Natera Surges 2.89% on $240M Volume as Institutional Buyers Pile In Stock Ranks 423rd in Market Activity Amid Analyst Upgrades

Natera (NTRA) rose 2.89% on August 15, 2025, with a trading volume of $0.24 billion, ranking 423rd in market activity. The stock’s performance coincided with institutional investment activity, as Forsta AP Fonden added 25,700 shares in Q1, while Vanguard Group and Price T Rowe Associates significantly increased holdings in recent quarters. These moves underscore growing institutional confidence in the diagnostics firm’s market position.

Analysts have maintained a bullish stance, with firms like Piper Sandler and Barclays raising price targets and reaffirming “Overweight” ratings. Evercore ISI initiated coverage with an “Outperform” rating, reflecting optimism about Natera’s product pipeline, including its Panorama prenatal test and Signatera cancer monitoring tool. However, insider transactions showed mixed signals, as CFO Michael Brophy and other insiders sold shares in the second and third quarters, reducing their stakes by 4.45% and 2.20%, respectively.

A backtest of a strategy involving the top 500 stocks by daily volume, held for one day from 2022 to 2025, yielded cumulative returns of 1.08 times the initial investment, with a total profit of $10,720. The results highlight the role of trading volume in identifying short-term opportunities, though market volatility and sector-specific dynamics influenced outcomes during the period.