Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTRA) Given Average Rating of “Buy” by Analysts

Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTRA) has received an average rating of “Buy” from the sixteen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $181.82.

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $180.00 price target on shares of Natera in a report on Wednesday, February 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Natera from $160.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. StockNews.com raised Natera from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on Natera from $200.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on Natera from $160.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 10th.

Insider Activity at Natera

In related news, insider Solomon Moshkevich sold 2,206 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.18, for a total transaction of $335,709.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 139,280 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $21,195,630.40. This represents a 1.56 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Michael Burkes Brophy sold 2,562 shares of Natera stock in a transaction on Monday, March 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.41, for a total transaction of $354,606.42. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 75,557 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,457,844.37. This trade represents a 3.28 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 152,436 shares of company stock worth $22,019,079. 7.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Natera

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. LRI Investments LLC purchased a new position in Natera in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new position in shares of Natera in the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Natera by 104.3% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 190 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. boosted its position in Natera by 117.8% during the 1st quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 220 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares during the period. Finally, ORG Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Natera in the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. 99.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Natera Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:NTRA opened at $150.99 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 4.23, a current ratio of 4.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $147.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $155.39. Natera has a 52 week low of $92.14 and a 52 week high of $183.00. The company has a market cap of $20.41 billion, a P/E ratio of -85.79 and a beta of 1.79.

Natera (NASDAQ:NTRA) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The medical research company reported ($0.50) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.59) by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $501.83 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $446.68 million. Natera had a negative return on equity of 26.23% and a negative net margin of 14.01%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 36.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned ($0.56) earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Natera will post -1.49 earnings per share for the current year.

Natera Company Profile

Natera, Inc, a diagnostics company, develops and commercializes molecular testing services worldwide. Its products include Panorama, a non-invasive prenatal test that screens for chromosomal abnormalities of a fetus, as well as in twin pregnancies; Horizon carrier screening test for individuals and couples determine if they are carriers of genetic variations that cause certain genetic conditions; Vistara single-gene NIPT screens for 25 single-gene disorders that cause severe skeletal, cardiac, and neurological conditions; Spectrum, preimplantation genetic tests for couples undergoing IVF; Anora that analyzes miscarriage tissue from women; Empower, a hereditary cancer screening test; and non-invasive prenatal paternity product, which allows a couple to establish paternity without waiting for the child to be born.