NKTR
HealthcareNektar Therapeutics · Biotechnology · $1B
What is Nektar Therapeutics?
Nektar Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Francisco, focused on developing novel medicines for serious diseases with significant unmet medical need.
Nektar advances a pipeline of drug candidates through clinical trials, primarily targeting cancer and autoimmune conditions. Revenue comes largely from collaboration agreements with larger pharmaceutical partners rather than commercial product sales. The company applies proprietary chemistry platforms to engineer differentiated biologics and small molecules.
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in San Francisco, Nektar has built a pipeline centered on immunology and oncology.
- Bempegaldesleukin — IL-2 pathway agonist in oncology trials
- NKTR-358 — Treg stimulant for autoimmune diseases
- NKTR-255 — IL-15 receptor agonist for blood cancers
- NKTR-262 — toll-like receptor agonist for solid tumors
Is NKTR a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates NKTR as Poor overall, reflecting broad weakness across most quality dimensions.
The Risk pillar stands out as the relative bright spot within an otherwise challenged profile, suggesting the balance sheet carries some degree of near-term stability.
Quality, Moat, and Growth all register as Weak, while Valuation reads as Elevated — a combination that warrants careful scrutiny for any investor.
See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro membership. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does NKTR pay dividends?
No — Nektar Therapeutics does not currently pay a dividend.
Nektar does not pay a dividend. As a clinical-stage company, available capital is directed toward funding ongoing trials and research programs rather than returning cash to shareholders. Income-focused investors should factor this into their assessment.
When does NKTR report earnings?
Nektar Therapeutics reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with US-listed public companies.
As a pre-commercial biopharmaceutical company, quarterly results are driven primarily by collaboration revenue and research spending rather than product sales. Trial readouts and partnership milestones tend to be more market-moving than headline revenue figures.
For the most recent quarter's results, visit Nektar Therapeutics' investor relations page directly.
NKTR Price History
-63.8% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Nektar Therapeutics?
Based on Nektar Therapeutics's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Nektar Therapeutics do?
Nektar Therapeutics discovers and develops drug candidates targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company runs multiple clinical-stage programs and funds operations partly through collaboration agreements with established pharmaceutical companies.
Does NKTR pay dividends?
No, NKTR does not pay a dividend. Capital is reinvested into clinical development programs. Investors seeking income should be aware that no distribution is currently offered.
When does NKTR report earnings?
Nektar reports on a standard quarterly schedule. Because our data source does not cover specific upcoming dates, check the company's investor relations page for the current earnings calendar.
Is NKTR a good stock to buy?
The UQS Score rates NKTR as Poor, with Weak readings across Quality, Moat, and Growth, and an Elevated Valuation. The Risk pillar is the lone relative strength. Pro members can view the complete pillar breakdown for a fuller picture.
Is NKTR overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for NKTR is rated Elevated, suggesting the current price may not be well-supported by the company's fundamental profile. This is especially notable given the Weak Growth and Quality readings.
What is NKTR's market cap bracket?
NKTR is classified as a small-cap stock. This places it in a segment of the market that typically carries higher volatility and liquidity risk compared to large- or mega-cap peers.
Is NKTR a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, the UQS Score flags NKTR as Poor. Sustained improvement in clinical outcomes, partnership milestones, and financial fundamentals would be needed before the quality profile shifts meaningfully.
What sector does NKTR belong to?
Nektar Therapeutics operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically within clinical-stage biopharmaceuticals. It focuses on oncology and immunology, areas where drug development timelines and binary trial outcomes drive significant uncertainty.
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Pro Analysis
NKTR — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2026 | 17.5 | 8.3 | 11.0 | 1.7 | 82.4 | 0.0 | +1.8 |
| May 12, 2026 | 15.7 | 8.3 | 11.0 | 1.7 | 70.1 | 0.0 | +1.0 |
| Apr 2, 2026 | 14.7 | 8.3 | 11.0 | 1.7 | 63.5 | 0.0 | — |
NKTR — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 8.3/100 (25%)Nektar Therapeutics currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 1.7/100 (20%)Nektar Therapeutics faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Risk
— 82.4/100 (15%)Nektar Therapeutics carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 0.0/100 (15%)Nektar Therapeutics appears expensively valued relative to its fundamentals and growth prospects.
Moat
— 11/100 (25%)Nektar Therapeutics operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for NKTR.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the NKTR UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Nektar Therapeutics is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Nektar Therapeutics's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Nektar Therapeutics is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.