Fred Alger Management 13F: Cuts ASND Stake by $12M

Fred Alger Management recently trimmed its stake in Ascendis Pharma A/S (NasdaqGS: ASND), selling 47,213 shares. This move represents a 13.4% reduction in its holdings, leaving the fund with 304,896 shares valued at about $79.5 million as of the end of the first quarter of 2026. The changes were disclosed in a Form 13F filing with the SEC.

What Changed in Fred Alger Management's Ascendis Pharma A/S Position

Fred Alger Management decreased its position in Ascendis Pharma A/S by 13.4%, selling 47,213 shares. The fund now holds 304,896 shares, down from 352,109 shares previously. The remaining stake is valued at approximately $79.5 million.

Other Institutional Activity in Ascendis Pharma A/S

Other institutional investors also adjusted their positions in Ascendis Pharma. T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc. significantly increased its stake by 4,494,417 shares, ending with 6,162,042 shares valued at about $1.41 billion. Avoro Capital Advisors LLC reduced its holdings slightly by 48,611 shares, maintaining 5,062,500 shares worth around $1.16 billion. Westfield Capital Management Co LP cut its position by 372,256 shares, now holding 4,813,440 shares valued at $1.1 billion. FMR LLC also reduced its stake by 276,710 shares, leaving it with 3,876,601 shares worth roughly $886.7 million.

Ascendis Pharma A Stock Up 10.2%

Shares of Ascendis Pharma A/S traded near $260.75 on Saturday. The company has a market capitalization of approximately $17.1 billion and a P/E ratio of 30.3. The stock's 52-week range is between $160.86 and $271.89, with a 50-day moving average of $231.87 and a 200-day moving average of $218.91. Ascendis Pharma's current ratio stands at 0.996, with a quick ratio of 0.683 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 183.753.

Recent Earnings

For its most recent period, Ascendis Pharma reported revenue of $865.8 million, reflecting a growth rate of 1.44%. The company achieved a net margin of 57.3% and a return on equity of 3.3%. The next earnings report is expected on April 30, 2026.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ascendis Pharma A

Recent insider activity at Ascendis Pharma includes several transactions. EVP & CFO Scott Thomas Smith purchased 100 shares at $219 on June 2, 2026, and an additional 250 shares at $223.32 on May 29, 2026. Jean Jacques Bienaime bought 500 shares at $223.12 on May 29, 2026, and 400 shares at $237.81 on May 26, 2026. EVP Flemming Steen Jensen sold 19,460 shares at $238.49 on May 11, 2026.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Analysts have recently updated their views on Ascendis Pharma. On May 19, 2026, Citigroup initiated coverage with a "buy" rating and a price target of $355. Evercore ISI Group maintained its "buy" rating with a target of $329 on May 15, 2026. Barclays also maintained a "buy" rating, setting a $345 price target on May 11, 2026. The consensus among analysts is a "strong buy," with an average target price of $291.15 based on 18 analyst opinions.

About Ascendis Pharma A/S

Ascendis Pharma A/S is a biopharmaceutical company based in Hellerup, Denmark. It focuses on developing therapies using its TransCon technology for unmet medical needs. The company markets SKYTROFA for pediatric growth hormone deficiency and YORVIPATH for chronic hypoparathyroidism. It also has a pipeline of endocrinology and oncology candidates. Ascendis Pharma was founded in 2006 and is led by CEO Jan Moller Mikkelsen.

Bottom Line

Fred Alger Management's decision to reduce its stake in Ascendis Pharma A/S reflects a notable shift in its investment strategy. Investors closely watch these 13F filings for insights into fund managers' views, though they represent past positions as of the reporting period. Ascendis Pharma remains a focal point for analysts and insiders, with a strong buy consensus and ongoing insider activity.