A/S Genmab has significantly increased its stake in Merus N.V. by acquiring 212,177 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock on December 18, 2023. The shares were purchased at an average price of $97.00 each, amounting to a total investment of $20,581,169. Following this transaction, Genmab now holds 71,946,801 shares in Merus, which translates to an estimated value of $6,978,839,697 and reflects a 0.30% increase in their overall position.
The acquisition was reported in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which mandates that major shareholders owning 10% or more of a company’s shares disclose their trading activities. This regulation ensures transparency in significant stock transactions, providing investors and analysts with critical insights into shareholder movements.
Merus Stock Performance and Recent Trends
On the day following Genmab’s acquisition, Merus shares experienced a slight decline, trading down by 0.1% to $96.95 during mid-day trading on Monday. The stock recorded a trading volume of 501,154 shares, which is below its average volume of 1,271,123 shares. As of this date, Merus maintains a market capitalization of approximately $7.35 billion and has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of -18.29. The stock has shown considerable volatility over the past year, with a twelve-month low of $33.19 and a high of $97.14.
The stock’s performance can be assessed through its moving averages. The fifty-day moving average stands at $95.66, while the two-hundred-day moving average is at $76.05. These figures suggest a general upward trend in the stock’s value over the medium to long term.
Institutional Investments in Merus
Recent trends indicate robust activity among institutional investors regarding Merus shares. Notable changes include an increase of 12.3% in Avoro Capital Advisors LLC’s position during the third quarter, bringing their total holdings to 3,542,500 shares valued at $333,526,000. Similarly, Paradigm Biocapital Advisors LP expanded its stake by 99.4% in the first quarter, now holding 3,369,699 shares worth $141,831,000.
Holocene Advisors LP also increased its position by 18.8%, owning 2,225,241 shares valued at approximately $117,048,000. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP raised its holdings by 4.4%, now controlling 2,132,489 shares valued at $200,774,000. Lastly, Woodline Partners LP enhanced its stake by 8.5%, acquiring 1,674,167 shares worth $157,623,000.
As of now, institutional investors collectively own 96.14% of Merus’s shares, indicating strong confidence in the company’s future prospects.
Merus N.V. is recognized as a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company that specializes in developing bispecific antibody therapeutics aimed at treating cancer. Leveraging its proprietary Biclonics® platform, Merus designs fully human bispecific antibodies intended to engage immune cells while targeting tumors simultaneously. The company’s ongoing research is focused on developing innovative therapies characterized by enhanced potency, selectivity, and safety profiles. The Merus pipeline includes multiple candidates in various stages of both preclinical and clinical development, positioning the company as a significant player in the biotech industry.
