HC Wainwright Raises Earnings Estimates for Aura Biosciences

Aura Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:AURA) – Equities research analysts at HC Wainwright increased their Q3 2026 EPS estimates for Aura Biosciences in a report released on Tuesday, August 11th. HC Wainwright analyst A. Maldonado now expects that the company will post earnings of ($0.37) per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of ($0.50). HC Wainwright has a “Buy” rating and a $18.00 price objective on the stock. The consensus estimate for Aura Biosciences’ current full-year earnings is ($1.73) per share. HC Wainwright also issued estimates for Aura Biosciences’ Q4 2026 earnings at ($0.38) EPS, FY2026 earnings at ($1.71) EPS, FY2027 earnings at ($1.63) EPS, FY2028 earnings at ($1.24) EPS, FY2029 earnings at ($0.31) EPS and FY2030 earnings at $0.56 EPS.

Aura Biosciences (NASDAQ:AURA) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 11th. The company reported ($0.48) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.38) by ($0.10).

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Weiss Ratings upgraded Aura Biosciences from a “sell (e+)” rating to a “sell (d-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Leerink Partners set a $17.00 price target on Aura Biosciences in a research note on Tuesday, May 12th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Aura Biosciences from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, August 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $17.50.

Aura Biosciences Price Performance

Aura Biosciences stock opened at $7.75 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $801.66 million, a P/E ratio of -4.43 and a beta of 0.40. Aura Biosciences has a 1-year low of $4.73 and a 1-year high of $9.53. The company’s 50-day moving average is $6.98 and its 200 day moving average is $6.72.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Aura Biosciences

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Aura Biosciences during the first quarter valued at $137,000. Invesco Ltd. purchased a new stake in Aura Biosciences in the second quarter worth about $76,000. Nantahala Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Aura Biosciences by 67.1% in the second quarter. Nantahala Capital Management LLC now owns 2,117,697 shares of the company’s stock worth $13,257,000 after acquiring an additional 850,000 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in Aura Biosciences by 31.1% during the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 84,558 shares of the company’s stock worth $529,000 after acquiring an additional 20,065 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bridgeway Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Aura Biosciences during the 2nd quarter worth about $102,000. 96.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Anthony S. Gibney sold 12,824 shares of Aura Biosciences stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.42, for a total transaction of $82,330.08. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 265,354 shares in the company, valued at $1,703,572.68. This trade represents a 4.61% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. 1.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Trending Headlines about Aura Biosciences

Here are the key news stories impacting Aura Biosciences this week:

• Positive Sentiment: HC Wainwright raised its earnings forecasts across the outlook period. The firm reduced its projected losses for fiscal 2026 through 2029 and now expects positive EPS of $0.56 in 2030, compared with a prior estimate of a $0.76 loss. HC Wainwright maintained a “Buy” rating, although it lowered its price target to $18 from $24. HC Wainwright forecast for Aura Biosciences
• Positive Sentiment: Aura’s lead therapy remains the main potential catalyst. The company is developing bel-sar for early choroidal melanoma. Its Phase 3 CoMpass trial is fully enrolled, with topline data expected in the second half of 2027; prior Phase 2 results showed 80% tumor control and a favorable safety profile. Aura also raised $299 million, which is expected to fund operations into 2029 and reduce near-term financing risk. Aura Biosciences ocular oncology update
• Neutral Sentiment: Management is refocusing the company on ocular oncology. Aura replaced members of its executive team and eliminated approximately 20% of its workforce. The changes could improve cost discipline and operational focus, but they also highlight ongoing efforts to conserve cash while the company advances its clinical program. Aura workforce reduction and leadership changes
• Negative Sentiment: Aura reported a larger-than-expected quarterly loss. EPS was negative $0.48 versus the consensus estimate of negative $0.38, underscoring that the company remains unprofitable and dependent on clinical and regulatory progress. Aura Biosciences second-quarter results
• Negative Sentiment: HC Wainwright’s price-target reduction limits the immediate bullish impact. While the firm retained its Buy rating and still sees substantial potential upside, the cut from $24 to $18 reflects a more cautious valuation view.

About Aura Biosciences

Aura Biosciences is a clinical‐stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel virus‐like particle (VLP) therapies for the treatment of cancer. By combining proprietary VLP technology with photoactivatable dyes, Aura aims to deliver highly selective photodynamic therapies that target and destroy tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. The company’s platform is designed to address solid tumors in both ophthalmic and non‐ophthalmic settings, leveraging precision activation via near‐infrared light to induce localized tumor cell apoptosis and stimulate anti‐tumor immune responses.

The lead product candidate, AU-011, is being evaluated in patients with choroidal melanoma, a rare but potentially sight-threatening eye cancer.