpetual Ltd acquired a new position in shares of United Therapeutics during the 4th quarter worth about $1,059,000. Finally, Brookstone Capital Management increased its stake in shares of United Therapeutics by 25.4% during the 4th quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 6,622 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $3,227,000 after purchasing an additional 1,342 shares during the last quarter. 94.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO James Edgemond sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $527.48, for a total value of $5,274,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 18,876 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,956,712.48. This represents a 34.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 634,468 shares of company stock valued at $357,970,302. 8.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley set a $516.00 price objective on shares of United Therapeutics in a research note on Thursday, May 7th. Raymond James Financial assumed coverage on shares of United Therapeutics in a research note on Friday, April 10th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $700.00 price objective on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of United Therapeutics in a research note on Thursday. HC Wainwright upped their price target on shares of United Therapeutics from $600.00 to $660.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upped their price target on shares of United Therapeutics from $525.00 to $625.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 12th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $619.42.

United Therapeutics Stock Performance

Shares of UTHR opened at $549.57 on Tuesday. United Therapeutics Corporation has a 52 week low of $272.12 and a 52 week high of $609.35. The firm has a market cap of $23.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 0.57. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $566.45 and its 200 day simple moving average is $522.10.

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The biotechnology company reported $5.82 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.00 by ($1.18). United Therapeutics had a net margin of 40.62% and a return on equity of 19.24%. The company had revenue of $781.50 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $797.40 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $6.63 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that United Therapeutics Corporation will post 26.84 earnings per share for the current year.

About United Therapeutics

United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ: UTHR) is a biotechnology company dedicated to the development and commercialization of unique products to address life-threatening illnesses. The company’s primary focus has been on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), where it has launched several therapies designed to improve functional capacity and quality of life for patients. Its marketed products include continuous infusion treprostinil (Remodulin), inhaled treprostinil (Tyvaso), oral treprostinil (Orenitram) and tadalafil (Adcirca), each tailored to different modes of administration and patient needs.