Analyst Ratings February 20, 2026

Oppenheimer Lifts Pulse Biosciences Target to $30 as Commercial and Clinical Milestones Advance

Analyst raises price objective while company posts modest revenue, retains strong cash position and progresses multiple FDA-authorized studies

By Sofia Navarro PLSE
Oppenheimer Lifts Pulse Biosciences Target to $30 as Commercial and Clinical Milestones Advance
PLSE

Oppenheimer increased its price target on Pulse Biosciences (PLSE) to $30 from $22 and kept an Outperform rating, citing recent commercial updates and fourth-quarter results. Pulse reported Q4 2025 revenue of $0.3 million, aligned with Oppenheimer’s estimate, while operating losses continued as operating expenses reached about $18.3 million. The company held $80.7 million in cash and equivalents and reported a current ratio of 10.02. Several regulatory and clinical milestones are in motion, including FDA authorization for a pivotal IDE study of the nPulse Cardiac Catheter and an IDE for a thyroid cancer study using the Vybrance Percutaneous Electrode System.

Key Points

  • Oppenheimer raised its price target on Pulse Biosciences to $30 from $22 and maintained an Outperform rating.
  • Q4 2025 revenue was $0.3 million, in line with estimates; operating expenses were about $18.3 million, including $10.9 million in R&D and $7.3 million in SG&A. Cash and equivalents totaled $80.7 million and the current ratio was 10.02.
  • Regulatory and clinical progress includes FDA approval to begin a pivotal IDE study for the nPulse Cardiac Catheter, a NANOPULSE-AF trial of up to 145 patients across 30 sites, and an IDE-approved study with MD Anderson for Vybrance in thyroid cancer.

Oppenheimer has raised its price target for Pulse Biosciences (NASDAQ: PLSE) to $30 from $22 and left its rating at Outperform, citing the company’s recent commercial progress and clinical updates. The firm’s revision accompanies fourth-quarter financials and developments around the company’s soft-tissue and cardiac device programs.

Quarterly results and expenses

Pulse reported fourth-quarter 2025 revenues of $0.3 million, which matched Oppenheimer’s estimate. The company’s operating expenses for the quarter totaled approximately $18.3 million, of which $10.9 million was allocated to research and development and $7.3 million to selling, general and administrative costs. Those figures reflect continued investment behind product development and commercialization initiatives following last year’s soft-tissue ablation platform launch.

Balance sheet and liquidity

At the end of the reporting period Pulse held $80.7 million in cash and cash equivalents. Management continues to use these resources to support ongoing investigational device exemption (IDE) trials and to advance objectives tied to the soft-tissue product launch. The company reported a current ratio of 10.02, indicating substantial short-term liquidity despite persistent operating losses.

Clinical and regulatory progress

Pulse has received FDA clearance to initiate a pivotal IDE study of its nPulse Cardiac Catheter aimed at treating paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Management expects enrollment to start in the coming months, with study completion anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026. The company previously presented first-in-human feasibility data for the nPulse Cardiac Catheter System at the AF Symposium, reporting procedural success rates of 100% at six months and 96% at 12 months in a 150-patient cohort.

The FDA has also approved Pulse’s NANOPULSE-AF clinical study, which is structured as a single-arm, multicenter trial that may enroll up to 145 patients across approximately 30 sites, including international locations. Separately, Pulse is planning a research collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to evaluate its nPulse Vybrance Percutaneous Electrode System for thyroid cancer treatment; the FDA has granted an IDE for that study, which is expected to commence in early 2026.

Commercial outlook and reimbursement

Regarding Vybrance, company management expects clarity on labeling and reimbursement within the next four to eight quarters. Oppenheimer noted that feasibility study outcomes require confirmation in larger trials before definitive conclusions about performance and adoption can be drawn.

Other analyst activity

In addition to Oppenheimer’s move, Mizuho has initiated coverage on Pulse Biosciences with an Outperform rating and a $25 price target. Mizuho’s initiation referenced positive physician feedback and anticipated rapid adoption of the company’s technology following FDA clearance.

Valuation context

The stock has gained significant ground this year, rising roughly 83% year-to-date and trading near its 52-week high of $26.30. At the same time, InvestingPro analysis indicates the shares are trading above Fair Value estimates, suggesting that some market participants view the current price as rich relative to quantified valuation benchmarks.

Research access

For investors seeking a deeper dive, a comprehensive Pro Research Report covering Pulse Biosciences is available alongside coverage of more than 1,400 other U.S. equities.

Bottom line

Oppenheimer’s revised target and continued Outperform rating reflect the broker’s assessment of the company’s recent milestones and the prospects for commercialization and clinical validation. Pulse’s cash position and liquidity metrics provide runway for planned trials and early market activities, but the company remains in an investment phase with operating losses and data confirmation needed from larger studies.

Risks

  • Feasibility study results require confirmation in larger trials - this affects clinical development timelines and regulatory risk in the medical devices and healthcare sectors.
  • Labeling and reimbursement clarity for Vybrance is expected within four to eight quarters, creating commercial and reimbursement risk for the healthcare and medtech markets.
  • The company continues to report operating losses despite a strong cash position, posing financial risk tied to commercialization pace and trial costs in the biotech and medtech sectors.

More from Analyst Ratings

BofA Lifts CF Industries Price Target After Strong Q4 EBITDA; Maintains Underperform Rating Feb 20, 2026 Truist Lifts Tandem Diabetes Price Target as Company Shifts Toward Pharmacy Model Feb 20, 2026 BWS Financial Boosts A10 Networks Price Target Citing AI-Driven Network Traffic Feb 20, 2026 Supreme Court Ruling Boosts Steve Madden Outlook, Analysts Say Feb 20, 2026 UBS Lowers Carvana Price Target Citing Higher Costs, Keeps Buy Rating Feb 20, 2026