Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) has been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the nine ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $133.4286.

Several equities analysts have commented on NKTR shares. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. They set a “buy” rating and a $102.00 price objective for the company. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research report on Monday, December 29th. BTIG Research increased their price target on shares of Nektar Therapeutics from $118.00 to $151.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. William Blair upgraded Nektar Therapeutics from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th.

Nektar Therapeutics Price Performance

Shares of NKTR opened at $73.25 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.18 and a beta of 1.17. Nektar Therapeutics has a 1 year low of $6.45 and a 1 year high of $77.00. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $53.50 and its 200-day simple moving average is $53.23.

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) last posted its earnings results 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. Nektar Therapeutics had a negative net margin of 297.07% and a negative return on equity of 638.32%. The firm had revenue of $21.81 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.44 million. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Nektar Therapeutics will post -0.72 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Jonathan Zalevsky sold 3,867 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.67, for a total transaction of $137,935.89. Following the sale, the insider owned 21,354 shares in the company, valued at approximately $761,697.18. This represents a 15.33% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Howard W. Robin sold 423 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.00, for a total value of $30,879.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 75,489 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,510,697. This represents a 0.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders sold 4,470 shares of company stock valued at $181,955. Company insiders own 5.25% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of NKTR. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its holdings 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 worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics during the 2nd quarter worth about $65,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC bought a new position in Nektar Therapeutics during the 1st quarter valued at about $68,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in Nektar Therapeutics in the 4th quarter worth about $85,000. Finally, Compass Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Nektar Therapeutics in the 3rd quarter worth about $88,000. Institutional investors own 75.88% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Nektar Therapeutics

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results beat expectations: EPS loss of ($1.78) topped consensus and revenue of $21.8M substantially exceeded estimates; management highlighted promising clinical data and near-term plans for rezpeg Phase III studies in atopic dermatitis (timing noted for Q2 2026). Nektar Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results
• Positive Sentiment: Earnings call and analyst coverage reinforced the upside: call transcripts and press coverage flagged promising Phase 2b/clinical takeaways that appear to be driving bullish investor sentiment and volume today. Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Balance-sheet snapshot: cash and marketable securities were $245.8M at year-end (down from $269.1M a year earlier) — provides runway but still limited given development-stage spending; watch cash burn guidance and upcoming Phase III cost needs. Financial Results / Cash Position
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple law firms have filed or announced securities-fraud investigations and class action notices covering the Feb 26–Dec 15, 2025 period; several firms are soliciting lead-plaintiff motions with a May 5, 2026 deadline — litigation could lead to legal costs, management distraction and settlement risk. Rosen Law Firm Notice Pomerantz Filing

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.