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On Thursday, Jefferies analyst Michael Yee revised the price target for Fate Therapeutics (NASDAQ:FATE) shares, reducing it to $8.00 from the previous $10.00, while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock. The revision comes as the stock has experienced significant pressure, falling nearly 89% over the past year and currently trading near its 52-week low of $0.89. Yee highlighted the company’s recent management changes, including the appointment of a new CEO, and the presentation of initial promising data at the American Society of Hematology (ASH).
Fate Therapeutics has reported progress in enrolling patients and expanding sites for its ongoing Phase I/II lupus study, which features flu-free and chemo-free conditioning. According to Yee, the company is expected to release new data at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) meeting in June, followed by additional data at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) conference in October.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also opened additional autoimmune basket cohorts and re-treatment arms, which could be beneficial for the company’s research and development efforts. Despite these developments, Fate Therapeutics’ stock is currently trading at a market capitalization of approximately $103 million, significantly below its cash reserves. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company maintains strong liquidity with a current ratio of 7.58, though it’s quickly burning through cash. InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis suggests the stock may be undervalued at current levels.
Investors are keeping an eye on the company as it continues to advance its clinical programs and awaits further data releases that could potentially impact the stock’s performance in the upcoming months. InvestingPro subscribers have access to 13 additional investment tips and comprehensive analysis for FATE, along with detailed financial health scores and expert insights available in the Pro Research Report.
In other recent news, Fate Therapeutics reported its fourth quarter 2024 financial results, surpassing revenue expectations. The company posted revenue of $1.86 million, exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of $1.58 million. Adjusted earnings per share were in line with Wall Street forecasts, coming in at -$0.44. The revenue was primarily derived from preclinical development activities under its partnership with Ono Pharmaceutical (TADAWUL:2070). Fate Therapeutics ended the quarter with $306.7 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments, which it anticipates will support operations through the end of 2026. The company has made progress with its FT819 program, initiating dose expansion in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and treating its first patient with FT819 as an add-on to maintenance therapy without conditioning chemotherapy. Additionally, Fate completed a Type D meeting with the FDA, allowing for further clinical investigation of FT819 in other B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases beyond SLE. These developments reflect the company’s ongoing focus on advancing its clinical programs in autoimmunity and oncology.
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