Veracyte, Inc. (NASDAQ:VCYT) Shares Acquired by AQR Capital Management LLC

AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Veracyte, Inc. (NASDAQ:VCYT - Free Report) by 21.0% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 230,299 shares of the biotechnology company's stock after acquiring an additional 40,007 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC owned about 0.30% of Veracyte worth $9,120,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in Veracyte by 49.7% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 714 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 237 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System increased its position in shares of Veracyte by 1.2% in the fourth quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 22,276 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $882,000 after purchasing an additional 264 shares during the last quarter. Synovus Financial Corp lifted its position in Veracyte by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 23,132 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $916,000 after purchasing an additional 267 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Veracyte by 1.9% during the fourth quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 16,630 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $659,000 after purchasing an additional 305 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. boosted its stake in Veracyte by 34.1% in the fourth quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 1,909 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $76,000 after buying an additional 485 shares in the last quarter.

Veracyte Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:VCYT traded up $0.27 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $29.98. 91,898 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 881,726. The company's 50 day moving average price is $31.05 and its 200-day moving average price is $37.15. The firm has a market cap of $2.35 billion, a PE ratio of -199.04 and a beta of 2.14. Veracyte, Inc. has a 52 week low of $19.73 and a 52 week high of $47.32.

Veracyte (NASDAQ:VCYT - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 24th. The biotechnology company reported $0.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.29 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $118.63 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $110.73 million. Veracyte had a positive return on equity of 3.02% and a negative net margin of 2.18%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.39) earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Veracyte, Inc. will post 0.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group reduced their price target on Veracyte from $49.00 to $42.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. StockNews.com lowered Veracyte from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 26th. Needham & Company LLC decreased their target price on Veracyte from $51.00 to $41.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Guggenheim reduced their target price on Veracyte from $45.00 to $37.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Finally, Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $45.00 target price on shares of Veracyte in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Veracyte currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $40.90.

Veracyte Company Profile

Veracyte, Inc engages in the research, development and commercialization of diagnostic products. The firm's portfolio includes Afirma, Percepta, and Envisia. It intends to treat thyroid cancer, improve lung cancer screening, and clarify the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The company was founded by Bonnie H.