Aquestive Therapeutics AQST Surges 7.98% on Revised Price Targets, 94.9% Premium to $5.39 Close

Aquestive Therapeutics (AQST) surged 7.98% in pre-market trading on November 18, 2025, signaling strong investor confidence ahead of the official open. The rally follows a significant upward revision in analyst price targets and growing institutional backing for the biopharma company.

The stock’s one-year average price target has climbed to $10.51 per share, a 14.8% increase from the previous estimate of $9.15. This marks a 94.9% premium over AQST’s closing price of $5.39, with analysts ranging from $8.08 to $15.75. Institutional ownership has expanded notably, with 251 funds now reporting positions—a 14.6% rise in the last quarter. Portfolio allocations to AQST have grown by 41.1%, while total institutional shares increased 33.8% to 70.7 million. The put/call ratio of 0.26 underscores a robust bullish bias among traders.

Key institutional players have also reinforced their stakes. Perceptive Advisors, which previously held 2.19 million shares, increased its position by 41.8% to 3.76 million, allocating 110.8% more to AQST in the last quarter. Other major holders include Bratton Capital Management (8.04% ownership) and Rtw Investments (5.12%). The firm’s recent filing highlights a 33.8% jump in institutional shareholding over three months, reflecting heightened strategic interest.

Backtest assumptions suggest a momentum-driven strategy could capitalize on AQST’s current trajectory. Historical data indicates that stocks with rising price targets and expanding institutional ownership often outperform in the short to medium term, particularly when technical indicators align with bullish sentiment. Traders may monitor the $10.51 price target as a critical resistance level, with a breakdown potentially triggering further upward momentum.