KalVista Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:KALV) Hits New 12-Month High on Analyst Upgrade

KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:KALV) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday after Wall Street Zen upgraded the stock from a hold rating to a buy rating. The stock traded as high as $19.27 and last traded at $18.95, with a volume of 2400756 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $17.14.

A number of other analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. TD Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Citizens Jmp reduced their target price on shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals from $29.00 to $28.00 and set a “market outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals from $39.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, HC Wainwright lifted their price target on shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals from $27.00 to $37.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 9th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $32.60.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Nicole Sweeny sold 3,975 shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.57, for a total value of $61,890.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 47,003 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $731,836.71. The trade was a 7.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Brian Piekos sold 1,767 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.57, for a total transaction of $27,512.19. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 13,762 shares in the company, valued at approximately $214,274.34. This represents a 11.38% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 33,378 shares of company stock worth $522,290. 4.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Key KalVista Pharmaceuticals News

Here are the key news stories impacting KalVista Pharmaceuticals this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Unusual bullish options flow: traders bought 5,072 call options (≈569% above the average of 758), suggesting speculative or hedged bullish positioning that can amplify near-term upside interest in the shares.
• Positive Sentiment: Stifel Nicolaus raised its price target to $42 and reiterated a “buy” rating — a large upside vs. the current level that often attracts renewed investor attention and buying. Stifel price target raise
• Positive Sentiment: Needham & Company increased its target to $36 and kept a “buy” rating, reinforcing analyst conviction from multiple firms. Needham target raise
• Positive Sentiment: EKTERLY commercial launch showing strong initial revenue: KalVista reported $49.1M in EKTERLY revenue during an eight-month transition period — a material commercial proof point that supports revenue growth expectations. EKTERLY revenue report
• Positive Sentiment: Stock hit a new 52-week high after analyst upgrades and increased coverage, a technical signal that can attract momentum buyers. 52-week high / analyst upgrade
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent earnings materials (Q1 2025 call summary and transcript) have been published — useful for revisiting guidance and management commentary but the market reaction depends on details and forward guidance. Q1 2025 earnings call summary
• Negative Sentiment: Citizens Jmp trimmed its price target slightly from $29 to $28 (still a “market outperform”), a modest downtick in one analyst’s view that could temper upside expectations if other firms follow. Citizens Jmp target change

Institutional Investors Weigh In On KalVista Pharmaceuticals

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its position in KalVista Pharmaceuticals by 47.0% during the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 4,041 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 1,292 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank bought a new position in shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals in the 3rd quarter valued at about $55,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $57,000. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $63,000. Finally, Truvestments Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals by 253.8% during the fourth quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 4,684 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical company’s stock worth $76,000 after buying an additional 3,360 shares during the last quarter.

KalVista Pharmaceuticals Price Performance

The company’s fifty day moving average is $16.04 and its two-hundred day moving average is $14.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $990.08 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.89 and a beta of -0.35. The company has a quick ratio of 7.21, a current ratio of 7.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.18.

KalVista Pharmaceuticals Company Profile

KalVista Pharmaceuticals is a clinical‐stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of small‐molecule protease inhibitors for orphan and specialty disease indications. The firm’s scientific platform centers on selective inhibition of plasma kallikrein, a serine protease implicated in disorders characterized by vascular leak, edema and inflammation. KalVista’s approach leverages oral and intravitreal delivery formats to target both systemic and ophthalmic conditions.

The company’s lead programs include an oral plasma kallikrein inhibitor in clinical trials for the acute treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks and an intravitreal kallikrein inhibitor being evaluated for diabetic macular edema.