Wakefield Asset Management LLLP Invests $1.24 Million in Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc $AUPH

Wakefield Asset Management LLLP purchased a new position in shares of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:AUPH) (TSE:AUP) in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor purchased 77,895 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,242,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in AUPH. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. acquired a new position in shares of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals during the 3rd quarter worth $48,000. State of Alaska Department of Revenue acquired a new position in shares of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals during the 3rd quarter worth $91,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals by 25.9% during the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 6,407 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $102,000 after buying an additional 1,318 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its position in Aurinia Pharmaceuticals by 32.4% during the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 13,034 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $110,000 after purchasing an additional 3,191 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. purchased a new stake in Aurinia Pharmaceuticals during the 3rd quarter worth about $137,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 36.83% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Kevin Tang acquired 516,439 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 27th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $13.99 per share, for a total transaction of $7,224,981.61. Following the transaction, the director owned 11,845,939 shares in the company, valued at $165,724,686.61. This trade represents a 4.56% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 12.20% of the company’s stock.

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Trading Down 3.5%

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals stock opened at $15.28 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $1.97 billion, a PE ratio of 7.04 and a beta of 1.44. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $15.28 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.10. Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc has a 52 week low of $7.28 and a 52 week high of $16.88. The company has a current ratio of 5.55, a quick ratio of 5.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08.

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:AUPH) (TSE:AUP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 7th. The biotechnology company reported $0.25 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.18 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $77.71 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $76.98 million. Aurinia Pharmaceuticals had a return on equity of 26.62% and a net margin of 99.97%. Equities research analysts predict that Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc will post 0.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Weiss Ratings upgraded Aurinia Pharmaceuticals from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $17.25.

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Profile

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc is a clinical‐stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for autoimmune diseases. The company’s proprietary molecule, voclosporin, is designed to selectively inhibit calcineurin and reduce inflammation associated with autoimmune responses. Aurinia operates research and development facilities in Canada and the United States, leveraging collaborations with academic institutions and contract research organizations to advance its clinical pipeline.

The company’s lead product, voclosporin (marketed as LUPKYNIS), received approval from the U.S.