Traders Purchase High Volume of Call Options on Dynavax Technologies (NASDAQ:DVAX)

Dynavax Technologies Co. (NASDAQ:DVAX) was the target of unusually large options trading activity on Tuesday. Traders purchased 3,017 call options on the company. This represents an increase of approximately 803% compared to the typical volume of 334 call options.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Dynavax Technologies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,462,000. GF Fund Management CO. LTD. purchased a new stake in Dynavax Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at about $35,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its stake in Dynavax Technologies by 37.2% during the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 420,325 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $5,368,000 after purchasing an additional 113,872 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP increased its position in shares of Dynavax Technologies by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 794,475 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $10,145,000 after purchasing an additional 17,156 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC raised its holdings in shares of Dynavax Technologies by 509.3% during the 4th quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 124,807 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $1,594,000 after buying an additional 104,325 shares in the last quarter. 96.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Dynavax Technologies Stock Performance

Dynavax Technologies stock opened at $13.98 on Wednesday. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $13.27 and its 200 day simple moving average is $12.45. The company has a current ratio of 13.23, a quick ratio of 12.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. Dynavax Technologies has a 1-year low of $9.74 and a 1-year high of $14.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.73 billion, a PE ratio of 77.67 and a beta of 1.23.

Dynavax Technologies (NASDAQ:DVAX) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 20th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.05. The company had revenue of $72.03 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $72.70 million. Dynavax Technologies had a return on equity of 4.22% and a net margin of 9.85%. As a group, analysts expect that Dynavax Technologies will post 0.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. StockNews.com raised Dynavax Technologies from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, February 24th. HC Wainwright restated a “buy” rating and set a $31.00 price target on shares of Dynavax Technologies in a research note on Friday, February 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Dynavax Technologies from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating and lowered their target price for the company from $15.00 to $12.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, William Blair reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Dynavax Technologies in a research report on Friday, February 21st.

Dynavax Technologies Company Profile

Dynavax Technologies Corporation, a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on developing and commercializing vaccines in the United States. It markets HEPLISAV-B, a hepatitis B vaccine for prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus in age 18 years and older in the United States and Europe.