Stocks

Geron (NASDAQ:GERN) Shares Down 2% - Should You Sell?

Published March 16, 2025

Geron Co. (NASDAQ:GERN) experienced a 2% decrease in its stock price during trading on Friday, dipping as low as $1.64 before closing at the same price. In total, 2,307,806 shares changed hands during this mid-day trading session, which is notably lower than the average volume of 11,339,304 shares, marking an 80% decline. The previous closing price was $1.67.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently shared their perspectives on GERN shares. B. Riley downgraded Geron from a "buy" to a "neutral" rating and adjusted their target price down from $3.50 to $2.00 in a report issued on February 27. Stifel Nicolaus also lowered their target price from $8.00 to $4.00 while maintaining a "buy" rating. Similarly, Barclays reaffirmed an "overweight" rating but reduced their target price from $9.00 to $4.00 in a report on the same day. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a "buy" rating with a price target of $5.00. HC Wainwright maintained a "neutral" rating. Presently, one analyst has assigned a sell rating, three have suggested holding, eight have indicated a buy rating, and one has given a strong buy rating, leading to a consensus of "Moderate Buy" with a price target averaging $5.68 according to data from MarketBeat.

Geron Price Performance

The performance of Geron stock has generated interest, particularly following the FDA panel approval for their drug, Imetelstat, which had a significant impact, causing the stock price to double. Financially, the company shows a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 2.89, and a quick ratio of 2.74. It has a market capitalization of approximately $1.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.11, and a beta of 0.53. On February 26, Geron reported their quarterly earnings, showing earnings per share of -$0.04, aligning with analyst expectations. The revenue for the quarter came in at $47.54 million, exceeding average estimates of $45.29 million. The company currently forecasts a negative net margin of 682.48% and a negative return on equity of 67.53% for the year, predicting an earnings per share of -0.25.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Geron

Several institutional investors have adjusted their holdings in Geron recently. For instance, Alternative Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in the company by 13.3% during the third quarter, now owning 22,209 shares worth $101,000. Rovin Capital UT ADV boosted its holdings by 26.9% in the fourth quarter, now holding 17,270 shares valued at $61,000. Xponance Inc. raised its position by 12.9%, bringing its total to 42,401 shares worth $150,000. US Bancorp DE significantly increased its stake by 68.4%, now owning 18,296 shares valued at $83,000 after acquiring additional shares. KBC Group NV also lifted its position by 45.1%, now owning a total of 24,414 shares valued at $86,000. Currently, institutional investors hold 73.71% of Geron's stock.

About Geron

Geron Corporation is a late-stage biopharmaceutical firm dedicated to the development and commercialization of therapeutic solutions for myeloid hematologic malignancies. The company is known for Imetelstat, a telomerase inhibitor in Phase 3 clinical trials aimed at treating low or intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes, as well as intermediate-2 or high-risk myelofibrosis.

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