Ligand Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:LGND) Issues FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Ligand Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:LGND) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of 8.000-9.000 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 4.850. The company issued revenue guidance of $245.0 million-$285.0 million, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $266.0 million.

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Stock Up 1.3%

Shares of NASDAQ:LGND opened at $191.39 on Thursday. Ligand Pharmaceuticals has a 1-year low of $93.58 and a 1-year high of $212.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 92.46 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 24.30 and a current ratio of 24.69. The company’s fifty day moving average is $193.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $184.93.

Ligand Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:LGND) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The biotechnology company reported $2.02 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.46 by $0.56. The firm had revenue of $59.67 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $55.59 million. Ligand Pharmaceuticals had a net margin of 19.34% and a return on equity of 5.71%. Ligand Pharmaceuticals has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.000-9.000 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Ligand Pharmaceuticals will post 1.73 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Citigroup started coverage on shares of Ligand Pharmaceuticals in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $270.00 price target for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on Ligand Pharmaceuticals from $234.00 to $235.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Benchmark boosted their price objective on Ligand Pharmaceuticals from $175.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Oppenheimer increased their price objective on Ligand Pharmaceuticals from $190.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, HC Wainwright boosted their price objective on Ligand Pharmaceuticals from $231.00 to $239.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $240.67.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ligand Pharmaceuticals

In other Ligand Pharmaceuticals news, Director John W. Kozarich sold 467 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $195.91, for a total value of $91,489.97. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 43,187 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,460,765.17. This trade represents a 1.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Octavio Espinoza sold 1,804 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $188.31, for a total transaction of $339,711.24. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 26,186 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,931,085.66. This trade represents a 6.45% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 3,205 shares of company stock worth $611,192. Corporate insiders own 7.00% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Ligand Pharmaceuticals

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System raised its stake in Ligand Pharmaceuticals by 2.2% in the fourth quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 2,872 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $543,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased its stake in Ligand Pharmaceuticals by 86.3% during the 3rd quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 149 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC raised its stake in Ligand Pharmaceuticals by 5.4% during the 4th quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 1,531 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $289,000 after buying an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL grew its position in Ligand Pharmaceuticals by 1.0% during the fourth quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 8,474 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $1,602,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the period. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position in Ligand Pharmaceuticals by 1.3% in the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 8,426 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $1,593,000 after buying an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.28% of the company’s stock.

About Ligand Pharmaceuticals

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc is a biopharmaceutical company that acquires, develops and out-licenses proprietary technologies designed to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies discover and develop novel medicines. Operating primarily through its research services and royalty-generating businesses, Ligand focuses on building a diversified portfolio of technology platforms and partnering with industry leaders to advance therapeutic candidates across multiple disease areas.

The company’s product offerings center around several core platforms.