Aclaris Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ACRS) Announces Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.01 EPS

Key Points

• Aclaris reported Q results with EPS of −$0.15, beating estimates by $0.01 and generating revenue of $2.0M versus a $1.24M consensus, but remains deeply unprofitable with a net margin of −829.58% and ROE of −52.04%.
• Shares rose about 1.7% to $4.86 after the release, giving the company a market cap of roughly $678.8M and leaving the stock near its 12‑month high of $4.89.
• Analysts are largely upbeat with an average price target of $11.00 (several buy/strong‑buy ratings), while a major insider sold 300,000 shares and institutional ownership is reported at about 98%.

Aclaris Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ACRS - Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The biotechnology company reported ($0.15) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.16) by $0.01, FiscalAI reports. Aclaris Therapeutics had a negative net margin of 829.58% and a negative return on equity of 52.04%. The company had revenue of $2.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.24 million.

Aclaris Therapeutics Trading Up 1.7%

ACRS stock traded up $0.08 on Thursday, hitting $4.86. The company had a trading volume of 1,135,672 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,366,799. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $3.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is $3.26. The stock has a market cap of $678.75 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.17 and a beta of 0.76. Aclaris Therapeutics has a 12-month low of $1.16 and a 12-month high of $4.89.

Insider Buying and Selling at Aclaris Therapeutics

In other news, major shareholder Braden Michael Leonard sold 300,000 shares of Aclaris Therapeutics stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $4.53, for a total transaction of $1,359,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 13,950,000 shares in the company, valued at $63,193,500. This trade represents a 2.11% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 5.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Aclaris Therapeutics

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Aclaris Therapeutics by 197.0% in the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 103,792 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $312,000 after acquiring an additional 68,840 shares during the last quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Aclaris Therapeutics in the 4th quarter valued at $268,000. Quadrature Capital Ltd increased its holdings in Aclaris Therapeutics by 82.8% in the 4th quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd now owns 57,670 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $174,000 after acquiring an additional 26,117 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers increased its holdings in Aclaris Therapeutics by 7.4% in the 3rd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 91,236 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $173,000 after acquiring an additional 6,271 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Man Group plc bought a new stake in Aclaris Therapeutics in the 4th quarter valued at $128,000. 98.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently commented on ACRS. Craig Hallum began coverage on shares of Aclaris Therapeutics in a report on Friday, January 30th. They set a "buy" rating and a $10.00 price target on the stock. Piper Sandler increased their price target on shares of Aclaris Therapeutics from $7.00 to $11.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday. UBS Group set a $10.00 price target on shares of Aclaris Therapeutics in a report on Thursday, April 16th. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on shares of Aclaris Therapeutics in a report on Thursday, April 16th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $10.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Aclaris Therapeutics from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Sunday, April 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $11.00.

About Aclaris Therapeutics

Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc NASDAQ: ACRS is a clinical‐stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel small‐molecule therapies for dermatologic diseases and related rare disorders. The company's pipeline includes several product candidates designed to address chronic inflammatory skin conditions and non‐melanoma skin lesions. Lead programs include ATI‐50002, a topical agent in late‐stage development for molluscum contagiosum removal; ATI‐50003 for common wart resolution; ATI‐1501, an oral JAK1/2 inhibitor targeting pruritic disorders; and ATI‐450, an oral MK2 inhibitor for inflammatory indications.

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, Aclaris leverages proprietary chemistry platforms and translational research capabilities to advance multiple clinical and preclinical candidates.

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