Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX) Shares Sold by Securian Asset Management Inc.

Securian Asset Management Inc. lessened its holdings in Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX) by 2.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,654 shares of the company’s stock after selling 198 shares during the period. Securian Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Neurocrine Biosciences were worth $1,045,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System lifted its stake in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 28,100 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,836,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC lifted its stake in Neurocrine Biosciences by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 2,548 shares of the company’s stock worth $348,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. Commerce Bank lifted its stake in Neurocrine Biosciences by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 4,199 shares of the company’s stock worth $484,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in Neurocrine Biosciences by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 4,302 shares of the company’s stock worth $496,000 after acquiring an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group lifted its stake in Neurocrine Biosciences by 99.1% during the 4th quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 231 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.59% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Julie Cooke sold 1,551 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.78, for a total transaction of $181,125.78. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 19,544 shares in the company, valued at $2,282,348.32. This trade represents a 7.35 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Matt Abernethy sold 2,558 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.86, for a total value of $298,927.88. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 34,775 shares in the company, valued at $4,063,806.50. This represents a 6.85 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 234,269 shares of company stock worth $34,053,879 in the last quarter. 4.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

NBIX has been the topic of several research reports. Bank of America decreased their target price on Neurocrine Biosciences from $184.00 to $179.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Wedbush decreased their target price on Neurocrine Biosciences from $157.00 to $147.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 7th. StockNews.com raised Neurocrine Biosciences from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday. William Blair reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Neurocrine Biosciences in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $150.00 price target (down previously from $185.00) on shares of Neurocrine Biosciences in a research report on Friday, March 7th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $165.24.

Neurocrine Biosciences Stock Performance

NBIX opened at $110.75 on Friday. Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. has a one year low of $105.18 and a one year high of $157.98. The company has a market cap of $11.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.66, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 0.35. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $129.69 and its 200-day simple moving average is $125.88.

Neurocrine Biosciences (NASDAQ:NBIX) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.62 by ($0.62). Neurocrine Biosciences had a return on equity of 13.38% and a net margin of 14.49%. As a group, analysts predict that Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. will post 4.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Neurocrine Biosciences declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Friday, February 21st that authorizes the company to repurchase $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 4.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Neurocrine Biosciences Profile

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc discovers, develops, and markets pharmaceuticals for neurological, neuroendocrine, and neuropsychiatric disorders in the United States and internationally. The company’s products include INGREZZA for tardive dyskinesia and chorea associated with Huntington’s disease; ALKINDI for adrenal insufficiency; Efmody capsules for classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia; Orilissa tablets for endometriosis; and Oriahnn capsules to treat uterine fibroids.