Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $55.78 | Market Cap: $785.8 MilSector: Health Care | Industry: Biotechnology
Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $55.78Market Cap: $785.8 MilSector: Health CareIndustry: 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
| Cash is significant % of market capNet 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 returns3Y Excs Rtn is -50% | Not profitable at operating income levelOp 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% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Precision Medicine, and Aging Population & Chronic Disease. Themes include Targeted Therapies, Biopharmaceutical R&D, Show more. | Meaningful short interestShort 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 significantly6M Rtn6 month market price return is 410%, 12M Rtn12 month market price return is 256% |
| Weak revenue growthRev 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% | ||
| Not cash flow generativeCFO/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% | ||
| Valuation getting more expensiveP/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 145% | ||
| Yield minus risk free rate is negativeERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -38% | ||
| High stock price volatilityVol 12M is 185% |
| Cash is significant % of market capNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is -22% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Precision Medicine, and Aging Population & Chronic Disease. Themes include Targeted Therapies, Biopharmaceutical R&D, Show more. |
| Weak multi-year price returns3Y Excs Rtn is -50% |
| Meaningful short interestShort 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% |
| Not profitable at operating income levelOp 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% |
| Stock price has recently run up significantly6M Rtn6 month market price return is 410%, 12M Rtn12 month market price return is 256% |
| Weak revenue growthRev 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% |
| Not cash flow generativeCFO/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% |
| Valuation getting more expensiveP/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 145% |
| Yield minus risk free rate is negativeERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -38% |
| High stock price volatilityVol 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.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| NKTR Return | -21% | -21% | -83% | -75% | 65% | 293% | -83% |
| Peers Return | 65% | -12% | -15% | -55% | 52% | -41% | -49% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 112% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| NKTR Win Rate | 50% | 33% | 25% | 50% | 42% | 60% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 43% | 35% | 50% | 38% | 50% | 36% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 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
| Event | NKTR | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -98.3% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 5923.2% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -48.2% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 93.2% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -85.4% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 583.3% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -81.4% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 438.5% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 510 days | 1480 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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Asset Allocation
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Latest Trefis Analyses
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to NKTR. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11142025 | CRL | Charles River Laboratories International | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.1% | 4.1% | -3.7% |
| 11142025 | GDRX | GoodRx | Dip Buy | DB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow MarginsBuying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap | -9.8% | -9.8% | -11.8% |
| 11142025 | ASTH | Astrana Health | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 6.0% | 6.0% | -5.5% |
| 11142025 | SGRY | Surgery Partners | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 9.7% | 9.7% | -1.4% |
| 11072025 | TFX | Teleflex | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 6.2% | 6.2% | -5.1% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11142025 | CRL | Charles River Laboratories International | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.1% | 4.1% | -3.7% |
| 11142025 | GDRX | GoodRx | Dip Buy | DB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow MarginsBuying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap | -9.8% | -9.8% | -11.8% |
| 11142025 | ASTH | Astrana Health | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 6.0% | 6.0% | -5.5% |
| 11142025 | SGRY | Surgery Partners | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 9.7% | 9.7% | -1.4% |
| 11072025 | TFX | Teleflex | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 6.2% | 6.2% | -5.1% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for Nektar Therapeutics
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 6.16 |
| Mkt Cap | 0.1 |
| Rev LTM | 46 |
| Op Inc LTM | -85 |
| FCF LTM | -54 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | -83 |
| CFO LTM | -36 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | -78 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | -11.8% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | -7.8% |
| Rev Chg Q | 0.7% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 0.1% |
| Op Mgn LTM | -185.7% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | -167.0% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | -0.1% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | -171.2% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | -237.5% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | -171.6% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | -238.7% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 0.1 |
| P/S | 0.5 |
| P/EBIT | -0.4 |
| P/E | -1.0 |
| P/CFO | -0.8 |
| Total Yield | -47.2% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.0% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | -538.4% |
| D/E | 1.9 |
| Net D/E | -0.1 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | -6.4% |
| 3M Rtn | -24.9% |
| 6M Rtn | 16.1% |
| 12M Rtn | -40.4% |
| 3Y Rtn | -88.1% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | -6.4% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | -28.1% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | 1.4% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | -55.5% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -160.9% |
Segment Financials
Revenue by Segment
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novel drug candidates | 90 | ||||
| License, collaboration and other revenue | 2 | 0 | 56 | 17 | |
| Non-cash royalty revenue related to the sales of future royalties | 70 | 78 | 49 | 36 | |
| Product sales | 20 | 24 | 18 | 20 | |
| Royalty revenue | 31 | 41 | |||
| Total | 90 | 92 | 102 | 153 | 115 |
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novel drug candidates | -264 | ||||
| Total | -264 |
Returns Analyses
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 6302025 | 8082025 | 10-Q 6/30/2025 |
| 3312025 | 5092025 | 10-Q 3/31/2025 |
| 12312024 | 3142025 | 10-K 12/31/2024 |
| 9302024 | 11082024 | 10-Q 9/30/2024 |
| 6302024 | 8092024 | 10-Q 6/30/2024 |
| 3312024 | 5102024 | 10-Q 3/31/2024 |
| 12312023 | 3052024 | 10-K 12/31/2023 |
| 9302023 | 11082023 | 10-Q 9/30/2023 |
| 6302023 | 8092023 | 10-Q 6/30/2023 |
| 3312023 | 5102023 | 10-Q 3/31/2023 |
| 12312022 | 2282023 | 10-K 12/31/2022 |
| 9302022 | 11042022 | 10-Q 9/30/2022 |
| 6302022 | 8052022 | 10-Q 6/30/2022 |
| 3312022 | 5062022 | 10-Q 3/31/2022 |
| 12312021 | 3012022 | 10-K 12/31/2021 |
| 9302021 | 11052021 | 10-Q 9/30/2021 |
Industry Resources
External Quote Links
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