Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) Downgraded to “Sell” Rating by Wall Street Zen

Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report report published on Sunday.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Monday, December 29th. William Blair raised Nektar Therapeutics from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Nektar Therapeutics from $102.00 to $123.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 16th. HC Wainwright upped their price objective on Nektar Therapeutics from $135.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $128.13.

Nektar Therapeutics Stock Performance

Nektar Therapeutics stock opened at $68.66 on Friday. Nektar Therapeutics has a 1 year low of $6.45 and a 1 year high of $77.97. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $60.10 and its 200-day moving average is $55.96. The company has a market cap of $1.97 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.73 and a beta of 1.16.

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 12th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($1.78) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($2.69) by $0.91. The business had revenue of $21.81 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.44 million. Nektar Therapeutics had a negative net margin of 297.07% and a negative return on equity of 386.16%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Nektar Therapeutics will post -0.72 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other Nektar Therapeutics news, insider Jonathan Zalevsky sold 3,867 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.67, for a total value of $137,935.89. Following the sale, the insider owned 21,354 shares in the company, valued at approximately $761,697.18. This trade represents a 15.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Howard W. Robin sold 423 shares of Nektar Therapeutics stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.00, for a total value of $30,879.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 75,489 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,510,697. This trade represents a 0.56% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 4,470 shares of company stock valued at $181,955. 3.71% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Nektar Therapeutics

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 93.8% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 434 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics during the second quarter valued at about $65,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC bought a new stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics during the first quarter valued at about $68,000. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in Nektar Therapeutics in the fourth quarter worth about $85,000. Finally, Compass Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Nektar Therapeutics in the third quarter worth about $88,000. Institutional investors own 75.88% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Nektar Therapeutics

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

• Neutral Sentiment: Wedbush initiated coverage of NKTR; new analyst coverage can affect sentiment but the report’s tone is unknown from the headline. Wedbush Begins Coverage on Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR)
• Negative Sentiment: Pomerantz LLP announced a class action filed against Nektar and certain officers alleging securities law violations for the Feb 26–Dec 15, 2025 period, seeking damages under Sections 10(b) and 20(a). Pomerantz Law Firm Announces the Filing of a Class Action Against Nektar Therapeutics, Inc. and Certain Officers – NKTR
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple nationwide plaintiff firms (Rosen, Faruqi & Faruqi, Bernstein Liebhard, Bragar Eagel & Squire, Bronstein Gewirtz & Grossman, Gross Law Firm, SueWallSt, others) have issued shareholder alerts encouraging NKTR investors to seek lead‑plaintiff status or join suits — driving attention to potential claims and the May 5, 2026 deadline. These coordinated solicitations magnify headline risk and potential legal costs. ROSEN, A GLOBAL INVESTOR RIGHTS LAW FIRM, Encourages Nektar Therapeutics Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action – NKTR
• Negative Sentiment: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman announced a class action has been filed alleging investor harm for purchases during the class period; active filings increase the chance of follow‑on discovery, expense and settlement risk. Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC Urges Nektar Therapeutics Investors to Act: Class Action Filed Alleging Investor Harm
• Negative Sentiment: Bragar Eagel & Squire and The Gross Law Firm issued alerts that a class action has been filed and invited potential lead plaintiffs to contact the firms — more plaintiff activity that keeps the legal story in the market. NEKTAR CLASS ACTION ALERT: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Announces that a Class Action Lawsuit Has Been Filed Against Nektar Therapeutics and Encourages Investors to Contact the Firm
• Negative Sentiment: Several PRNewswire/Newsfile releases (including Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, Frank R. Cruz, SueWallSt) repeat the opportunity for investors to lead or join suits; the volume of notices increases headline frequency and short‑term selling pressure. Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) Shareholders Who Lost Money Have Opportunity to Lead Securities Fraud Lawsuit

Nektar Therapeutics Company Profile

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing novel drug candidates through its proprietary chemistry and immunology platforms. The company focuses on polymer conjugate technology, which enables the creation of longer-acting versions of existing drugs, and on T-cell modulatory therapies aimed at harnessing the body’s immune system to treat cancer and other serious diseases.

Nektar’s product portfolio and pipeline include a range of clinical-stage and partnered programs.