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Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $55.78 | Market Cap: $785.8 Mil
Sector: Health Care | Industry: Biotechnology

Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $55.78
Market Cap: $785.8 Mil
Sector: Health Care
Industry: Biotechnology

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?

1. Generates cash flow

The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.

2. Riding a trend

Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow


0 Cash is significant % of market cap
Net D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is -22%
Weak multi-year price returns
3Y Excs Rtn is -50%
Not profitable at operating income level
Op Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -139 Mil, Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is -186%
1 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Precision Medicine, and Aging Population & Chronic Disease. Themes include Targeted Therapies, Biopharmaceutical R&D, Show more.
Meaningful short interest
Short Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 13%
Stock price has recently run up significantly
6M Rtn6 month market price return is 410%, 12M Rtn12 month market price return is 256%
2   Weak revenue growth
Rev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -20%, Rev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is -7.4%, Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -52%
3   Not cash flow generative
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -247%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -248%
4   Valuation getting more expensive
P/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 145%
5   Yield minus risk free rate is negative
ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -38%
6   High stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 185%
0 Cash is significant % of market cap
Net D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is -22%
1 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Precision Medicine, and Aging Population & Chronic Disease. Themes include Targeted Therapies, Biopharmaceutical R&D, Show more.
2 Weak multi-year price returns
3Y Excs Rtn is -50%
3 Meaningful short interest
Short Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 13%
4 Not profitable at operating income level
Op Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -139 Mil, Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is -186%
5 Stock price has recently run up significantly
6M Rtn6 month market price return is 410%, 12M Rtn12 month market price return is 256%
6 Weak revenue growth
Rev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -20%, Rev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is -7.4%, Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -52%
7 Not cash flow generative
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -247%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -248%
8 Valuation getting more expensive
P/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 145%
9 Yield minus risk free rate is negative
ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -38%
10 High stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 185%

Valuation, Metrics & Events

NKTR Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

Here are the key points explaining Nektar Therapeutics' stock movement from August 31, 2025, to December 4, 2025: 1. 1. Continued Positive Clinical Data for Rezpegaldesleukin in Atopic Dermatitis
Nektar Therapeutics presented new data from the REZOLVE-AD Phase 2b study of rezpegaldesleukin at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in September 2025. These data demonstrated a deepening of clinical effect with extended dosing in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, reinforcing previously reported strong positive results. 2. 2. FDA Fast Track Designation for Rezpegaldesleukin in Alopecia Areata
In July 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation for rezpegaldesleukin for the treatment of severe alopecia areata (AA). This regulatory milestone likely contributed to continued positive investor sentiment within the period, signaling accelerated development and review potential for another significant indication. 3.

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Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
NKTR Return-21%-21%-83%-75%65%293%-83%
Peers Return65%-12%-15%-55%52%-41%-49%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%16%112%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
NKTR Win Rate50%33%25%50%42%60% 
Peers Win Rate43%35%50%38%50%36% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%70% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
NKTR Max Drawdown-33%-36%-85%-81%-13%-47% 
Peers Max Drawdown-42%-44%-42%-76%-34%-81% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: ACRS, LFVN, KPTI, FGEN, VERU. See NKTR Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventNKTRS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-98.3%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven5923.2%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-48.2%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven93.2%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-85.4%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven583.3%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days120 days
2008 Global Financial Crisis2008 Global Financial Crisis  
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Loss% Loss-81.4%-56.8%
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven438.5%131.3%
2008 Global Financial CrisisTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven510 days1480 days

Compare to ACRS, LFVN, KPTI, FGEN, VERU


In The Past

Nektar Therapeutics's stock fell -98.3% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 2/17/2021. A -98.3% loss requires a 5923.2% gain to breakeven.

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About Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR)

Better Bets than Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR)

Latest Trefis Analyses

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to NKTR. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CRL_11142025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11142025CRLCharles River Laboratories InternationalDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
4.1%4.1%-3.7%
GDRX_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE11142025GDRXGoodRxDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
-9.8%-9.8%-11.8%
ASTH_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11142025ASTHAstrana HealthDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
6.0%6.0%-5.5%
SGRY_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11142025SGRYSurgery PartnersDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
9.7%9.7%-1.4%
TFX_11072025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11072025TFXTeleflexDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
6.2%6.2%-5.1%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CRL_11142025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11142025CRLCharles River Laboratories InternationalDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
4.1%4.1%-3.7%
GDRX_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE11142025GDRXGoodRxDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
-9.8%-9.8%-11.8%
ASTH_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11142025ASTHAstrana HealthDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
6.0%6.0%-5.5%
SGRY_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11142025SGRYSurgery PartnersDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
9.7%9.7%-1.4%
TFX_11072025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11072025TFXTeleflexDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
6.2%6.2%-5.1%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Nektar Therapeutics

Peers to compare with:

