What Analysts Are Saying After Spark Therapeutics Q2 Report

Photo of Chris Lange
By Chris Lange Updated Published
This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.
What Analysts Are Saying After Spark Therapeutics Q2 Report

© artisteer / iStock

Spark Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCE) took a massive hit on Tuesday that wiped out about 28% of the share price. This came in the wake of the second-quarter earnings report but really had more to do with its recent midstage hemophilia study. With this devastating blow, analysts are reeling as well, chopping their price targets as fast as they can.

24/7 Wall St. has included some brief highlights from the report, as well as what analysts have to say about the stock after the fact.

The company said that it had $2.07 in earnings per share and $25.2 million in revenue. The consensus estimates had called for a net loss of $0.43 per share and $29.4 million in revenue.

In the hemophilia Phase 1/2 trial, two out of the 12 patients had a concerning immune response, and ultimately one of the patients was hospitalized as a result.

[nativounit]

In these two patients, the clotting factor levels dropped and they had to be given on-demand treatment. The one patient that did not respond rapidly to oral steroids had to receive intravenous infusions in the hospital, which is considered a serious safety issue.

Separately, seven of the 12 patients in the trial required a course of oral steroids because of various symptoms.

Here’s what analysts said in the aftermath:

  • Barclays cut its price target to $77 from $85.
  • BMO downgraded it to Market Perform from Outperform and cut the target to $60 from $98
  • Citigroup upgraded it to a Buy rating from Neutral.
  • Mizuho cut its price target to $77 from $91.
  • Stifel cut its price target to $68 from $76.
  • SunTrust Robinson cut the price target to $61 from $102.

Shares of Spark were last seen up about 3.2% at $57.80, with a consensus analyst price target of $72.55 and a 52-week trading range of $41.06 to $96.59.

[recirclink id=484417]

[wallst_email_signup]

Photo of Chris Lange
About the Author Chris Lange →

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics.

Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications.

A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.

Continue Reading

Top Gaining Stocks

HPE Vol: 153,197,465
ENPH Vol: 8,360,053
GLW Vol: 18,152,646
APTV Vol: 6,761,325

Top Losing Stocks

TTD Vol: 21,905,513
INTU Vol: 7,383,018
CTRA Vol: 73,319,495
CBOE Vol: 5,000,011
HP
HPQ Vol: 29,259,826