Cerus Corporation logo

Cerus Corporation(CERS)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$1.95
11/10/2026
(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 CERS

11/10/2026: CERS (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Cerus Corporation is a specialized medical technology company focused on enhancing blood transfusion safety through its proprietary INTERCEPT Blood System. The company's core strength lies in its pathogen reduction technology, which provides a unique and clinically validated solution that is gaining adoption in global markets. Its primary investment story centers on the scaling of this technology as an industry standard. However, investors must consider risks such as intense competition, slow adoption cycles, and the company's historical path to profitability. The stock may best suit growth investors comfortable with the risks of the medical device sector, with key developments to monitor including label expansions and international market penetration.

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 the adoption of its proprietary blood safety technology but faces execution and market penetration risks.
Momentum investorWeak fitMomentum fit is conditional on a sustained positive upturn signal, which is not currently present.
Value investorWeak fitThe company is not currently focused on value metrics like dividends or consistent GAAP profitability.
Dividend investorWeak fitCerus does not pay a dividend, making it unsuitable for income-focused investors.
Low-risk investorWeak fitHigh volatility and the nature of the biotechnology sector pose significant risks to capital preservation.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighThe stock experiences significant price swings common in development-stage or growth-oriented medical device companies.
Valuation riskMedium / highFuture growth expectations are baked into the share price, leaving little room for execution errors.
Competition risk (Blood technology competition)MediumLarger, well-capitalized competitors can introduce alternative testing or safety technologies that could disrupt market share.
Business qualityMediumThe company operates in a niche, critical healthcare segment with defensible technology but remains early in its path to profitability.
Dividend incomeLow / noneNo dividends are paid, so income-seeking investors will not find this stock suitable.
Execution riskMedium / highSuccess depends on the continued adoption and integration of INTERCEPT by global blood centers, which can be a slow process.

Price Behavior

Rolling Over
PRICE PATH

Rolling Over

The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.

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 -45.97%
Avg. Invested days 27
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 11/10/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

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

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
CERS has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with moderate financial health, solid growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, solid earnings growth (+25.3%) and solid revenue growth (+14.3%) are partially offset by soft cash generation (FCF margin 4.1%), weak profitability (net margin -7.6%), modest insider ownership of 3.61%.

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
CERS's financial health is supported by solid liquidity, including working-capital and asset support (WC/assets 33.2%). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Earnings growth is CERS's strongest growth driver at +25.3% FY2025 versus FY2024 (solid, 4 stars). By comparison, revenue growth (+14.3%, solid) is also solid, while free-cash-flow growth (+0.0%, slightly negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 74.7% and approximately 96.9% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 3.61% provides only moderate management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 11.00%
ARK Investment Management LLC 8.88%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 4.24%
Baker Bros Advisors LP 3.17%
D. E. Shaw & Co LP 2.72%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
CERS generates approximately $545 of gross profit, $-42 of operating income, and $41 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Operating losses explain the 1-star rating, with weak cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: -2.32% (Tax Credit)

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
CERS 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 418.05M USD
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 5.12
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 5.12
Volume (30-day avg) 2.2M shares
Beta 1.85
52 Weeks Range 1.47 - 3.47
Updated Date 11/10/2026
52 Weeks Range 1.47 - 3.47
Updated Date 11/10/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) -0.04

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Product SalesSale of INTERCEPT Blood System disposable kits and illumination equipment.Revenue is primarily generated from the recurring sale of consumable kits used in blood pathogen reduction processes.
GeographySales across North America, Europe, and other international regions.International market expansion is a key driver for revenue diversification beyond the US.

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 434.89M
Price to Sales(TTM) 1.85
Enterprise Value 434.89M
Price to Sales(TTM) 1.85
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.87
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 285.86
Shares Outstanding 201.95M
Shares Floating 195.78M
Shares Outstanding 201.95M
Shares Floating 195.78M
Percent Insiders 3.61
Percent Institutions 74.74

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.