KalVista Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:KALV) Reaches New 1-Year High – Still a Buy?

KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:KALV)’s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $26.85 and last traded at $26.7750, with a volume of 3729340 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $26.71.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

KALV has been the topic of several research reports. JonesTrading lowered shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Needham & Company LLC lowered shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals from $39.00 to $42.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, March 26th. Leerink Partners lowered shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, HC Wainwright lowered shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and decreased their price target for the company from $37.00 to $27.00 in a report on Friday, May 1st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $30.60.

KalVista Pharmaceuticals Trading Up 0.0%

The business’s fifty day moving average is $19.11 and its 200-day moving average is $16.10. The firm has a market cap of $1.37 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.77 and a beta of -0.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.18, a quick ratio of 7.21 and a current ratio of 7.22.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Paul K. Audhya sold 5,354 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.57, for a total value of $83,361.78. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 138,983 shares in the company, valued at $2,163,965.31. This trade represents a 3.71% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Nicole Sweeny sold 3,975 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.57, for a total transaction of $61,890.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 47,003 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $731,836.71. This trade represents a 7.80% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 263,969 shares of company stock worth $4,536,178 over the last quarter. 4.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its position in KalVista Pharmaceuticals by 45.8% during the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,876 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 589 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its stake in shares of KalVista Pharmaceuticals by 47.0% in the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 4,041 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 1,292 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank bought a new position in KalVista Pharmaceuticals during the third quarter worth $55,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC bought a new position in KalVista Pharmaceuticals during the third quarter worth $57,000. Finally, KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new position in KalVista Pharmaceuticals during the third quarter worth $63,000.

About KalVista Pharmaceuticals

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.