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Jonathan Young, Chief Operating Officer of Akero Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKRO), sold 12,500 shares of common stock on August 12, 2025, in multiple transactions. The sales were executed at prices ranging from $47.21 to $48.61, resulting in total proceeds of $597,325. The transaction comes as AKRO shares have gained 73% year-to-date, despite a recent 8.5% decline over the past week. According to InvestingPro data, analysts maintain a highly bullish outlook with price targets ranging from $60 to $109.
On the same day, Young also exercised options to acquire 12,500 shares of Akero Therapeutics common stock at a price of $21.1 per share, for a total value of $263,750. The exercise price represents a significant discount to the current market value of $48.32, reflecting the strong performance of AKRO shares, which have nearly doubled in value over the past year.
Following these transactions, Young directly owns 197,484 shares of Akero Therapeutics. Additionally, he indirectly owns 60,000 shares held in irrevocable trusts for the benefit of his children. These holdings represent a substantial stake in the company, which currently maintains a market capitalization of $3.86 billion and carries a FAIR financial health rating according to InvestingPro metrics.
In other recent news, Akero Therapeutics has been in the spotlight with several noteworthy developments. The company recently presented compelling data at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), with positive results from a placebo-controlled study on F4 cirrhosis. This data, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, highlights the potential of Akero’s FGF21 therapy. Analysts at Jefferies maintain a Buy rating with a $75 price target, seeing a substantial market opportunity for the company. Meanwhile, Citi analysts have adjusted their outlook, reducing Akero’s price target from $80 to $78 while maintaining a Buy rating, following the release of detailed clinical data from the Phase 2b SYMMETRY trial.
Morgan Stanley has reiterated an Overweight rating for Akero with an $84 price target, noting the company’s stronger competitive position after Novo Nordisk discontinued its MASH treatment development. Additionally, TD Cowen initiated coverage on Akero with a Buy rating and a $76 price target, emphasizing the company’s FGF21 analog efruxifermin’s strong efficacy data. These developments underscore the growing interest in Akero’s potential in the MASH treatment space.
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