Analysts Set Exact Sciences Corporation (NASDAQ:EXAS) Price Target at $85.00

Shares of Exact Sciences Corporation (NASDAQ:EXAS) have been given an average rating of “Hold” by the twenty-six analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, nineteen have given a hold recommendation, four have issued a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $85.00.

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. BTIG Research lowered Exact Sciences from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Exact Sciences in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. William Blair downgraded Exact Sciences from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Leerink Partnrs downgraded Exact Sciences from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a “hold” rating and set a $105.00 price objective (up from $80.00) on shares of Exact Sciences in a research note on Friday, November 28th.

Exact Sciences Trading Up 0.0%

Shares of EXAS opened at $101.57 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.24 billion, a PE ratio of -19.09, a P/E/G ratio of 12.53 and a beta of 1.41. The company’s fifty day moving average is $85.45 and its 200 day moving average is $63.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 2.44 and a current ratio of 2.72. Exact Sciences has a fifty-two week low of $38.81 and a fifty-two week high of $102.66.

Exact Sciences (NASDAQ:EXAS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The medical research company reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.13 by $0.11. Exact Sciences had a negative net margin of 32.01% and a positive return on equity of 1.67%. The business had revenue of $850.74 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $810.42 million. During the same period last year, the company posted ($0.21) EPS. The business’s revenue was up 20.0% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Exact Sciences will post -0.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Exact Sciences news, EVP Brian Baranick sold 2,858 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.08, for a total transaction of $200,288.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 22,368 shares in the company, valued at $1,567,549.44. The trade was a 11.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Jacob A. Orville sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total value of $375,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 23,237 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,742,775. This represents a 17.71% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 9,858 shares of company stock valued at $695,289. Company insiders own 1.20% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Exact Sciences

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA purchased a new stake in Exact Sciences in the second quarter worth $157,805,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its stake in Exact Sciences by 105.8% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 4,493,085 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $245,802,000 after buying an additional 2,310,139 shares during the period. ARK Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in Exact Sciences by 6,072,588.9% during the 3rd quarter. ARK Investment Management LLC now owns 2,186,168 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $119,605,000 after buying an additional 2,186,132 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its holdings in Exact Sciences by 120.1% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 3,128,958 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $135,453,000 after buying an additional 1,707,287 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Holocene Advisors LP boosted its position in Exact Sciences by 189.5% in the 2nd quarter. Holocene Advisors LP now owns 2,145,181 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $113,995,000 after buying an additional 1,404,086 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.82% of the company’s stock.

Exact Sciences Company Profile

Exact Sciences Corporation is a molecular diagnostics company headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, dedicated to the early detection and prevention of cancer. The company’s flagship product, Cologuard®, is a noninvasive, stool-based DNA screening test for colorectal cancer that was developed in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic. By combining DNA mutation analysis with hemoglobin detection, Cologuard aims to improve screening adherence and identify cancers and precancerous lesions in average-risk adults.

Since its founding in 1995, Exact Sciences has expanded its portfolio through strategic acquisitions and internal research and development.