<p><strong>Capricor Therapeutics Inc</strong> (NASDAQ:CAPR) shares are trading lower Friday afternoon after the biotech company reported a wider-than-expected fourth-quarter loss, even as it highlighted regulatory and clinical progress for its lead Duchenne muscular dystrophy candidate, deramiocel. Here’s what investors need to know.</p>



<ul>
<li>Capricor Therapeutics stock is feeling bearish pressure. Why are CAPR shares down?</li>
</ul>



<h2>Capricor Reports Wider-Than-Expected Q4 Loss</h2>



<p>Capricor posted a quarterly loss of 62 cents per share, missing the consensus estimate of a 54-cent loss and worsening from a 16-cent loss in the prior-year period.</p>



<p>Investors appeared to focus on the earnings miss and the absence of quarterly revenue, which fell to zero from about $11.1 million a year earlier. Total operating expenses rose to roughly $29.2 million from $18.8 million, while fourth-quarter net loss widened to about $30.2 million from $7.1 million.</p>



<h2>Capricor Says Phase 3 HOPE-3 Trial Met Primary Endpoint</h2>



<p>Still, Capricor paired the weak earnings print with a bullish corporate update. The company said its biologics license application for deramiocel remains under FDA review, with a PDUFA target action date of Aug. 22.</p>



<p>It also said the Phase 3 HOPE-3 trial met its primary endpoint and a key secondary cardiac endpoint, while newly presented late-breaking data showed reductions in myocardial fibrosis, improved left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with baseline cardiomyopathy, and about 83% slowing of disease progression on a functional eating task.</p>



<p>Capricor ended 2025 with about $318.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and said that should fund operations through 2027.</p>



<h2>Analysts Reaffirm Bullish Outlook on Capricor Stock</h2>



<p>On the analyst front, HC Wainwright reiterated a Buy rating and maintained a $60 price target, while Piper Sandler reiterated Overweight and raised its price target to $58 from $45.</p>



<h2>Capricor Shares Show Strong Bullish Momentum</h2>



<p>Capricor Therapeutics shares have surged over the past year, climbing from a low of about $4.60 in late 2025 to a recent high near $33.57 as momentum strengthened in recent months. </p>



<p>The stock now trades well above its 20-, 50- and 200-day moving averages, signaling strong bullish momentum.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img width="1024" height="877" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/13131848/CAPR-price-moving-averages-chart-1-1024x877.png?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" alt="" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/13131848/CAPR-price-moving-averages-chart-1-1024x877.png"/></figure>



<h2>CAPR Shares Slide Friday Afternoon</h2>



<p><strong>CAPR Price Action:</strong> Capricor Therapeutics shares were down 5.69% at $31.52 at the time of publication on Friday, according to Benzinga Pro data.</p>



<p><em>Image: Adobe Stock Images</em></p>

ARKG

CAPR

<p>Capricor Therapeutics shares fell 5.69% to $31.52 after reporting a wider-than-expected Q4 loss of 62 cents per share, missing estimates of 54 cents. Revenue dropped to zero from $11.1 million a year earlier, while operating expenses rose to $29.2 million. Despite the earnings miss, the company highlighted progress in its lead candidate, deramiocel, with a biologics license application under FDA review and positive results from the Phase 3 HOPE-3 trial. Analysts maintain a bullish outlook, with price targets of $60 and $58 from HC Wainwright and Piper Sandler, respectively.</p>

Capricor Therapeutics Stock Slides As Q4 Earnings Miss Estimates