Zacks Small Cap Issues Optimistic Estimate for LGND Earnings

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:LGND) – Equities researchers at Zacks Small Cap increased their FY2026 EPS estimates for Ligand Pharmaceuticals in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, December 16th. Zacks Small Cap analyst J. Vandermosten now anticipates that the biotechnology company will post earnings per share of $5.00 for the year, up from their prior estimate of $4.60. The consensus estimate for Ligand Pharmaceuticals’ current full-year earnings is $1.73 per share.

Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on LGND. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Ligand Pharmaceuticals from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday. Oppenheimer upped their target price on Ligand Pharmaceuticals from $135.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. HC Wainwright reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Ligand Pharmaceuticals in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Benchmark upped their price objective on shares of Ligand Pharmaceuticals from $110.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Ligand Pharmaceuticals from $141.00 to $143.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $147.00.

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Trading Down 1.6 %

Ligand Pharmaceuticals stock opened at $120.43 on Tuesday. Ligand Pharmaceuticals has a 1-year low of $67.36 and a 1-year high of $129.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.28 billion, a PE ratio of 47.98 and a beta of 1.01. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $114.39 and its 200 day simple moving average is $102.59.

Insider Activity at Ligand Pharmaceuticals

In other news, COO Matthew E. Korenberg sold 9,772 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $101.22, for a total transaction of $989,121.84. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 50,777 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,139,647.94. This trade represents a 16.14 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Octavio Espinoza sold 1,275 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.94, for a total value of $132,523.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 24,610 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,557,963.40. This trade represents a 4.93 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 21,728 shares of company stock valued at $2,271,575. Corporate insiders own 5.90% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ligand Pharmaceuticals

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Ligand Pharmaceuticals in the second quarter worth approximately $31,000. Rothschild Investment LLC bought a new stake in Ligand Pharmaceuticals in the 2nd quarter worth $34,000. Headlands Technologies LLC increased its position in shares of Ligand Pharmaceuticals by 21.7% in the second quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 758 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $64,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Ligand Pharmaceuticals by 23.3% during the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 661 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $64,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Ligand Pharmaceuticals during the second quarter worth about $67,000. 91.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Ligand Pharmaceuticals

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the development and licensing of biopharmaceutical assets worldwide. Its commercial programs include Kyprolis and Evomela, which are used to treat multiple myeloma; Rylaze, a recombinant erwinia asparaginase for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoblastic lymphoma in adult and pediatric patients; Filspari, a dual endothelin and angiotensin II receptor antagonist in development for rare kidney diseases and non-immunosuppressive treatment indicated for immunoglobulin A nephropathy; Teriparatide injection product for osteoporosis; Vaxneuvance for the prevention of invasive disease caused by streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes; and Pneumosil, a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to help fight against pneumococcal pneumonia among children.