Financials

NKTRACRSLFVNKPTIFGENVERUMedian
NameNektar T.Aclaris .Lifevant.Karyopha.FibroGen Veru  
Mkt Price57.132.786.865.468.122.426.16
Mkt Cap0.80.30.10.00.00.00.1
Rev LTM7516229143-731746
Op Inc LTM-139-6612-104-115-38-85
FCF LTM-186-809-89-24-29-54
FCF 3Y Avg-202-638-104-182-52-83
CFO LTM-185-4310-89-23-29-36
CFO 3Y Avg-201-5010-104-181-52-78

Growth & Margins

NKTRACRSLFVNKPTIFGENVERUMedian
NameNektar T.Aclaris .Lifevant.Karyopha.FibroGen Veru  
Rev Chg LTM-19.6%-41.9%16.8%-4.0%-895.7%337.2%-11.8%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg-7.4%-8.1%4.2%-14.6%-350.6%63.9%-7.8%
Rev Chg Q-52.4%-24.1%0.7%13.6%35.1%-0.7%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM-14.1%-6.2%0.2%3.8%0.5%0.0%0.1%
Op Mgn LTM-185.7%-418.1%5.2%-73.1%--227.1%-185.7%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg-167.0%-394.1%3.4%-81.3%--686.8%-167.0%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM-25.4%-70.0%-0.1%10.9%-15.5%-0.1%
CFO/Rev LTM-246.8%-272.6%4.4%-62.7%--171.2%-171.2%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg-237.5%-253.9%4.7%-71.0%--509.0%-237.5%
FCF/Rev LTM-248.3%-505.8%3.8%-62.7%--171.6%-171.6%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg-238.7%-333.9%3.7%-71.0%--512.8%-238.7%

Valuation

NKTRACRSLFVNKPTIFGENVERUMedian
NameNektar T.Aclaris .Lifevant.Karyopha.FibroGen Veru  
Mkt Cap0.80.30.10.00.00.00.1
P/S4.914.80.50.4-0.10.5
P/EBIT-4.1-3.510.1-0.7-0.2-0.0-0.4
P/E-3.0-1.611.9-0.5-10.4-0.0-1.0
P/CFO-2.0-5.411.9-0.6-0.9-0.0-0.8
Total Yield-33.6%-60.8%8.9%-219.8%-9.6%-3,835.7%-47.2%
Dividend Yield0.0%0.0%0.5%0.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg-114.6%-25.2%7.5%-962.2%-2,944.5%-2,183.1%-538.4%
D/E0.30.00.13.53.43.81.9
Net D/E-0.2-0.4-0.02.72.4-13.8-0.1

Returns

NKTRACRSLFVNKPTIFGENVERUMedian
NameNektar T.Aclaris .Lifevant.Karyopha.FibroGen Veru  
1M Rtn-4.7%8.6%-5.9%-10.0%-26.2%-6.9%-6.4%
3M Rtn100.1%35.0%-48.9%-22.9%-32.1%-26.9%-24.9%
6M Rtn410.3%72.7%-45.4%25.8%6.5%-62.9%16.1%
12M Rtn256.0%-27.7%-53.0%-55.1%-20.8%-65.9%-40.4%
3Y Rtn24.9%-83.3%101.3%-92.9%-98.0%-95.6%-88.1%
1M Excs Rtn-4.6%8.6%-5.9%-10.0%-26.2%-6.9%-6.4%
3M Excs Rtn53.4%29.0%-53.9%-24.3%-33.6%-32.0%-28.1%
6M Excs Rtn395.6%58.0%-60.1%11.1%-8.3%-77.7%1.4%
12M Excs Rtn220.5%-45.2%-65.7%-70.5%-37.1%-79.4%-55.5%
3Y Excs Rtn-49.9%-156.4%30.6%-165.4%-170.5%-168.3%-160.9%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20242023202220212020
Novel drug candidates90    
License, collaboration and other revenue 205617
Non-cash royalty revenue related to the sales of future royalties 70784936
Product sales 20241820
Royalty revenue   3141
Total9092102153115


Operating Income by Segment
$ Mil20242023202220212020
Novel drug candidates-264    
Total-264    


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date11142025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity1,813,497
Short Interest: % Change Since 1031202523.2%
Average Daily Volume756,102
Days-to-Cover Short Interest2.40
Basic Shares Quantity14,087,307
Short % of Basic Shares12.9%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
6302025808202510-Q 6/30/2025
3312025509202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024314202510-K 12/31/2024
93020241108202410-Q 9/30/2024
6302024809202410-Q 6/30/2024
3312024510202410-Q 3/31/2024
12312023305202410-K 12/31/2023
93020231108202310-Q 9/30/2023
6302023809202310-Q 6/30/2023
3312023510202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022228202310-K 12/31/2022
93020221104202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022805202210-Q 6/30/2022
3312022506202210-Q 3/31/2022
12312021301202210-K 12/31/2021
93020211105202110-Q 9/30/2021