Benitec Biopharma Limited (NASDAQ:BNTC) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Benitec Biopharma Limited (NASDAQ:BNTC) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,963,460 shares, an increase of 23.8% from the December 15th total of 1,585,527 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 236,157 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 8.3 days. Currently, 6.1% of the company’s shares are short sold. Currently, 6.1% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 236,157 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 8.3 days.

Benitec Biopharma Stock Down 0.3%

Shares of Benitec Biopharma stock traded down $0.03 on Friday, hitting $11.68. 113,308 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 154,954. The stock has a market cap of $395.51 million, a P/E ratio of -9.65 and a beta of 0.19. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $12.69 and its 200 day moving average is $13.20. Benitec Biopharma has a 52-week low of $9.70 and a 52-week high of $17.15.

Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 14th. The biotechnology company reported ($0.22) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.35) by $0.13. Equities research analysts forecast that Benitec Biopharma will post -1.48 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Benitec Biopharma

In related news, Director Suvretta Capital Management, L acquired 77,387 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 29th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $13.44 per share, with a total value of $1,040,081.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 9,700,195 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $130,370,620.80. The trade was a 0.80% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders acquired 1,671,845 shares of company stock valued at $22,442,099 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 4.80% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of Benitec Biopharma in the fourth quarter worth $111,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its holdings in Benitec Biopharma by 40.5% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 154,414 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $2,166,000 after purchasing an additional 44,489 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG boosted its position in Benitec Biopharma by 458.8% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 99,941 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $1,402,000 after buying an additional 82,057 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its position in shares of Benitec Biopharma by 44.5% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,937 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 904 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. bought a new stake in Benitec Biopharma during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $79,000. 52.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Citizens Jmp upped their price target on shares of Benitec Biopharma from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. HC Wainwright set a $32.00 price target on Benitec Biopharma and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Zacks Research raised Benitec Biopharma from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Benitec Biopharma from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 22nd. Finally, Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $26.25.

Benitec Biopharma Company Profile

Benitec Biopharma Ltd (NASDAQ: BNTC) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing gene-silencing therapies for serious human diseases. The company’s proprietary DNA-directed RNA interference (ddRNAi) platform is designed to enable sustained expression of small RNA molecules that specifically target and silence disease-causing genes. By integrating RNAi sequences directly into DNA constructs, ddRNAi aims to provide a long-term therapeutic effect from a single administration.

Benitec’s lead programs include development of ddRNAi candidates for chronic hepatitis B virus infection and for certain ocular conditions.