Akero Therapeutics exec sells over $150k in company stock

In a recent move at Akero Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKRO ), Chief Development Officer Yale Catriona sold shares worth more than $150,000. The transaction, which took place on September 20, 2024, involved the sale of 5,500 shares at an average price of $27.652 per share, totaling approximately $152,086. The sale was conducted under a prearranged 10b5-1 trading plan.

The shares sold by Catriona were part of multiple transactions, with prices ranging from $27.50 to $27.87. This weighted average price reflects the range of prices at which the shares were sold. Detailed information about the number of shares sold at each price point within this range is available upon request from the issuer, any security holder of the issuer, or the Securities and Exchange Commission staff.

In addition to the sales, the filing also disclosed that on the same date, Catriona acquired 5,500 shares of Akero Therapeutics common stock at a price of $0.615 per share, amounting to a total of $3,382.50. This acquisition was also executed in accordance with the terms of the 10b5-1 trading plan.

Following these transactions, the Chief Development Officer's ownership in the company stands at 75,294 shares of common stock and 27,959 shares underlying exercisable options. The options mentioned in the filing are vested and currently exercisable, with an expiration date set for October 17, 2028.

Investors and followers of Akero Therapeutics' executive transactions can access full details of these trades by referring to the company's latest Form 4 filing. The disclosed sales and purchases provide insights into executive sentiment and financial moves within the company, which can be a valuable piece of information for market participants.



In other recent news, Akero Therapeutics continues to make strides in its Phase 3 trial for a treatment targeting MASH patients with compensated cirrhosis. Named SYNCHRONY Outcomes, the trial evaluates the efficacy of efruxifermin (EFX) in patients with fibrosis stage 4 (F4). The initiation of the SYNCHRONY studies represents a significant step for Akero, as it now has all three Phase 3 trials of EFX underway.

H.C. Wainwright has maintained a Buy rating for Akero, reflecting a positive outlook on the company's therapeutic developments. The trial plans to enroll approximately 1,150 F4 MASH patients, who will receive weekly injections of either 50 mg EFX or a placebo. The primary focus of the trial's first cohort is to assess fibrosis regression without worsening of MASH after a 96-week treatment period.

Investors are keenly awaiting the Week 96 data release from the ongoing Phase 2b SYMMETRY study, expected in the first quarter of 2025. This data will offer insights into the long-term effects of EFX on F4 MASH patients and is seen as a critical near-term milestone for Akero and its EFX treatment. These facts underline the recent developments in Akero's business operations.
InvestingPro Insights


Akero Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKRO) has recently been the subject of notable insider trading activity, which may signal varying perspectives on the company's financial health and future prospects. To better understand the context of these transactions, it is essential to consider the company's financial metrics and analyst expectations.

InvestingPro data indicates that Akero Therapeutics currently holds a market capitalization of approximately $1.95 billion. However, the company's P/E ratio stands at -8.29, reflecting expectations of negative earnings. This is further supported by the adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, which is at -9.5. Additionally, the company's EBITDA growth during the same period has significantly decreased by 86.07%, with a Return on Assets at -26.71%. These figures suggest challenging operational performance.

Despite these hurdles, the company has shown a strong return over the last three months, with a price total return of 22.28%. This performance could be indicative of investor optimism or a reaction to specific company developments that may not be fully captured by traditional financial metrics. Moreover, the InvestingPro Tips highlight that Akero Therapeutics holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet and that its liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, which may provide some financial stability and flexibility.

On the analyst front, three analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, which could suggest that there may be positive developments not yet reflected in the market. However, it is also noted that the company is not expected to be profitable this year and has not been profitable over the last twelve months. Additionally, Akero Therapeutics does not pay a dividend, which may be a consideration for income-focused investors.

For those interested in a deeper dive into Akero Therapeutics' performance and future outlook, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available on the platform. These insights can provide further clarity on the company's position and strategic direction, which may be particularly relevant in light of the recent insider trading activity.

To explore these additional insights and understand the broader implications of the executive transactions at Akero Therapeutics, interested parties can visit the dedicated page on InvestingPro: https://www.investing.com/pro/AKRO.

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Source: Investing.com