Persistent Asset Partners Ltd Buys Shares of 17,270 Nektar Therapeutics $NKTR

Persistent Asset Partners Ltd bought a new stake in Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor bought 17,270 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock, valued at approximately $983,000.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in NKTR. FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Nektar Therapeutics during the second quarter worth about $39,000. Compass Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Nektar Therapeutics during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $88,000. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its position in Nektar Therapeutics by 1,741.2% in the 3rd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,565 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $90,000 after acquiring an additional 1,480 shares during the period. Bayforest Capital Ltd acquired a new position in Nektar Therapeutics in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $96,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics during the second quarter valued at $65,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.88% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Nektar Therapeutics

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised several FY and quarterly EPS forecasts (improving FY2026 and FY2027 loss estimates, and upward tweaks to multiple quarters), signaling modestly better near- to medium-term expectations for NKTR. MarketBeat: NKTR Analyst Note
• Positive Sentiment: Nektar and UCSF are collaborating to test TNFR2 agonism as a potential antibody therapy for multiple sclerosis — a meaningful pipeline expansion into a high‑need CNS indication that could improve long‑term value if clinical data advance. Nektar Therapeutics and UCSF explore TNFR2 agonism in MS
• Positive Sentiment: A recent Seeking Alpha piece is bullish on Nektar’s unique MOA and strong Alzheimer’s disease maintenance data, labeling the stock a “Strong Buy,” which can attract investor interest and momentum. Nektar Therapeutics: Unique MOA Translates To Stellar AD Maintenance Data, Strong Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: AAII published a comparative piece considering Nektar versus another biotech (Harmony Biosciences), which may bring additional retail/institutional attention but is not new company‑specific data. Which Is a Better Investment, Harmony Biosciences or Nektar?
• Negative Sentiment: Offsetting the positive revisions, Zacks slightly lowered some near‑term quarter forecasts (notably Q2 2026 and Q2 2027 EPS were nudged down), highlighting ongoing cash‑burn and variability in near‑term operating results that could pressure short‑term expectations. MarketBeat: NKTR Analyst Note

Insider Buying and Selling at Nektar Therapeutics

In other Nektar Therapeutics news, insider Jonathan Zalevsky sold 3,867 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.67, for a total transaction of $137,935.89. Following 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Howard W. Robin sold 2,207 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.28, for a total value of $119,795.96. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 54,245 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,944,418.60. This represents a 3.91% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 7,861 shares of company stock valued at $354,730 in the last three months. Company insiders own 5.25% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded Nektar Therapeutics from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Sunday, November 16th. Citigroup started coverage on Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $102.00 price target for the company. William Blair raised Nektar Therapeutics from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Piper Sandler reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $105.00 target price on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a report on Monday, January 26th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $119.86.

Nektar Therapeutics Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:NKTR opened at $73.86 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $45.43 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $48.01. Nektar Therapeutics has a 1 year low of $6.45 and a 1 year high of $74.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.50 billion, a PE ratio of -9.27 and a beta of 1.34.

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.