Mesoblast (NASDAQ:MESO) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report released on Wednesday, Zacks.com reports.

According to Zacks, "Mesoblast Limited is a global leader in developing innovative cell-based medicines. The Company has leveraged its proprietary technology platform, which is based on specialized cells known as mesenchymal lineage adult stem cells, to establish a broad portfolio of late-stage product candidates. Mesoblast's allogeneic, 'off-the-shelf' cell product candidates target advanced stages of diseases with high, unmet medical needs including cardiovascular conditions, orthopedic disorders, immunologic and inflammatory disorders and oncologic/hematologic conditions. "

A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on MESO. ValuEngine upgraded Mesoblast from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, April 2nd. Maxim Group started coverage on Mesoblast in a research note on Friday, May 29th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $16.00 price objective for the company. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upped their target price on shares of Mesoblast from $13.00 to $15.25 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 28th. TheStreet raised shares of Mesoblast from a "d+" rating to a "c-" rating in a report on Friday, May 22nd. Finally, HC Wainwright reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $21.00 price target (up previously from $14.00) on shares of Mesoblast in a report on Thursday, May 28th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. The company has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $14.91.

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NASDAQ:MESO opened at $13.39 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.49 billion, a P/E ratio of -20.92 and a beta of 3.53. The company has a quick ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. Mesoblast has a 52 week low of $3.12 and a 52 week high of $20.57. The stock's fifty day moving average is $10.75 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.08.

Mesoblast (NASDAQ:MESO) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 27th. The company reported ($0.14) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.14). Mesoblast had a negative return on equity of 13.60% and a negative net margin of 197.65%. The company had revenue of $12.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.38 million. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Mesoblast will post -0.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Tobias Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Mesoblast during the 4th quarter worth $191,000. Wilbanks Smith & Thomas Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Mesoblast by 6.0% during the fourth quarter. Wilbanks Smith & Thomas Asset Management LLC now owns 25,025 shares of the company's stock worth $184,000 after buying an additional 1,425 shares during the period. Ingalls & Snyder LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mesoblast during the first quarter worth about $53,000. Aperio Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Mesoblast during the first quarter worth about $81,000. Finally, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC acquired a new position in Mesoblast in the 1st quarter valued at about $44,000. 2.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Mesoblast Company Profile

Mesoblast Limited, a biopharmaceutical company, develops and commercializes allogeneic cellular medicines. Its proprietary regenerative medicine technology platform is based on specialized cells known as mesenchymal lineage adult stem cells. The company's products under the Phase III clinical trials include MSC-100-IV for steroid refractory acute graft versus host disease; MPC-150-IM for advanced heart failure; and MPC-06-ID for chronic low back pain due to degenerative disc disease.

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Mesoblast (NASDAQ:MESO) Stock Rating Lowered by Zacks Investment Research - MarketBeat