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ACADACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.Buy Wait6.1·$20.32
Buy WaitModerate Confidence
Investment thesis

The stock offers roughly 34% upside to analyst consensus with a 6-to-1 reward-to-risk ratio, but a confirmed technical downtrend is a hard block for near-term entry, and the thesis rests on two concentrated products whose clinical pipeline adds binary risk.

Thesis pillars

  • Strong Quality Metrics→Stable
  • Wide Dislocation Favorable Asymmetry→Stable
  • Technical Downtrend Hard Block→Stable
  • +1 more pillar — see the Why tab for full reasoning

Pillars as of Jul 3, 2026, based on the 10-K filed Feb 26, 2026

Full reasoning →

Open full analysis

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD) Stock Analysis

Buy WaitGrowthQualityModerate Confidence

Healthcare · Biotechnology

Earnings in 6 days (2026-11-04). Expect elevated volatility around the report — consider waiting for post-earnings price action before new entries.

Wait for pullback to $19.54. Recent C-suite change — blocks BUY_NOW at $20.32. Engine's entry $19.54 (Atr Pullback Sticky) is the shallowest technical level that clears the 2:1 A.R:R minimum. Key risks: Concentration risk — Product: NUPLAZID and DAYBUE; Concentration risk — Pipeline: remlifanserin RADIANT Phase 2.

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals commercializes two neurological drugs with FDA exclusivity: NUPLAZID (pimavanserin), the only FDA-approved treatment for Parkinson's disease psychosis since April 2016, and DAYBUE (trofinetide), the only FDA-approved treatment for Rett syndrome since March... Read more

$20.32+35.2% A.UpsideScore 6.1/10#36 of 241 Biotechnology
QualityF-score8 / 9FCF yield1.97%
Entry $19.54(Atr Pullback Sticky)Stop $18.30Target $27.47(analyst − 10%)A.R:R 3.7:1
Analyst consensus$30.53+50.2%19 analysts
$27.47our TP
$20.32price
$30.53mean
$16
$37

Wait for pullback to $19.54. Recent C-suite change — blocks BUY_NOW at $20.32. Engine's entry $19.54 (Atr Pullback Sticky) is the shallowest technical level that clears the 2:1 A.R:R minimum. Key risks: Concentration risk — Product: NUPLAZID and DAYBUE; Concentration risk — Pipeline: remlifanserin RADIANT Phase 2. Chart setup: No clear chart pattern; technical signals are mixed. V9 Gate blocked: Earnings in 6 days (≤7d hard window). Wait for improvement. Score 6.1/10, moderate confidence.

Passes 7/9 gates (positive momentum, favorable risk/reward ratio, clean insider activity, news events none recent, semi cycle peak clear, materials cycle peak clear, sector concentration cap sector=healthcare 4/10 self excluded). Fails on earnings proximity 6d<=7d. Suitability: speculative.

10-K grounded · weekly refresh

About ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.

About ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals generated $1,071.5 million in net product sales in 2025 — up from $957.8 million in 2024 — split between NUPLAZID (pimavanserin), the only FDA-approved treatment for Parkinson's disease psychosis since April 2016, and DAYBUE (trofinetide), the only FDA-approved treatment for Rett syndrome since March 2023. DAYBUE received Health Canada marketing authorization in October 2024 and Israeli Ministry of Health approval in December 2025, beginning international expansion from a predominantly U.S. commercial base. In December 2025, the FDA approved DAYBUE STIX, a powder reformulation offering additional dosing flexibility.

Revenue flows from prescription drug sales through a limited network of specialty distributors and specialty pharmacies in the U.S. NUPLAZID targets an estimated 130,000 Parkinson's disease patients treated annually with atypical antipsychotics in the United States, with roughly 20% currently using NUPLAZID; the company has a stated goal of $1.0 billion in NUPLAZID net sales in 2028. DAYBUE addresses an estimated 6,000 to 9,000 Rett syndrome patients in the U.S., with growth depending on new patient adoption and persistency rates. Competitors for NUPLAZID include off-label use of generics such as quetiapine, clozapine, risperidone, aripiprazole, and olanzapine. DAYBUE faces competitive programs including UCB S.A.'s announced plans to initiate a Phase 3 trial of fenfluramine in Rett syndrome during 2026, as well as gene therapy trials by Taysha Gene Therapies and Neurogene. The Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program could subject NUPLAZID to HHS-negotiated pricing as early as 2029, when the company believes it may qualify as a specified small manufacturer eligible for a phase-in discount.

