** Genetic testing firm Natera NTRA.O says its minimal residual disease test, Signatera, which is used to detect cancer remaining after treatment, approved in Japan for adjuvant colorectal cancer care

** NTRA expects commercial launch by 2026 end, pending final pricing determination

** Shares of Natera jump 8% to over five-month high of $253.38

** 20 of 23 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher and three "hold"; their median PT is $270 - LSEG-compiled data

JAPAN APPROVAL ADDS GROWTH UPSIDE, REVENUE SEEN FROM 2027

** Guggenheim ("buy," PT: $270) says the approval opens up a market of over 150,000 new colorectal cancer patients a year, adding that reimbursement decisions will "establish a floor that Natera and regulators can build on over time," with volumes from Japan likely to contribute to growth from 2027

** RBC Capital Markets ("outperform," PT: $275) calls Japan a "meaningful incremental addressable market," but expects it to be only a "modest 2027 revenue contributor," given rollout timelines

** Leerink Partners ("outperform," PT: $280) says the approval is an "incremental positive," but adds investors may "not give full credit for the Japan launch just yet and its impact on 2027 volume and growth estimates" amid focus on near-term catalysts

** Evercore ISI ("outperform," PT: $270) views approval as a "meaningful initial unlock" though reimbursement expansion across more testing timepoints will be needed over time to drive upside