Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC Sells 1,309 Shares of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX)

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC cut its stake in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX) by 5.9% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 20,911 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,309 shares during the period. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC’s holdings in Neurocrine Biosciences were worth $2,854,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Brooklyn Investment Group lifted its stake in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences by 99.1% in the fourth quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 231 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences by 53.5% in the fourth quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 373 shares of the company’s stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 130 shares in the last quarter. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences in the fourth quarter valued at $61,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences by 211.6% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 455 shares of the company’s stock valued at $62,000 after buying an additional 309 shares in the last quarter. 92.59% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on NBIX shares. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Neurocrine Biosciences in a research note on Friday, February 7th. William Blair reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Neurocrine Biosciences in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Neurocrine Biosciences in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $138.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Neurocrine Biosciences from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, December 23rd. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group dropped their price target on shares of Neurocrine Biosciences from $172.00 to $163.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $165.24.

Neurocrine Biosciences Stock Performance

NASDAQ NBIX opened at $111.92 on Friday. Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. has a 52-week low of $105.18 and a 52-week high of $157.98. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $126.90 and a 200 day simple moving average of $125.15. The company has a market capitalization of $11.16 billion, a PE ratio of 34.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 0.35.

Neurocrine Biosciences (NASDAQ:NBIX) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 forecast that Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. will post 4.28 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Neurocrine Biosciences declared that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Friday, February 21st that allows the company to repurchase $500.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to buy up to 4.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually a sign that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Transactions at Neurocrine Biosciences

In other news, Director Kevin Charles Gorman sold 2,707 shares of Neurocrine Biosciences stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.92, for a total value of $413,954.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 517,030 shares in the company, valued at $79,064,227.60. This trade represents a 0.52 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Ingrid Delaet sold 272 shares of Neurocrine Biosciences stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.10, for a total transaction of $37,563.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 2,507 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $346,216.70. The trade was a 9.79 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 233,178 shares of company stock worth $33,906,594 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 4.30% of the company’s stock.

About Neurocrine Biosciences

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.