Show full overview

The lead pipeline candidate, remlifanserin (ACP-204), is in a Phase 2 RADIANT study for Alzheimer's disease psychosis; enrollment is expected to complete in the first half of 2026, with top-line results anticipated in the August to October 2026 timeframe. A positive readout would advance remlifanserin into two Phase 3 studies with nearly identical design. A negative result would follow three consecutive trial failures — Phase 3 ADVANCE-2 for pimavanserin in schizophrenia (March 2024), a pediatric autism Phase 2 (October 2024), and Phase 3 COMPASS PWS for intranasal carbetocin (September 2025) — leaving the pipeline to Phase 2 assets in Lewy Body Dementia psychosis and early-stage programs in major depressive disorder and essential tremor. In April 2026, ACADIA disclosed via Form 8-K the planned retirement of Dr. Elizabeth Thompson, Head of Research and Development, with a search for a replacement underway during this critical readout period.

See also: Healthcare · Biotechnology

From ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s most recent 10-K filing, extracted June 9, 2026.

news + 30-day 8-K events · 5-min refresh

Recent developments

updated 2026-10-29
TrendMatrix Research · upcoming catalyst calendar

Upcoming dated catalysts

Wed, Nov 4, 20266d to earnings· next earnings call

Thesis

Rewards
V7 quality resilience bonus: +0.2 (Q=7.2 in RISK_OFF)
Sector modifier (Healthcare): +0.5
High-quality business
Risks
Concentration risk — Product: NUPLAZID and DAYBUE
Concentration risk — Pipeline: remlifanserin RADIANT Phase 2
Cyclical risk: PE expanding 2.4x (earnings normalizing)

Key Metrics

P/E (TTM)9.1
P/E (Fwd)22.1
Mkt Cap$3.5B
EV/EBITDA26.6
Profit Mgn33.4%
ROE35.7%
Rev Growth16.4%
Beta0.89
DividendNone
Rating analysts26

Quality Signals

Piotroski F8/9MoatWideCompounder✓

Options Flow

P/C1.48bearish
IV63%elevated

Concentration Risks(10-K Item 1A)

  • HIGHProductNUPLAZID and DAYBUE
    10-K Item 1: 'We have two products that are approved for commercialization in the U.S.: NUPLAZID and DAYBUE'
  • HIGHpipelineremlifanserin RADIANT Phase 2
    10-K Item 1: 'Phase 2 RADIANT study of remlifanserin ... report top-line results in the August to October 2026 timeframe'

Material Events(8-K, last 90d)

  • 2026-05-01Item 5.02MEDIUM
    Elizabeth H.Z. Thompson, Ph.D., Head of Research and Development, announced planned retirement on April 27, 2026. Will continue in role until successor appointed, then consult through end of 2026. Company initiated search for replacement.
    SEC filing →
  • 2026-05-29Item 5.02LOW
    Stockholders approved amendment to 2024 Equity Incentive Plan at May 29, 2026 Annual Meeting, increasing shares authorized for issuance by 5,209,670. Routine equity plan amendment; no officer departure.
    SEC filing →

Model-generated analysis — not investment advice. Not a registered investment advisor. Past performance does not guarantee future results. How we score · Editorial policy

Show full disclosure ▾

About TrendMatrix. TrendMatrix is a publisher of general securities research and market commentary. We publish on a regular schedule. All content is the same for every subscriber in a tier — we do not provide personalized investment advice and we do not take into account any individual subscriber's financial situation, investment objectives, risk tolerance, tax situation, or holdings.

Not investment advice. TrendMatrix is not a registered investment adviser. Our content is for informational and educational purposes only. Consult your own licensed investment adviser, broker, or tax professional before making any investment decision.

