Esperion (ESPR) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: $231.89M
• Dividend Yield: N/A
• Average Volume (3M): 5.34M
• Price to Earnings (P/E): ―
• Beta (1Y): 2.55
• Revenue Growth: 12.99%
• EPS Growth: 17.78%
• Country: US
• Employees: 304
• Sector: Healthcare
• Sector Strength: 59
• Industry: Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic
• EPS (TTM): -0.21
• Shares Outstanding: 198,199,460
• 10 Day Avg. Volume: 4,088,974
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 5,342,341
• PEG Ratio: 0.02
• Price to Book (P/B): -0.31
• Price to Sales (P/S): 0.00
• P/FCF Ratio: -2.37
• Enterprise Value/Market Cap: 2.37
• Enterprise Value/Revenue: 0.47
• Enterprise Value/Gross Profit: 3.24
• Enterprise Value/Ebitda: -3.66
• 1Y Price Target: $5.77
• Price Target Upside: 393.16% Upside
• Rating Consensus: Moderate Buy
• Number of Analyst Covering: 5

• Rating: 52 Neutral
• Price Target: $1.00 ▼(-14.53%Downside)

Esperion's overall stock score is driven primarily by its robust revenue growth and positive shareholder sentiment. However, the score is significantly constrained by ongoing financial challenges, including negative profitability and high leverage. Technical indicators suggest some positive momentum, but valuation remains a concern due to the lack of earnings and dividends.

Positive Factors

Global Expansion

Esperion announced a license and distribution agreement with HLS Therapeutics for the commercialization of NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET in Canada, highlighting global expansion efforts.

Patent Protection

Esperion has reached settlements with two ANDA filers, preventing generic marketing of NEXLETOL until April 19, 2040.

Revenue Growth

Revenue continues to grow, with a 41% increase in NEXLETOL/NEXLIZET U.S. product revenue driven by retail prescription growth.

Negative Factors

Financial Performance

ESPR reported a top-line of $65.0MM (-6%Q/Q and -53%Y/Y) vs. the Street's $54.3MM.

Market Conditions

Revenue growth reflects a flat lipid-lowering market due to changes in Medicare Part D and higher out-of-pocket costs.

Sales Estimates

Analyst maintains a Buy rating, but adjusts the price target to $4 (from $5) to reflect lower sales estimates and higher operating expenses.

Esperion Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, develops and commercializes medicines for the treatment of patients with elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Its lead product candidates are NEXLETOL (bempedoic acid) and NEXLIZET (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) tablets for the treatment of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. The company has a license and collaboration agreement with Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH; and Serometrix to in-license its oral, small molecule PCSK9 inhibitor program. Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

How the Company Makes Money

Esperion makes money primarily through the sale and distribution of its cholesterol-lowering medications, bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid/ezetimibe combination tablet. Revenue is generated through direct sales to healthcare providers, pharmacies, and distributors. Additionally, the company enters into licensing and partnership agreements with other pharmaceutical companies to expand the reach and distribution of its products, thereby contributing to its earnings. These partnerships may include milestone payments, royalties, and revenue-sharing arrangements, which provide additional streams of income.

Esperion Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Esperion demonstrates strong revenue growth, but faces significant profitability challenges with ongoing negative net income and high debt levels. The reliance on debt and negative equity position pose financial risks, and while cash flows are improving, they remain negative.

Income Statement

Esperion's revenue increased significantly from 2023 to 2024, demonstrating a strong growth trajectory in the income statement. However, the company continues to face challenges with profitability, as evidenced by negative net income, resulting in a negative net profit margin. The gross profit margin remains high, indicating efficient cost management relative to revenue, but negative EBIT and EBITDA margins highlight operational inefficiencies.

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet shows significant financial leverage with a negative stockholders' equity, indicating potential financial instability. The debt-to-equity ratio cannot be calculated due to negative equity, which is a red flag. Total debt is substantial, and the equity ratio is negative, suggesting the company is heavily reliant on debt financing. The negative return on equity further highlights profitability challenges.

