Insider Selling: United Therapeutics Co. (NASDAQ:UTHR) COO Sells 10,000 Shares of Stock

United Therapeutics Co. (NASDAQ:UTHR) COO Michael Benkowitz sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $353.64, for a total transaction of $3,536,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 2,577 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $911,330.28. This trade represents a 79.51 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Michael Benkowitz also recently made the following trade(s):

• On Monday, January 27th, Michael Benkowitz sold 10,000 shares of United Therapeutics stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $370.71, for a total transaction of $3,707,100.00.
• On Tuesday, January 21st, Michael Benkowitz sold 10,000 shares of United Therapeutics stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $364.91, for a total transaction of $3,649,100.00.
• On Monday, January 13th, Michael Benkowitz sold 10,000 shares of United Therapeutics stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $364.62, for a total value of $3,646,200.00.
• On Monday, December 30th, Michael Benkowitz sold 10,000 shares of United Therapeutics stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.68, for a total value of $3,566,800.00.
• On Monday, December 23rd, Michael Benkowitz sold 10,000 shares of United Therapeutics stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $361.95, for a total value of $3,619,500.00.
• On Monday, November 25th, Michael Benkowitz sold 10,000 shares of United Therapeutics stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $372.75, for a total transaction of $3,727,500.00.
• On Monday, November 11th, Michael Benkowitz sold 15,000 shares of United Therapeutics stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $407.32, for a total transaction of $6,109,800.00.
• On Thursday, November 7th, Michael Benkowitz sold 15,000 shares of United Therapeutics stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $401.44, for a total transaction of $6,021,600.00.

United Therapeutics Stock Performance

Shares of UTHR opened at $353.75 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $363.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of $357.63. United Therapeutics Co. has a 52 week low of $208.62 and a 52 week high of $417.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.54, a P/E/G ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.57.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Therapeutics

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Therapeutics during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. USA Financial Formulas acquired a new stake in United Therapeutics during the third quarter worth $33,000. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in United Therapeutics in the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of United Therapeutics in the 3rd quarter valued at $82,000. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its holdings in shares of United Therapeutics by 31.9% during the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 240 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $85,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.08% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have commented on UTHR. Argus increased their target price on shares of United Therapeutics from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Oppenheimer increased their price objective on United Therapeutics from $575.00 to $600.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, October 31st. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH boosted their target price on United Therapeutics from $319.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 31st. StockNews.com upgraded United Therapeutics from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of United Therapeutics from $415.00 to $475.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $382.08.

About United Therapeutics

United Therapeutics Corporation, a biotechnology company, engages in the development and commercialization of products to address the unmet medical needs of patients with chronic and life-threatening diseases in the United States and internationally. The company offers Tyvaso DPI, an inhaled dry powder via pre-filled and single-use cartridges; Tyvaso, an inhaled solution via ultrasonic nebulizer; Remodulin (treprostinil) injection to treat patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to diminish symptoms associated with exercise; Orenitram, a tablet dosage form of treprostinil, to delay disease progression and improve exercise capacity in PAH patients; and Adcirca, an oral PDE-5 inhibitor to enhance the exercise ability in PAH patients.