Short Interest in United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR) Rises By 2,016.4%

United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,600,000 shares, anincreaseof2,016.4% from the June 30th total of 75,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 526,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.0 days. Approximately3.6% of the shares of the company are sold short. Approximately3.6% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 526,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.0 days.

Insider Transactions at United Therapeutics

In related news, EVP Paul A. Mahon sold 11,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $279.96, for a total value of $3,079,560.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 36,781 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,297,208.76. This represents a 23.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Nilda Mesa sold 645 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $289.99, for a total transaction of $187,043.55. Following the transaction, the director owned 4,883 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,416,021.17. The trade was a 11.67% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 70,681 shares of company stock valued at $21,318,359. Corporate insiders own 10.30% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of United Therapeutics

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Chung Wu Investment Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Therapeutics during the second quarter valued at about $29,000. SVB Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in United Therapeutics during the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. Dunhill Financial LLC lifted its holdings in shares of United Therapeutics by 100.0% during the fourth quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 100 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of United Therapeutics by 141.7% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 145 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the period. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Therapeutics during the first quarter worth $49,000. 94.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Therapeutics Trading Up 7.1%

UTHR opened at $294.28 on Friday. United Therapeutics has a 1-year low of $266.98 and a 1-year high of $417.82. The company has a market cap of $13.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.49, a PEG ratio of 5.97 and a beta of 0.57. The company’s 50 day moving average is $298.13 and its 200-day moving average is $313.59.

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The biotechnology company reported $6.41 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.80 by ($0.39). United Therapeutics had a net margin of 40.36% and a return on equity of 18.73%. The company had revenue of $798.60 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $802.13 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $5.85 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that United Therapeutics will post 24.48 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on UTHR. HC Wainwright set a $400.00 price target on United Therapeutics and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on United Therapeutics from $350.00 to $330.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on United Therapeutics from $314.00 to $295.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of United Therapeutics from $321.00 to $315.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, June 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of United Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, United Therapeutics has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $379.69.

United Therapeutics Company Profile

United Therapeutics Corporation, a biotechnology company, engages in the development and commercialization of products to address the unmet medical needs of patients with chronic and life-threatening diseases in the United States and internationally. The company offers Tyvaso DPI, an inhaled dry powder via pre-filled and single-use cartridges; Tyvaso, an inhaled solution via ultrasonic nebulizer; Remodulin (treprostinil) injection to treat patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to diminish symptoms associated with exercise; Orenitram, a tablet dosage form of treprostinil, to delay disease progression and improve exercise capacity in PAH patients; and Adcirca, an oral PDE-5 inhibitor to enhance the exercise ability in PAH patients.