Apellis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:APLS) Sees Large Volume Increase on Analyst Upgrade

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:APLS) saw strong trading volume on Wednesday after Mizuho raised their price target on the stock from $20.00 to $41.00. Mizuho currently has a neutral rating on the stock. 10,390,190 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 146% from the previous session’s volume of 4,226,844 shares.The stock last traded at $40.3950 and had previously closed at $40.23.

A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on APLS. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “sell” rating and set a $19.00 price target on shares of Apellis Pharmaceuticals in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Citigroup reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $41.00 price objective (down from $44.00) on shares of Apellis Pharmaceuticals in a research note on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Apellis Pharmaceuticals from a “buy” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, February 28th. Raymond James Financial downgraded Apellis Pharmaceuticals from a “moderate buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Wedbush reduced their target price on Apellis Pharmaceuticals from $20.00 to $18.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $34.11.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Cedric Francois sold 27,192 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.77, for a total value of $591,969.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 286,045 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,227,199.65. The trade was a 8.68% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Caroline Baumal sold 2,797 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.77, for a total value of $60,890.69. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 86,527 shares in the company, valued at $1,883,692.79. The trade was a 3.13% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 115,537 shares of company stock valued at $2,486,082 in the last 90 days. 6.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Trending Headlines about Apellis Pharmaceuticals

Here are the key news stories impacting Apellis Pharmaceuticals this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Biogen agreed to acquire Apellis for about $5.6B, bringing immediate valuation certainty (cash consideration of $41.00/share plus contingent value rights tied to SYFOVRE sales). Biogen to Acquire Apellis (Zacks)
• Positive Sentiment: Market reaction: APLS shares jumped dramatically on the deal announcement as traders priced in the buyout premium and CVR upside. APLS stock soars 140% (MSN)
• Neutral Sentiment: Several banks raised price targets to roughly $41 (Mizuho, Barclays, JPMorgan), but many gave neutral/equal-weight ratings — implying limited upside above the deal price and signaling more conservative near-term expectations. Analyst target updates (Benzinga)
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry commentary and comparisons highlight Apellis’ assets (SYFOVRE and immunology pipeline) as strategic for acquirers — useful context for longer‑term value but not an immediate catalyst beyond the acquisition. Comparing Apellis with competitors (Benzinga)
• Negative Sentiment: Major sell‑side shops have rapidly cut ratings (several downgrades from strong-buy/buy to hold/neutral), reflecting concerns about near-term growth post-sale, which could dampen secondary trading sentiment ahead of deal close. JP Morgan Downgrades Apellis (MSN)
• Negative Sentiment: Two law firms have launched shareholder investigations into the proposed sale (pricing and process), adding legal/closing‑risk uncertainty that could affect timing or terms. Shareholder investigation (PR Newswire)

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Apellis Pharmaceuticals

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its holdings in shares of Apellis Pharmaceuticals by 206.8% during the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 2,037 shares of the company’s stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 1,373 shares in the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its holdings in Apellis Pharmaceuticals by 141.2% during the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 2,682 shares of the company’s stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 1,570 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP boosted its holdings in Apellis Pharmaceuticals by 64.1% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 2,194 shares of the company’s stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 857 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in Apellis Pharmaceuticals during the third quarter valued at $64,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Apellis Pharmaceuticals by 338.5% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,429 shares of the company’s stock valued at $94,000 after buying an additional 4,191 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.29% of the company’s stock.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals Stock Up 0.0%

The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $21.87 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $22.83. The company has a market cap of $5.17 billion, a PE ratio of 310.87 and a beta of -0.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 3.14 and a quick ratio of 2.70.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:APLS) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.39) by $0.86. Apellis Pharmaceuticals had a net margin of 2.23% and a return on equity of 8.20%. The business had revenue of $199.91 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $199.28 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.29) EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will post -1.7 earnings per share for the current year.

About Apellis Pharmaceuticals

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, traded as NASDAQ:APLS, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies targeting the complement cascade for the treatment of rare and debilitating diseases. The company’s research and development efforts center on modulating complement proteins to address a range of ophthalmologic, hematologic and renal conditions. Apellis leverages its proprietary compstatin technology platform to design targeted inhibitors intended to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

The company’s lead marketed product, Syfovre (pegcetacoplan), is an intravitreal complement C3 inhibitor approved for geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration, with ongoing investigations in other retinal disorders.