Achmea Investment Management B.V. Increases Holdings in Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX)

Achmea Investment Management B.V. grew its holdings in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX) by 11.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 9,333 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 971 shares during the quarter. Achmea Investment Management B.V.’s holdings in Neurocrine Biosciences were worth $1,274,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System grew its stake in shares of Neurocrine Biosciences by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 28,100 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,836,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Metis Global Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of 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 during the period. Commerce Bank boosted its stake in Neurocrine Biosciences by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 4,199 shares of the company’s stock worth $484,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the period. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in Neurocrine Biosciences by 2.7% in the 3rd quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 4,302 shares of the company’s stock worth $496,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the period. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group boosted its stake in Neurocrine Biosciences by 99.1% in the 4th quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 231 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the period. 92.59% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have commented on NBIX. StockNews.com upgraded Neurocrine Biosciences from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Bank of America cut their target price on Neurocrine Biosciences from $184.00 to $179.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 7th. HC Wainwright restated a “buy” rating and issued a $185.00 target price on shares of Neurocrine Biosciences in a research note on Friday, February 21st. William Blair restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Neurocrine Biosciences in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Finally, Guggenheim lowered their price target on Neurocrine Biosciences from $165.00 to $163.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 10th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $165.24.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Kevin Charles Gorman sold 2,707 shares of Neurocrine Biosciences stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $152.92, for a total value of $413,954.44. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 517,030 shares in the company, valued at approximately $79,064,227.60. This trade represents a 0.52 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Ingrid Delaet sold 1,091 shares of Neurocrine Biosciences stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.00, for a total value of $147,285.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 2,507 shares in the company, valued at approximately $338,445. This represents a 30.32 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 234,269 shares of company stock valued at $34,053,879 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 4.30% of the company’s stock.

Neurocrine Biosciences Price Performance

Shares of Neurocrine Biosciences stock opened at $110.75 on Friday. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $129.69 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $125.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 0.35. Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. has a one year low of $105.18 and a one year high of $157.98.

Neurocrine Biosciences (NASDAQ:NBIX) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.00 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%. Sell-side analysts expect that Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. will post 4.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Neurocrine Biosciences announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Friday, February 21st that allows the company to repurchase $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 4.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are 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.