Esperion Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ESPR) Sees Large Volume Increase – Should You Buy?

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESPR) shares saw an uptick in trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 4,976,937 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 45% from the previous session’s volume of 9,002,371 shares.The stock last traded at $3.1750 and had previously closed at $3.16.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Citizens Jmp lowered Esperion Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. HC Wainwright downgraded Esperion Therapeutics from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $3.16 price target for the company. in a report on Friday, May 1st. Cantor Fitzgerald lowered shares of Esperion Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Piper Sandler cut shares of Esperion Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Esperion Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $5.54.

Esperion Therapeutics Trading Up 0.2%

The business has a 50 day moving average price of $3.05 and a 200-day moving average price of $3.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $815.60 million, a PE ratio of -52.75 and a beta of 1.07.

Esperion Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ESPR) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 8th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.10) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.02) by ($0.08). Esperion Therapeutics had a net margin of 0.12% and a negative return on equity of 0.14%. The business had revenue of $80.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $84.52 million.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Benjamin Looker sold 11,824 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.15, for a total value of $37,245.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 667,524 shares in the company, valued at $2,102,700.60. This trade represents a 1.74% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Benjamin Halladay sold 10,773 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.15, for a total transaction of $33,934.95. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 702,829 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,213,911.35. This trade represents a 1.51% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Esperion Therapeutics

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Kestra Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Esperion Therapeutics during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. KFG Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Esperion Therapeutics during the fourth quarter worth $37,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Esperion Therapeutics during the fourth quarter worth $38,000. Larson Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Esperion Therapeutics during the fourth quarter worth $39,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new stake in Esperion Therapeutics in the fourth quarter valued at $40,000. 47.39% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Esperion Therapeutics Company Profile

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of oral, low–density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)–lowering therapies. The company’s research and development efforts center on small-molecule compounds designed to address atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by targeting cholesterol biosynthesis pathways. Esperion seeks to provide novel treatment options for patients who require additional LDL-C reduction beyond what is achieved with statins or who are statin-intolerant.

The company’s lead products include NEXLETOL (bempedoic acid), an oral adenosine triphosphate–citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitor approved by the U.S.