Crispr Therapeutics CEO sells over $1.4m in company stock
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CRISPR Therapeutics AG (NASDAQ:CRSP) has reported that its CEO, Samarth Kulkarni, sold a total of $1,449,628 worth of company stock, according to a recent SEC filing. The transactions occurred on March 15, 2024, and involved shares sold at weighted average prices ranging from $71.47 to $73.43.
The filing detailed that Kulkarni sold 10,613 shares at a weighted average price of $71.9693 and another 9,387 shares at an average price of $73.0604. These sales were executed under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, which allows company insiders to set up a predetermined plan to sell stocks at a specific time, reducing the potential for insider trading accusations.
On the same day, Kulkarni also acquired 20,000 shares at a price of $19.12 per share, amounting to a transaction total of $382,400 for non-derivative securities. This transaction was related to the exercise of stock options that were granted on December 1, 2017, and vested over time.
Following these transactions, Kulkarni’s direct ownership in CRISPR Therapeutics AG stands at 208,122 common shares. Additionally, the SEC filing mentioned a non-derivative holding of 200,000 common shares indirectly owned through The Kulkarni 2023 GRAT, an irrevocable trust.
Investors and market watchers often scrutinize Form 4 filings for insights into executives’ perspectives on their company’s stock, as buying and selling activities can suggest confidence or concern over the firm’s future prospects. However, trades under Rule 10b5-1 plans typically indicate pre-planned financial management rather than spontaneous market moves.
CRISPR Therapeutics, headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, is known for its work in gene editing technology and has been a key player in the biotechnology industry. As of the latest update, the company has not issued any public statement regarding the CEO’s stock transactions.
InvestingPro Insights
Amidst the news of CRISPR Therapeutics AG’s (NASDAQ:CRSP) CEO Samarth Kulkarni’s recent stock transactions, investors might find the following InvestingPro insights particularly relevant. The company, known for its pioneering work in gene editing, holds a market capitalization of $5.74 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the biotech industry. Despite the challenges, CRISPR Therapeutics AG has a notable cash position, as it holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, an InvestingPro Tip that may provide some reassurance to investors concerned about the company’s financial health.
Another InvestingPro Tip highlights that 9 analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, suggesting a potential positive outlook on the company’s performance. However, it’s important to note that analysts also anticipate a sales decline in the current year and do not expect the company to be profitable within this timeframe. This mixed sentiment is mirrored in the company’s financial metrics, with a negative P/E Ratio of -37.47 and a challenging Gross Profit Margin of -39.43% for the last twelve months as of Q4 2023.
Despite these headwinds, CRISPR Therapeutics AG has experienced strong returns, with a 59.49% one-year price total return and a significant 53.13% price increase over the last six months. The company’s stock price movements have been quite volatile, a factor that speculative investors might find attractive.
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