HC Wainwright Reiterates Buy Rating for Opus Genetics (NASDAQ:IRD)

Key Points

• HC Wainwright reiterated a Buy rating on Opus Genetics with an $8 price target, implying 46.65% upside from the prior close. Other analysts also remain broadly positive, giving the stock a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and average target of $10.69.
• Opus Genetics shares rose to $5.46 in heavy trading, while the company continues to post losses and modest revenue. Its latest quarterly loss of $0.14 per share beat estimates, but revenue of $0.76 million fell well short of the $2.63 million consensus forecast.
• The company reported encouraging early Phase 1/2 data for OPGx-BEST1, though results came from just five low-dose patients. Opus plans to complete additional dosing in late 2026 and could begin Phase 3 testing in 2027, leaving substantial clinical-development risk.

Opus Genetics (NASDAQ:IRD - Get Free Report)'s stock had its "buy" rating reissued by equities research analysts at HC Wainwright in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $8.00 price target on the stock. HC Wainwright's target price suggests a potential upside of 46.65% from the company's previous close.

IRD has been the subject of a number of other reports. BTIG Research restated a "buy" rating and issued a $12.00 price objective on shares of Opus Genetics in a report on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings restated a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Opus Genetics in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Opus Genetics from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday, August 16th. Chardan Capital reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $13.00 price objective on shares of Opus Genetics in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, TD Cowen began coverage on Opus Genetics in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $10.69.

Opus Genetics Price Performance

NASDAQ:IRD traded up $1.11 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $5.46. 43,688,187 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,229,557. Opus Genetics has a one year low of $1.32 and a one year high of $7.07. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $3.79 and a 200 day moving average price of $4.29. The company has a market cap of $450.86 million, a PE ratio of -4.05 and a beta of 0.58.

Opus Genetics (NASDAQ:IRD - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.14) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.16) by $0.02. The business had revenue of $0.76 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.63 million. Opus Genetics had a negative net margin of 1,091.82% and a negative return on equity of 338.88%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Opus Genetics will post -0.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Opus Genetics

In related news, CEO George Magrath sold 9,475 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $2.95, for a total value of $27,951.25. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 1,731,869 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,109,013.55. The trade was a 0.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, CFO Robert Gagnon sold 28,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.54, for a total value of $127,120.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 556,375 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,525,942.50. This represents a 4.79% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Insiders have sold 57,331 shares of company stock valued at $213,749 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 11.70% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Opus Genetics

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP bought a new position in Opus Genetics in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Comerica Bank bought a new stake in shares of Opus Genetics in the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Opus Genetics in the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. grew its position in shares of Opus Genetics by 95.6% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 22,508 shares of the company's stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 11,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. bought a new position in shares of Opus Genetics during the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. 14.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Opus Genetics News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Opus Genetics this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Promising Phase 1/2 data: All five patients in the low-dose Cohort 1 showed clinically meaningful improvements in visual function, with three experiencing improved best-corrected visual acuity and three of four evaluable patients showing improved retinal sensitivity. Four patients also demonstrated structural retinal improvements. No serious adverse events or dose-limiting toxicities were reported. Opus Genetics OPGx-BEST1 clinical trial announcement
• Positive Sentiment: Potential path to pivotal testing: Following an FDA Type C meeting, regulators aligned with a potential pivotal endpoint combining at least a three-decibel microperimetry improvement with patient-reported outcomes. Opus expects to complete Cohort 2 dosing in the fourth quarter of 2026, report initial data in the second quarter of 2027 and potentially begin Phase 3 dosing in 2027. The company expects its cash runway to extend into 2029. RTTNews OPGx-BEST1 report
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: BTIG Research reaffirmed a Buy rating with a $12 price target, while Chardan Capital maintained its Buy rating and $13 target. These targets imply substantial upside if the clinical program advances successfully.
• Positive Sentiment: Speculative positioning increased: Investors traded 4,820 call options, approximately 681% above typical volume, signaling heightened bullish interest and contributing to unusually heavy activity in the shares.
• Neutral Sentiment: Insider transaction: CFO Robert Gagnon sold 28,000 shares for approximately $127,120 to cover tax withholding tied to vested equity awards. Because the sale was tax-related and he retained more than 556,000 shares, the signal is limited.
• Negative Sentiment: Clinical-stage risk remains: The positive results come from only five low-dose participants, and a Phase 3 trial is still prospective. Larger studies could produce different efficacy or safety outcomes, leaving Opus Genetics dependent on further clinical milestones.

About Opus Genetics

Opus Genetics Inc is a clinical-stage ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company, focuses on developing and commercializing therapies for the treatment of unmet needs of patients with refractive and retinal eye disorders. Opus Genetics Inc, formerly known as Ocuphire Pharma Inc, is based in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

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