Health care stocks have been on a run and some are near buy points. Natera (NTRA), a genetic testing company, is one example of that, and so it is today’s selection for IBD 50 Stocks To Watch.
prescription to succeed in the market may make your head spin. On this episode of “Industry Insights,” we’ll discuss what factors to consider with biotech stocks. We also examine how FDA approvals influence sector performance over the long term.” data-nosnippet=”true” data-permalink=”https://www.investors.com/ibd-videos/videos/biotech-stocks-shooting-higher-how-you-can-play-them” jw-video-key=”pXpNIwoM” vid-authors=”MEREDITH HEYMAN” vid-cat=”Industry Insights” vid-date=”12/19/2023″ vid-date-tmsp=”1702977121″ vid-dom-id=”8842779-65f85f028407d” vid-id=”8842779″ vid-image=”https://10xwealthreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/echo/pXpNIwoM-640×360.jpg” vid-name=”Biotech Stocks Are Shooting Higher. Here’s How You Can Play Them.” vid-repeat=”1″ vid-top=”false” vid-url=”https://content.jwplatform.com/manifests/pXpNIwoM.m3u8″ vid-width=”50″> X
Shares of Natera gapped up in strong volume after fourth-quarter earnings on Feb. 29 and is holding its gains. Meanwhile, Natera’s weekly chart on IBD MarketSurge shows a three-weeks-tight pattern that has a buy point of 93.48.
Natera stock has a Composite Rating of 87 but its EPS Rating lags at 47. However, the company has outperformed the lion’s share of stocks in the Investors Business Daily database and holds a Relative Strength Rating of 96.
Sales Grow 43% In Fourth Quarter
Growth in sales for Natera has ranged between 25% and 43% over the last eight quarters. Sales grew 43% in the fourth quarter to $311.1 million.
Natera showed a loss of 65 cents in the fourth quarter. That was less than half a loss of $1.37 per share in the prior-year quarter. For the upcoming year, the company expects sales of $1.34 billion at the midpoint.
Year to date, the stock has gained 42% vs. the S&P 500’s gains of 7%.
Mutual Funds Buying Natera Stock
Natera provides genetic testing by examining molecules in blood samples and other body fluids for difference medical procedures such as prenatal screening, cancer care and kidney transplantation, among others.
Mutual funds own 82% of outstanding shares. Mutual funds have been net buyers in recent weeks as well, giving Natera an Accumulation/Distribution Rating of A.
The Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund (CMSCX) and the Columbia Acorn Fund (ACRNX) hold shares of Natera stock.
Please follow VRamakrishnan on X/Twitter for more news on the stock market today.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
Top Growth Stocks To Buy And Watch
Learn How To Time The Market With IBD’s ETF Market Strategy
Find The Best Long-Term Investments With IBD Long-Term Leaders
MarketSmith: Research, Charts, Data And Coaching All In One Place
How To Research Growth Stocks: Why This IBD Tool Simplifies The Search For Top Stocks