Conflicts and positions. People who build TrendMatrix, or entities they control, may hold positions, long or short, in securities it covers, and may trade them at any time. Positions are not disclosed individually. Verdicts are generated by an automated model applied by the same rules to every covered stock, and are not adjusted for any position held by the people who build TrendMatrix. We do not accept payment from issuers for coverage.

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Performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Performance figures reflect the published model only and do not reflect any individual subscriber's actual results.

Methodology · Editorial policy & full disclaimer

Rating Breakdown

1 floor-breaker

Technicals below the gate floor. Component breakdown shows what dragged the score down.static

Support Resistance
1.1
Bollinger
1.9
52w Position
3.1
GatesEARNINGS PROXIMITY 6d<=7dExecutive change: officer departure/appointmentMomentum 6.1>=5.5A.R:R 3.7 ≥ 1.5Insider activity: OKNEWS EVENTS NONE RECENTSEMI CYCLE PEAK CLEARMATERIALS CYCLE PEAK CLEARSECTOR CONCENTRATION CAP sector=Healthcare 4/10 self excludedSuitability: Speculative
RSI
56 · Neutral
↑ 20D MA↓ 50D MA↓ 200D MAGOLDEN CROSSSupport $18.39Resistance $20.57

Price Targets

$18
$20
$27
A.Upside+35.2%
A.R:R3.7:1

Position Sizing

ConvictionMedium conviction
Suggested %0.6%
Max %1.3%
RegimeRisk-Off

Risk Alerts

! Earnings in 6 days (≤7d hard window)
! EARNINGS_PROXIMITY:6d<=7d

Earnings

B
B
M
M
2/4 beats
Next Earnings2026-11-04 (6d)

Verdict History

reverse chrono — latest first
Loading history...
Verdicts are recorded on every nightly pipeline run. Rows capture transitions (verdict flips, score deltas ≥0.3, entry/TP/SL changes). Rows with a ▶ can be expanded to see the change reason. Aggregate cohort performance is tracked in the recommendation ledger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ACAD stock a buy right now?

Wait for pullback to $19.54. Recent C-suite change — blocks BUY_NOW at $20.32. Engine's entry $19.54 (Atr Pullback Sticky) is the shallowest technical level that clears the 2:1 A.R:R minimum. Key risks: Concentration risk — Product: NUPLAZID and DAYBUE; Concentration risk — Pipeline: remlifanserin RADIANT Phase 2. Chart setup: No clear chart pattern; technical signals are mixed. V9 Gate blocked: Earnings in 6 days (≤7d hard window). Wait for improvement. Target $27.47 (+35.2%), stop $18.30 (−11.0%), A.R:R 3.7:1. Score 6.1/10, moderate confidence.

What is the ACAD stock price target?

Take-profit target: $27.47 (+35.2% upside). Target $27.47 (+35.2%), stop $18.30 (−11.0%), A.R:R 3.7:1. Stop-loss: $18.30.

What are the risks of investing in ACAD?

Concentration risk — Product: NUPLAZID and DAYBUE; Concentration risk — Pipeline: remlifanserin RADIANT Phase 2; Cyclical risk: PE expanding 2.4x (earnings normalizing).

Is ACAD overvalued or undervalued?

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. trades at a P/E of 9.1 (forward 22.1). TrendMatrix value score: 6.2/10. Verdict: Buy (Wait for Entry).

What do analysts say about ACAD?

26 analysts cover ACAD with a consensus score of 4.0/5. Average price target: $31.

What does ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. do?ACADIA Pharmaceuticals commercializes two neurological drugs with FDA exclusivity: NUPLAZID (pimavanserin), the only...

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals commercializes two neurological drugs with FDA exclusivity: NUPLAZID (pimavanserin), the only FDA-approved treatment for Parkinson's disease psychosis since April 2016, and DAYBUE (trofinetide), the only FDA-approved treatment for Rett syndrome since March 2023. Combined net product sales were $1,071.5 million in 2025, distributed through a limited network of specialty pharmacies and distributors in the United States.

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