Aquestive Therapeutics Inc logo

Aquestive Therapeutics Inc(AQST)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
3-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$4.23
10/28/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for AQST

10/28/2026: AQST (3-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Aquestive Therapeutics is a small-cap specialty pharmaceutical company focused on leveraging its proprietary PharmFilm drug delivery platform to improve CNS treatments. Its primary business strengths include its innovative delivery technology and a pipeline aimed at high-need patient populations. The company's main investment story revolves around the successful commercialization of products like SYMPAZAN and EXERZELIS. However, investors must weigh these opportunities against significant risks, including clinical development failure, regulatory hurdles, and stiff competition from generic and large pharmaceutical companies. This stock is best suited for growth-oriented investors with a high risk tolerance who are prepared to monitor clinical data and regulatory news.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitThe company offers growth potential through its proprietary drug platform but faces significant clinical and execution risks.
Momentum investorMixed fitSuitability depends heavily on specific clinical or regulatory news cycles.
Value investorWeak fitThe company lacks stable earnings or cash flow, making traditional value metrics inapplicable.
Dividend investorWeak fitThe company does not pay dividends and focuses on capital appreciation and reinvestment.
Low-risk investorWeak fitHigh volatility in the biotech sector makes this stock unsuitable for low-risk profiles.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighBiotech stocks often react violently to clinical trial results and regulatory updates.
Valuation riskMedium / highValuations are often speculative and based on long-term growth expectations rather than current earnings.
Competition risk (Generic and Large Pharma)HighLarge incumbents can leverage size to pressure market adoption of niche products.
Business qualityMediumWhile the technology is innovative, the company is still in the process of building a sustainable, profitable franchise.
Dividend incomeLow / noneThe company prioritizes R&D and scaling over returning capital to shareholders.
Execution riskHighCommercializing new drug formats successfully requires high levels of precision and market penetration.

Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Strong Uptrend

The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.

Extreme Price Shocks
PRICE STABILITY

Extreme Price Shocks

The stock has experienced exceptionally large and disruptive price movements during the period.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 206.59%
Avg. Invested days 37
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 4.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 5.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/28/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
AQST receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by soft unit economics, soft quantitative characteristics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
AQST has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with soft financial health, soft growth momentum, and strong ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, growth and ownership metrics are mixed: negative earnings growth (-89.8%), weak cash generation (FCF margin -119.0%), negative revenue growth (-22.6%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
AQST's financial health is soft, with the relatively strongest area being moderate liquidity, including working-capital and asset support (WC/assets 63.4%). Cash strength is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 2-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
AQST's growth profile is soft, with the least-weak measure being revenue growth at -22.6% FY2025 versus FY2024. By comparison, while earnings growth (-89.8%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-47.5%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 57.8% and approximately 90.1% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 10.79% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

Bratton Capital Management, L.P. 7.82%
BlackRock Inc 6.43%
RTW INVESTMENTS, LLC 5.92%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 3.65%
Federated Hermes Inc 2.48%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
AQST generates approximately $615 of gross profit, $-1,564 of operating income, and $-1,190 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Operating losses and cash burn explain the 2-star rating, with weak cash conversion and strong capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 0.00%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
AQST has a liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

High VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 510.83M USD
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 9.33
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 9.33
Volume (30-day avg) 2.2M shares
Beta 1.49
52 Weeks Range 2.93 - 6.92
Updated Date 10/27/2026
52 Weeks Range 2.93 - 6.92
Updated Date 10/27/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) -0.66

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Proprietary ProductsSales of SYMPAZAN and commercialization efforts for EXERZELIS.Revenue from selling the company's own patented drugs.
Licensing & ManufacturingContract development and manufacturing services for other pharma clients.Revenue from manufacturing and technology partnerships.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

Valuation

Trailing PE -
Forward PE -
Enterprise Value 460.08M
Price to Sales(TTM) 9.44
Enterprise Value 460.08M
Price to Sales(TTM) 9.44
Enterprise Value to Revenue 8.51
Enterprise Value to EBITDA -1.81
Shares Outstanding 125.51M
Shares Floating 113.02M
Shares Outstanding 125.51M
Shares Floating 113.02M
Percent Insiders 10.79
Percent Institutions 57.82

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.