Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AARD) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AARD) has been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the thirteen analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eleven have issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $32.6364.

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Oppenheimer began coverage on shares of Aardvark Therapeutics in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $35.00 target price for the company. B. Riley Financial assumed coverage on Aardvark Therapeutics in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. They set a “buy” rating and a $32.00 price objective for the company. Raymond James Financial reissued a “strong-buy” rating and issued a $47.00 price objective on shares of Aardvark Therapeutics in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their target price on Aardvark Therapeutics from $19.00 to $18.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Aardvark Therapeutics in a research note on Friday, November 14th.

Insider Activity at Aardvark Therapeutics

In related news, CFO Nelson Sun acquired 3,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 11th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $14.40 per share, with a total value of $43,200.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 108,484 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,562,169.60. This trade represents a 2.84% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Tien-Li Lee bought 7,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 11th. The stock was bought at an average price of $14.48 per share, with a total value of $101,360.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,551,613 shares in the company, valued at $22,467,356.24. This represents a 0.45% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Aardvark Therapeutics

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its holdings in shares of Aardvark Therapeutics by 259.5% in the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 14,080 shares of the company’s stock valued at $185,000 after purchasing an additional 10,163 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Aardvark Therapeutics in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $102,000. Alps Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Aardvark Therapeutics in the 4th quarter worth approximately $235,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Aardvark Therapeutics in the 4th quarter worth approximately $273,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in Aardvark Therapeutics by 72.9% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 7,989 shares of the company’s stock worth $108,000 after buying an additional 3,369 shares during the last quarter.

Aardvark Therapeutics Stock Performance

NASDAQ:AARD opened at $12.10 on Tuesday. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $13.85 and its 200-day simple moving average is $12.14. Aardvark Therapeutics has a fifty-two week low of $4.88 and a fifty-two week high of $19.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $263.42 million and a P/E ratio of -5.71.

Aardvark Therapeutics Company Profile

Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in the discovery and development of small-molecule modulators of the retinoic acid receptor–related orphan receptor gamma (ROR?). ROR? plays a central role in T-helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation and inflammatory processes. By targeting this transcription factor, Aardvark aims to address a range of autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases.

The company’s lead programs consist of selective ROR? inverse agonists designed to suppress pathogenic Th17-driven responses in conditions such as psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease and other chronic inflammatory disorders.