Veracyte (NASDAQ:VCYT) Downgraded by Wall Street Zen to “Hold”

Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Veracyte (NASDAQ:VCYT) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Saturday,Wall Street Zen reports.

Several other analysts have also weighed in on the company. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on Veracyte from $66.00 to $54.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Veracyte from $47.00 to $44.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their target price on Veracyte from $60.00 to $50.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Stephens decreased their price target on shares of Veracyte from $68.00 to $55.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC lowered their price target on shares of Veracyte from $69.00 to $46.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $51.40.

Veracyte Stock Up 0.7%

VCYT stock opened at $24.16 on Friday. Veracyte has a twelve month low of $21.91 and a twelve month high of $60.91. The company has a market cap of $1.94 billion, a PE ratio of 15.59 and a beta of 1.98. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $44.07 and its 200 day simple moving average is $42.87.

Veracyte (NASDAQ:VCYT) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 4th. The biotechnology company reported $0.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.41 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $151.75 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $147.13 million. Veracyte had a return on equity of 8.99% and a net margin of 21.80%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 15.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.51 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Veracyte will post 1.32 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other Veracyte news, CFO Rebecca Chambers sold 3,652 shares of Veracyte stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.10, for a total transaction of $157,401.20. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 166,025 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,155,677.50. The trade was a 2.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, insider John Leite sold 4,015 shares of Veracyte stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total value of $160,600.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 124,329 shares in the company, valued at $4,973,160. The trade was a 3.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 62,609 shares of company stock valued at $2,858,904. 1.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Veracyte

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of VCYT. Eurizon Capital SGR S.p.A. acquired a new position in Veracyte during the third quarter worth $34,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Veracyte in the 2nd quarter valued at $44,000. Allworth Financial LP acquired a new stake in shares of Veracyte in the 2nd quarter valued at $50,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Veracyte in the 1st quarter worth about $62,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. bought a new stake in shares of Veracyte in the 2nd quarter worth about $62,000.

Key Headlines Impacting Veracyte

Here are the key news stories impacting Veracyte this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Veracyte reported Q3 adjusted EPS of $0.51, ahead of estimates, and revenue of $151.75 million, up 15.1% year over year and above consensus. Veracyte tops Q3 earnings and revenue estimates
• Positive Sentiment: The company authorized a share buyback plan, which could provide some support for the stock, though the provided report does not specify its size or timing. Veracyte authorizes a buyback plan
• Negative Sentiment: The main concern is Veracyte’s reduced 2026 revenue outlook, tied to slower-than-expected growth in Decipher Prostate volumes. Management also cited increased investment in breast and bladder cancer tests, potentially weighing on near-term margins and growth. Q3 call highlights slower growth and added investment
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst sentiment weakened after the outlook cut: Leerink Partners downgraded VCYT to Market Perform from Outperform and lowered its price target to $35 from $55. Needham also reduced its target, to $46 from $69, while retaining a Buy rating. Veracyte downgraded after guidance cut
• Negative Sentiment: Several law firms announced investigations into potential securities claims following the company’s disclosures and sharp share-price decline. These are investigations, not findings of wrongdoing, but may add uncertainty for investors. Shareholder investigation notice

Veracyte Company Profile

Veracyte, Inc is a diagnostics company that develops genomic tests to help physicians diagnose cancer, assess disease risk and guide treatment decisions. Its tests are designed to provide additional molecular information from patient samples, often helping reduce uncertainty and support more personalized care.

The company’s portfolio includes Afirma tests for thyroid nodules, Decipher tests for prostate cancer, Percepta tests for lung cancer and Envisio tests for breast cancer. Veracyte also develops and commercializes additional genomic assays intended for use across various cancer types and clinical settings.

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, Veracyte primarily serves the U.S.