Nektar Therapeutics 2025 Q1 Earnings Misses Targets as Net Income Drops 38%
Friday, May 9, 2025 2:36 am ET
4min read NKTR Trend
Revenue
Nektar Therapeutics experienced a substantial decline in total revenue for Q1 2025, marking a 51.7% decrease to $10.46 million from the $21.64 million recorded in the same quarter of the previous year. This downturn was primarily driven by non-cash royalty revenue associated with future royalties, which contributed the entire $10.46 million to the quarter's revenue figures.
Earnings/Net Income
Nektar Therapeutics reported a deeper net loss of $0.24 per share in Q1 2025, compared to a loss of $0.19 per share in Q1 2024, marking a 26.3% increase. The company's net loss widened to $-50.88 million, a 38.3% increase from the $-36.80 million loss in the previous year. The EPS performance was disappointing, reflecting continued financial challenges.
Price Action
The stock price of Nektar Therapeutics edged up by 1.46% during the most recent trading day, despite a sharp decline of 20.66% over the past week. Month-to-date, the stock has shown resilience, surging by 26.20%.
Post-Earnings Price Action Review
The strategy of buying Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) shares after a quarter with a revenue drop and holding them for 30 days yielded mixed results over the past five years. Between May 8, 2020, and May 8, 2025, NKTR's stock price fluctuated significantly, beginning at $10.47 and ending at $2.71, demonstrating a decline of approximately 74%. The strategy involves purchasing shares following a revenue decline, as seen from Q1 2024 to Q1 2025, where revenue dropped by about 51.7%. Holding shares for 30 days provided returns of -3.8% from May 8, 2024, to June 8, 2024, and 6.7% from June 8, 2024, to July 8, 2024. However, from July 8, 2024, to May 8, 2025, the stock price saw a significant drop of 57.3%. Overall, the strategy led to a loss of approximately 74% over the five-year period, suggesting that short-term stability was overshadowed by long-term declines. The volatility in NKTR's stock price posed moderate risk, and while the 30-day holding period offered some stability, it was insufficient to counter longer-term downturns.
NKTR Trend
CEO Commentary
Nektar Therapeutics' President and CEO, Howard Robin, emphasized the company's commitment to advancing its clinical pipeline despite financial challenges. He highlighted the $10.46 million revenue achieved through strategic divestitures and underscored the importance of ongoing Phase 2b trials for rezpegaldesleukin. Robin expressed confidence in the team's ability to navigate the competitive landscape while focusing on innovation and patient needs, projecting an optimistic outlook for future milestones.
Guidance
Nektar Therapeutics anticipates growth as clinical trials progress, projecting sustained revenue enhancement. The company expects to maintain a cash runway through 2026, supporting ongoing trials and operational needs. Despite reporting a Q1 EPS of -0.24, management believes successful trial outcomes could significantly impact future earnings and market positioning. Nektar remains committed to disciplined cost management while driving strategic initiatives forward.
Additional News
In recent developments, Nektar Therapeutics announced the completion of target enrollment in its Phase 2b clinical trial for rezpegaldesleukin, aimed at treating severe alopecia areata. The company also reached a clinical trial agreement with TrialNet to evaluate rezpegaldesleukin in new-onset type 1 diabetes patients. Furthermore, the FDA granted Fast Track designation for rezpegaldesleukin for treating moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in patients aged 12 and older. These strategic advancements highlight Nektar's focus on expanding its clinical pipeline and enhancing its therapeutic offerings amid industry challenges.
