BTIG Research Increases Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) Price Target to $151.00

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) had its target price increased by equities researchers at BTIG Research from $118.00 to $151.00 in a report released on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a “buy” rating on the biopharmaceutical company’s stock. BTIG Research’s price target points to a potential upside of 188.90% from the stock’s previous close.

Several other equities research analysts have also commented on the company. Wall Street Zen lowered Nektar Therapeutics from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Sunday, November 16th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a report on Monday, December 29th. HC Wainwright upped their price objective on shares of Nektar Therapeutics from $120.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. William Blair upgraded Nektar Therapeutics from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Nektar Therapeutics presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $119.86.

Nektar Therapeutics Stock Up 41.0%

Shares of NKTR traded up $15.20 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $52.27. 6,264,119 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 880,557. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $43.32 and a 200 day simple moving average of $45.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.06 billion, a PE ratio of -6.57 and a beta of 1.34. Nektar Therapeutics has a fifty-two week low of $6.45 and a fifty-two week high of $66.92.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Mark Andrew Wilson sold 630 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.28, for a total transaction of $34,196.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 21,585 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,171,633.80. The trade was a 2.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Howard W. Robin sold 2,207 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.28, for a total transaction of $119,795.96. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 54,245 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,944,418.60. This trade represents a 3.91% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 7,861 shares of company stock worth $354,730 in the last three months. 3.71% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nektar Therapeutics

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 93.8% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 434 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd increased its stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 51.3% during the 4th quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 2,541 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $107,000 after purchasing an additional 862 shares during the last quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC raised its holdings in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 70.6% during the 3rd quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC now owns 2,602 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $148,000 after purchasing an additional 1,077 shares in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 1,741.2% in the 3rd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,565 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $90,000 after purchasing an additional 1,480 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Compass Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Nektar Therapeutics in the third quarter worth $88,000. 75.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Nektar Therapeutics News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Positive 36-week maintenance results from the REZOLVE‑AD Phase 2b trial show durable responses (high rates of EASI‑75 and vIGA‑AD 0/1 maintained at 36 weeks), meaningful improvements across efficacy endpoints through week 52, and a favorable safety profile — Nektar said these data support advancing rezpegaldesleukin into a pivotal Phase 3 program, which materially derisks the program and increases its value potential. PR Newswire: Rezolve‑AD maintenance data
• Positive Sentiment: William Blair upgraded NKTR from Market Perform to Outperform — analyst upgrades can attract institutional interest and were likely a contributing catalyst for the intraday rally. TickerReport: William Blair upgrade
• Positive Sentiment: Unusually large call option volume—about a 145% increase versus typical daily call activity—signals speculative bullish bets and short‑term trader interest, amplifying upward pressure on the shares. (Reported intraday options flow.)
• Positive Sentiment: Market press and news outlets are reporting the positive trial readout and share reaction, reinforcing investor awareness and momentum into trading. Investing.com: NKTR stock reaction
• Neutral Sentiment: Nektar scheduled a conference call/webcast to present the topline 36‑week maintenance results (timing and webcast available), enabling management to address investor questions; this increases transparency but is informational rather than a standalone catalyst. PR Newswire: Conference call

About Nektar Therapeutics

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.