Benitec Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ:BNTC) Short Interest Up 17.6% in February

Benitec Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ:BNTC) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 174,800 shares, a growth of 17.6% from the February 13th total of 148,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 49,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.5 days. Currently, 0.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Robert W. Baird assumed coverage on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a report on Friday, December 13th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $30.00 price target on the stock. Baird R W upgraded shares of Benitec Biopharma to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. HC Wainwright reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $28.00 price objective on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating and issued a $17.00 price target on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research report on Tuesday, December 3rd. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $24.43.

Insider Transactions at Benitec Biopharma

In related news, Director Suvretta Capital Management, L bought 27,502 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 23rd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $10.98 per share, with a total value of $301,971.96. Following the transaction, the director now owns 7,981,725 shares in the company, valued at approximately $87,639,340.50. This trade represents a 0.35 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Benitec Biopharma

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BNTC. Acuta Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Benitec Biopharma during the 3rd quarter worth about $274,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its position in shares of Benitec Biopharma by 138.4% during the fourth quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 35,476 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $448,000 after buying an additional 20,597 shares in the last quarter. 683 Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Benitec Biopharma during the fourth quarter worth about $452,000. Northern Trust Corp grew its position in shares of Benitec Biopharma by 54.2% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 38,200 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $482,000 after buying an additional 13,425 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MYDA Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Benitec Biopharma during the fourth quarter worth about $632,000. 52.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Benitec Biopharma Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:BNTC opened at $16.79 on Friday. Benitec Biopharma has a 1 year low of $4.75 and a 1 year high of $16.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $393.74 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -11.12 and a beta of 0.92. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $11.81 and its 200-day moving average price is $10.89.

Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 14th. The biotechnology company reported ($0.36) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.55) by $0.19. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Benitec Biopharma will post -1.48 earnings per share for the current year.

About Benitec Biopharma

Benitec Biopharma Inc, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, focuses on the development of novel genetic medicines. The company develops DNA-directed RNA interference-based therapeutics for chronic and life-threatening human conditions. It is developing BB-301, an adeno-associated virus based gene therapy agent for treating oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.