Esperion Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ESPR) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume – Here’s What Happened

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESPR) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 4,976,937 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 45% from the previous session’s volume of 9,002,371 shares.The stock last traded at $3.1750 and had previously closed at $3.16.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently commented on ESPR. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Esperion Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. HC Wainwright cut Esperion Therapeutics from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $3.16 price objective for the company. in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Needham & Company LLC downgraded Esperion Therapeutics from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Wall Street Zen raised Esperion Therapeutics from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, March 14th. Finally, Citizens Jmp cut Esperion Therapeutics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $5.54.

Esperion Therapeutics Stock Performance

The stock’s 50-day moving average is $3.05 and its 200 day moving average is $3.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $815.60 million, a PE ratio of -52.75 and a beta of 1.07.

Esperion Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ESPR) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 8th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.10) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.02) by ($0.08). The company had revenue of $80.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $84.52 million. Esperion Therapeutics had a net margin of 0.12% and a negative return on equity of 0.14%.

Insider Transactions at Esperion Therapeutics

In other Esperion Therapeutics news, CFO Benjamin Halladay sold 10,773 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.15, for a total value of $33,934.95. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 702,829 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,213,911.35. The trade was a 1.51% 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, insider Benjamin Looker sold 11,824 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.15, for a total value of $37,245.60. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 667,524 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,102,700.60. The trade was a 1.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 1.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Esperion Therapeutics

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ESPR. R Squared Ltd grew its position in Esperion Therapeutics by 23.5% during the 4th quarter. R Squared Ltd now owns 15,173 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 2,890 shares during the last quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Esperion Therapeutics by 10.2% in the fourth quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 38,955 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $144,000 after buying an additional 3,614 shares during the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Esperion Therapeutics by 49.0% during the fourth quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 11,617 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 3,822 shares during the period. Eaton Financial Holdings Company LLC boosted its stake in shares of Esperion Therapeutics by 9.4% during the fourth quarter. Eaton Financial Holdings Company LLC now owns 46,595 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $172,000 after buying an additional 4,000 shares during the period. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Esperion Therapeutics by 18.5% during the fourth quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 28,338 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $105,000 after buying an additional 4,422 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 47.39% of the company’s stock.

Esperion Therapeutics Company Profile

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of oral, low–density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)–lowering therapies. The company’s research and development efforts center on small-molecule compounds designed to address atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by targeting cholesterol biosynthesis pathways. Esperion seeks to provide novel treatment options for patients who require additional LDL-C reduction beyond what is achieved with statins or who are statin-intolerant.

The company’s lead products include NEXLETOL (bempedoic acid), an oral adenosine triphosphate–citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitor approved by the U.S.