Farallon Capital Management LLC Makes New $45.01 Million Investment in Nektar Therapeutics $NKTR

Farallon Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor acquired 791,000 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock, valued at approximately $45,008,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 336.9% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 3,640,851 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $2,463,000 after purchasing an additional 2,807,595 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Nektar Therapeutics by 30.0% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 948,647 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $53,978,000 after buying an additional 219,155 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP increased its stake in Nektar Therapeutics by 446.9% in the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 434,237 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $24,708,000 after buying an additional 354,842 shares in the last quarter. 22NW LP increased its stake in Nektar Therapeutics by 126.6% in the 3rd quarter. 22NW LP now owns 331,115 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $18,840,000 after buying an additional 185,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Emerald Advisers LLC bought a new stake in Nektar Therapeutics during the third quarter valued at about $18,393,000. 75.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Nektar Therapeutics

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

Nektar Therapeutics Stock Performance

NKTR stock opened at $73.25 on Monday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $53.50 and a 200 day moving average price of $53.40. Nektar Therapeutics has a fifty-two week low of $6.45 and a fifty-two week high of $77.00. The firm has a market cap of $1.49 billion, a PE ratio of -7.18 and a beta of 1.16.

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 12th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($1.78) earnings per share (EPS) 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 386.16%. The company had revenue of $21.81 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.44 million. On average, equities analysts predict that Nektar Therapeutics will post -0.72 EPS for the current year.

Key Stories Impacting 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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Citigroup assumed coverage on Nektar Therapeutics in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $102.00 price objective on the stock. HC Wainwright increased their target price on Nektar Therapeutics from $135.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Nektar Therapeutics from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Sunday, November 16th. BTIG Research boosted their price target on Nektar Therapeutics from $118.00 to $151.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, B. Riley Financial reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price objective (up from $105.00) on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $133.43.

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.