Insider Selling: United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR) CEO Sells $5,476,465.00 in Stock

United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR) CEO Martine Rothblatt sold 9,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $576.47, for a total transaction of $5,476,465.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 324,443 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $187,031,656.21. This trade represents a 2.84% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website.

United Therapeutics Stock Performance

Shares of UTHR traded down $29.68 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $541.70. The stock had a trading volume of 945,686 shares, compared to its average volume of 540,539. United Therapeutics Corporation has a 12 month low of $409.07 and a 12 month high of $609.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.23 billion, a PE ratio of 19.38, a PEG ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.49. The company’s 50-day moving average is $510.03 and its two-hundred day moving average is $539.64.

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 5th. The biotechnology company reported $7.27 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.86 by $0.41. United Therapeutics had a return on equity of 20.18% and a net margin of 41.56%.The business had revenue of $783.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $804.65 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $6.41 EPS. United Therapeutics’s quarterly revenue was down 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that United Therapeutics Corporation will post 26.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Therapeutics

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in United Therapeutics by 3.5% during the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,476 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $1,883,000 after acquiring an additional 116 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. raised its position in shares of United Therapeutics by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 3,445 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $1,867,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Andra AP fonden lifted its stake in shares of United Therapeutics by 33.5% in the 2nd quarter. Andra AP fonden now owns 34,904 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $18,912,000 after purchasing an additional 8,760 shares during the period. Security National Bank of SO Dak bought a new stake in shares of United Therapeutics during the 2nd quarter valued at about $179,000. Finally, Talon Private Wealth LLC boosted its position in shares of United Therapeutics by 31.8% during the 2nd quarter. Talon Private Wealth LLC now owns 6,753 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $3,659,000 after purchasing an additional 1,630 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.08% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of United Therapeutics from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Thursday, August 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on United Therapeutics from $704.00 to $677.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on United Therapeutics from $685.00 to $687.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of United Therapeutics in a report on Thursday. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price target on United Therapeutics from $620.00 to $613.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 10th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, United Therapeutics currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $621.00.

Key United Therapeutics News

Here are the key news stories impacting United Therapeutics this week:

• Positive Sentiment: A Delaware federal court ruled that Liquidia’s Yutrepia infringes two United Therapeutics patents covering inhaled treprostinil for pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD). The court also rejected Liquidia’s arguments that the patents were invalid. United Therapeutics Prevails in Patent Litigation Against Liquidia
• Positive Sentiment: The ruling could limit Yutrepia’s use in the PH-ILD market and reduce near-term competitive pressure on United Therapeutics’ Tyvaso products. The company believes the decision may support an FDA action requiring Yutrepia labeling that excludes the disputed indication, potentially extending Tyvaso’s market protection and supporting future cash flow. UTHR Prevails in Liquidia Patent Dispute
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remains generally favorable, with several firms maintaining bullish ratings and price targets above recent trading levels. United Therapeutics also has an announced $2 billion share-repurchase authorization, which may provide additional support for earnings per share and shareholder returns.
• Neutral Sentiment: The commercial benefit is not yet certain. Liquidia could pursue further legal action or appeals, and regulatory steps involving Yutrepia will determine how quickly United Therapeutics can capitalize on the ruling. Analysts remain divided, with bullish views contrasting with at least one bearish rating and a much lower price target. Analysts Have Conflicting Sentiments on Healthcare Companies
• Negative Sentiment: Recent insider selling is a counterweight: CEO Martine Rothblatt sold a combined 9,500 shares, while EVP Paul Mahon sold 8,300 shares worth approximately $4.7 million. Although the sales may have been scheduled transactions, the absence of reported insider purchases could weigh modestly on sentiment. United Therapeutics Insider Selling

United Therapeutics Company Profile

United Therapeutics Corporation is a biotechnology and pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and other serious cardiopulmonary conditions. The company’s products include Tyvaso and Tyvaso DPI, inhaled formulations of treprostinil; Remodulin, an injectable form of treprostinil; Orenitram, an oral treprostinil product; and Adcirca, a tadalafil-based PAH treatment.

United Therapeutics markets its therapies primarily in the United States and internationally through commercial and regulatory activities in additional markets.