Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Estimate for NKTR Earnings

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) – Analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q2 2026 EPS estimates for Nektar Therapeutics in a report released on Wednesday, February 18th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the biopharmaceutical company will post earnings of ($2.72) per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of ($2.63). The consensus estimate for Nektar Therapeutics’ current full-year earnings is ($0.72) per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Nektar Therapeutics’ Q3 2026 earnings at ($2.56) EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at ($4.11) EPS, FY2026 earnings at ($11.90) EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at ($3.15) EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at ($3.32) EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at ($3.17) EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at ($4.93) EPS and FY2027 earnings at ($14.57) EPS.

Several other research firms have also issued reports on NKTR. BTIG Research upped their target price on Nektar Therapeutics from $118.00 to $151.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Nektar Therapeutics in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. William Blair raised shares of Nektar Therapeutics from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, HC Wainwright increased their price target on shares of Nektar Therapeutics from $135.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $119.86.

Nektar Therapeutics Stock Performance

NASDAQ:NKTR opened at $73.86 on Friday. Nektar Therapeutics has a 52 week low of $6.45 and a 52 week high of $74.89. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $45.43 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $48.01. The firm has a market cap of $1.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.27 and a beta of 1.34.

Insider Buying and Selling at Nektar Therapeutics

In related news, CEO Howard W. Robin sold 2,207 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.28, for a total transaction of $119,795.96. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 54,245 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,944,418.60. This represents a 3.91% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Jonathan Zalevsky sold 3,867 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.67, for a total transaction of $137,935.89. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 21,354 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $761,697.18. This trade represents a 15.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 7,861 shares of company stock valued at $354,730 over the last three months. 5.25% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nektar Therapeutics

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NKTR. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 336.9% in the first 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 in the last quarter. Farallon Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Nektar Therapeutics in the 3rd quarter worth about $45,008,000. Two Seas Capital LP purchased a new position in Nektar Therapeutics during the 4th quarter valued at about $31,506,000. Prosight Management LP purchased a new position in Nektar Therapeutics during the 4th quarter valued at about $23,450,000. Finally, Two Sigma Investments LP increased its position in shares of Nektar Therapeutics by 446.9% during the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 434,237 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $24,708,000 after buying an additional 354,842 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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

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.