Cash Flow

Esperion's cash flow statement reveals improving free cash flow, although it remains negative. Operating cash flow is also negative, which raises concerns about the sustainability of operations without external financing. The free cash flow to net income ratio is not favorable due to persistent losses, though the operating cash flow to net income ratio suggests some efficiency in cash management relative to net losses.

Breakdown
TTM	Dec 2024	Dec 2023	Dec 2022	Dec 2021	Dec 2020
Income Statement		Total Revenue
259.57M	332.31M	116.33M	75.47M	78.45M	227.55M
	Gross Profit
169.51M	263.71M	73.07M	48.51M	64.23M	225.16M
	EBIT
-39.96M	54.40M	-155.56M	-179.50M	-226.73M	-121.40M
	EBITDA
-88.47M	7.57M	-150.11M	-176.35M	-222.14M	-120.33M
	Net Income Common Stockholders
-153.22M	-51.74M	-209.25M	-287.82M	-318.82M	-166.19M
Balance Sheet		Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
114.63M	144.76M	82.25M	124.78M	208.89M	304.96M
	Total Assets
324.03M	343.82M	205.80M	247.94M	381.59M	353.26M
	Total Debt
297.78M	297.60M	540.95M	260.95M	260.20M	185.41M
	Net Debt
183.15M	152.84M	458.70M	136.17M	51.30M	-119.55M
	Total Liabilities
750.24M	732.54M	660.79M	571.72M	578.53M	449.39M
	Stockholders Equity
-426.21M	-388.72M	-454.99M	-1.34B	-1.11B	-838.82M
Cash Flow		Free Cash Flow
-100.35M	-23.97M	-135.49M	-174.83M	-263.81M	-98.55M
	Operating Cash Flow
-100.11M	-23.65M	-135.49M	-174.83M	-263.81M	-85.18M
	Investing Cash Flow
-244.00K	-317.00K	42.50M	8.10M	-50.48M	21.36M
	Financing Cash Flow
-11.62M	86.48M	50.46M	32.61M	268.22M	201.72M

Esperion Technical Analysis

• Technical Analysis Sentiment: Neutral
• Last Price: 1.17
• 50DMA: Positive
• 100DMA: Negative
• 200DMA: Negative
• MACD: Negative
• RSI: Neutral
• STOCH: Negative

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ESPR, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 1.17 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 0.99, above the 50-day MA of 0.97, and below the 200-day MA of 1.76, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.07 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 62.34 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 80.76 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for ESPR.

Esperion Peers Comparison

Name	Overall Rating	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	ROE	Dividend Yield	Revenue Growth	EPS Growth
DERM	62 Neutral	$157.95M	―	-48.14%	―	-29.69%	-105.88%
Sector *	54 Neutral	$5.38B	3.27	-45.10%	3.30%	16.81%	0.02%
ESPR	52 Neutral	$231.89M	―	23.44%	―	12.99%	17.78%
EBS	52 Neutral	$339.24M	―	-21.63%	―	-18.56%	76.88%
LFCR	46 Neutral	$249.18M	―	-83.58%	―	6.88%	-17.54%
IRWD	45 Neutral	$100.33M	85.74	-8.02%	―	-23.18%	97.12%
AQST	44 Neutral	$339.70M	―	77.48%	―	5.29%	-37.31%

Esperion Corporate Events

Esperion Gains Strong Shareholder Support at Annual Meeting

On May 29, 2025, Esperion held its Annual Meeting where stockholders voted on several key proposals. These included the election of two Class III director nominees, approval of executive compensation, ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent accounting firm for 2025, and an amendment to increase shares under the 2022 Plan. All proposals were approved, indicating strong shareholder support for the company’s strategic decisions.

The most recent analyst rating on (ESPR) stock is a Buy with a $16.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Esperion stock, see the ESPR Stock Forecast page.

Esperion Appoints Robert E. Hoffman as New Director

On April 1, 2025, Esperion Therapeutics announced the appointment of Robert E. Hoffman as an independent director and Chairperson of the Audit Committee, effective May 29, 2025. This follows the resignation of board members Nicole Vitullo and Antonio M. Gotto, Jr., effective June 1, 2025. Hoffman’s extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical sector is expected to support Esperion’s growth and commercialization efforts, particularly in expanding its pipeline of ACLY inhibitors.