Akero Therapeutics (AKRO) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: $3.85B
• Dividend Yield: N/A
• Average Volume (3M): 992.43K
• Price to Earnings (P/E): ―
• Beta (1Y): 1.20
• Revenue Growth: N/A
• EPS Growth: -11.39%
• Country: US
• Employees: 69
• Sector: Healthcare
• Sector Strength: 48
• Industry: Biotechnology
• EPS (TTM): -0.86
• Shares Outstanding: 79,988,976
• 10 Day Avg. Volume: 843,587
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 992,433
• PEG Ratio: N/A
• Price to Book (P/B): N/A
• Price to Sales (P/S): N/A
• P/FCF Ratio: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Market Cap: 0.95
• Enterprise Value/Revenue: 913.88K
• Enterprise Value/Gross Profit: 3.66M
• Enterprise Value/Ebitda: -13.09
• 1Y Price Target: $72.83
• Price Target Upside: 51.13% Upside
• Rating Consensus: Strong Buy
• Number of Analyst Covering: 6

• Rating: 60 Neutral
• Price Target: ―

Akero's stock score reflects strong technical momentum and positive corporate developments, which are key drivers. However, financial challenges with no current revenue and operational losses weigh down the overall score. The promising clinical trial results provide a potential catalyst for future growth.

Positive Factors

Clinical Trials

The more impactful catalyst for Akero is coming with topline data from SYNCHRONY Histology, a 52-week trial in biopsy-confirmed F2/3 patients; if positive, data from the trial will support accelerated approval in the US.

Competitive Positioning

The discontinuation of zalfermin by Novo Nordisk leaves Akero's EFX in a strong competitive position in the MASH market.

Market Potential

There is currently only one FDA approved treatment for F2/F3 MASH, highlighting the potential for Akero's EFX in addressing an unmet need.

Negative Factors

Financial Challenges

A reported net loss of $70.5M in 2Q25 reflects financial challenges for the company.

Risk Factors

EFX's AEs are consistent with the known class effects of FGF21 analogs – primarily mild to moderate transient GI events.

Akero Therapeutics Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

Akero Therapeutics, Inc., a cardio-metabolic nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) company, engages in the development of medicines designed to restore metabolic balance and improve overall health. The company's lead product candidate is efruxifermin (EFX), an analog of fibroblast growth factor 21, which protects against cellular stress and regulates metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins throughout the body. It also conducts a Phase 2a clinical trial, the BALANCED study, to evaluate EFX in the treatment of biopsy-confirmed NASH patients. The company was formerly known as Pippin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and changed its name to Akero Therapeutics, Inc. in May 2018. Akero Therapeutics, Inc. was incorporated in 2017 and is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.

How the Company Makes Money

Akero Therapeutics makes money through the development and commercialization of its drug candidates, primarily targeting NASH. The company aims to generate revenue through the successful approval and subsequent sales of its lead product candidate, Efruxifermin (EFX). Akero may also engage in partnerships or collaborations with other pharmaceutical companies to co-develop or license its technology, which can provide additional revenue streams and funding for its research and development activities. As a clinical-stage company, Akero currently does not generate significant revenue from product sales but relies on funding through public offerings, private investments, grants, and collaborations to finance its operations and continue the development of its pipeline.

Akero Therapeutics Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Akero Therapeutics is in a growth phase typical of biotech companies, prioritizing R&D over immediate profitability. Strong equity and cash reserves provide a cushion against the high cash burn. However, the absence of revenue and continued operational losses pose risks that need addressing for long-term sustainability.

Income Statement

Akero Therapeutics has consistently reported zero revenue, indicating a focus on R&D typical for biotech firms in early stages. The company faces widening net losses, with the latest year showing a significant increase in EBIT and EBITDA losses. Despite this, the company is investing in future growth, reflected by its increasing expenditures.

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet reveals strong equity with a debt-to-equity ratio close to zero, signifying low leverage and strong financial foundation. The company's cash reserves have increased, supporting operations without significant debt reliance, although equity dilution might be a concern.

Cash Flow

Operating cash flow remains negative, highlighting ongoing cash burn. However, cash position is bolstered by substantial financing activities, indicating effective capital raising strategies. Free cash flow growth is negative, reflecting increased operational investments.

Breakdown	TTM	Dec 2024	Dec 2023	Dec 2022	Dec 2021	Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue	4.00K	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Gross Profit	1.00K	-18.00K	-29.00K	-260.00K	-244.00K	-213.00K
EBITDA	-279.17M	-285.42M	-148.63M	-111.03M	-100.53M	-78.99M
Net Income	-283.96M	-252.06M	-151.76M	-108.91M	-100.74M	-79.19M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets	1.11B	825.89M	580.27M	356.57M	195.55M	273.34M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	742.32M	743.08M	550.01M	351.45M	188.26M	268.39M
Total Debt	37.19M	36.12M	26.30M	10.95M	1.52M	1.81M
Total Liabilities	83.33M	75.77M	44.97M	30.01M	26.44M	14.63M
Stockholders Equity	1.03B	750.11M	535.31M	326.56M	169.11M	258.71M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow	-253.42M	-230.11M	-145.37M	-92.52M	-79.68M	-70.95M
Operating Cash Flow	-253.42M	-230.11M	-145.37M	-92.52M	-79.68M	-70.80M
Investing Cash Flow	-314.50M	-109.71M	-223.62M	-63.83M	42.28M	-9.76M
Financing Cash Flow	478.02M	445.85M	353.32M	255.63M	602.00K	203.11M

Akero Therapeutics Technical Analysis

• Technical Analysis Sentiment: Neutral
• Last Price: 48.19
• 50DMA: Negative
• 100DMA: Positive
• 200DMA: Positive
• MACD: Positive
• RSI: Neutral
• STOCH: Neutral

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For AKRO, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 48.19 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 48.91, below the 50-day MA of 50.97, and above the 200-day MA of 42.71, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.71 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 45.87 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 48.21 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for AKRO.

Akero Therapeutics Peers Comparison

Name	Overall Rating	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	ROE	Dividend Yield	Revenue Growth	EPS Growth
SWTX	61 Neutral		―		―	730.42%	31.63%
AKRO	60 Neutral	$3.85B	―	-31.14%	―	―	-11.39%
PTCT	58 Neutral	$3.93B	7.14	33.08%	―	96.00%	―
RYTM	55 Neutral	$6.72B	―	-1334.54%	―	53.55%	30.87%
Sector *	51 Neutral	$7.83B	-0.18	-40.10%	2.29%	21.46%	-2.03%
CRSP	46 Neutral	$4.99B	―	-25.34%	―	-81.18%	-69.19%
SLNO	37 Underperform	$3.70B	―	-69.53%	―	―	-70.28%

Akero Therapeutics Corporate Events

Akero Therapeutics Reports Promising Phase 2b Study Results

On January 27, 2025, Akero Therapeutics reported promising preliminary results from their Phase 2b SYMMETRY study, which evaluated the efficacy of efruxifermin (EFX) in patients with compensated cirrhosis due to MASH. The study showed significant improvements in fibrosis without worsening MASH, with 39% of patients in the 50mg EFX group showing positive results compared to 15% in the placebo group. These findings underscore the potential of EFX as a transformative treatment, marking a notable advancement in addressing cirrhosis caused by MASH and enhancing Akero’s position in the metabolic disease treatment landscape. The treatment was generally well-tolerated, and no serious adverse events related to EFX were reported.