Sanctuary Advisors LLC Acquires 631 Shares of Vericel Co. (NASDAQ:VCEL)

On March 5, 2025, Sanctuary Advisors LLC announced that it has increased its investment in Vericel Co. (NASDAQ:VCEL), acquiring 631 additional shares during the fourth quarter of 2024. This purchase raised Sanctuary Advisors LLC's overall stake in Vericel by 14.4%, bringing their total holdings to 5,013 shares, valued at approximately $297,000 based on their latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In addition to Sanctuary Advisors, several other institutional investors have recently adjusted their holdings in Vericel. Geneva Capital Management LLC increased its position by an impressive 61.4% during the third quarter. It now owns 1,104,386 shares valued at about $46.66 million after acquiring 420,078 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP also expanded its holdings by 214.0% in the same period, owning 587,857 shares valued at $24.84 million after a purchase of 400,667 additional shares. Furthermore, TimesSquare Capital Management LLC lifted its stake by 54.8%, now holding 590,145 shares worth $24.93 million after buying 209,009 additional shares that quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. saw a 12.6% increase in its holdings during the fourth quarter, owning 1,454,139 shares valued at $79.85 million, following the acquisition of 162,419 shares. Lastly, Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. made a new investment in Vericel during the third quarter, valued at $4.97 million.

Insider Transactions at Vericel

Recent insider activity at Vericel includes a notable stock sale by insider Jonathan Siegal, who sold 1,092 shares on February 5, 2025, at an average price of $61.99, totaling $67,693.08. Post-sale, Siegal's holdings were reduced to 1,206 shares, estimated to be worth around $74,759.94, representing a significant 47.52% decrease in his ownership. Additionally, Director Robert L. Md Zerbe sold 2,500 shares on the same day, with a total transaction amounting to $156,250, after which he holds 26,595 shares valued at $1,662,187.50, marking an 8.59% decrease in his stake. Collectively, insiders sold 7,500 shares of Vericel stock worth $466,200 over the last 90 days, leaving insider ownership at approximately 5.20% of the company’s total shares.

Vericel Price Performance

As of the latest trading day, Vericel shares opened at $51.14. Over the past year, the stock has seen a low of $39.12 and a high of $63.00. The company currently holds a market capitalization of $2.52 billion and has a price-to-earnings ratio of 852.48, with a beta of 1.72. The fifty-day simple moving average for Vericel's stock stands at $56.93, while the two-hundred-day moving average is $51.93.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Research analysts have also shared their insights on Vericel's prospects, with several firms issuing new ratings. For instance, Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a target price of $65.00 for the stock as of January 15, 2025. Truist Financial reiterated their “buy” rating but slightly lowered the price target to $61.00 from the previous $67.00. Similarly, HC Wainwright maintained a “buy” rating with a price target of $60.00 on February 28, 2025. On February 3, 2025, Canaccord Genuity Group raised its price target from $64.00 to $67.00, while StockNews.com downgraded Vericel from a “hold” to a “sell” rating a week later. Overall, one analyst has rated the stock as a sell, and seven have provided buy ratings, contributing to an average rating of “Moderate Buy” with a consensus price target of $62.29.

About Vericel

Vericel Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing and manufacturing cellular therapies for both sports medicine and severe burn care markets in North America. Among its offerings are autologous cell therapy products such as MACI, which is used for repairing knee cartilage defects, and Epicel, a permanent skin replacement for treating severe burns.

Acquisition, Stocks, Investment