Benitec Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ:BNTC) Short Interest Update

Benitec Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ:BNTC - Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 439,200 shares, a growth of 24.0% from the April 30th total of 354,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 46,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 9.4 days. Approximately 1.9% of the company's shares are sold short.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on BNTC shares. JMP Securities reiterated a "market outperform" rating and issued a $20.00 price objective on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a report on Thursday, May 15th. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $28.00 price target on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Benitec Biopharma currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $24.71.

Benitec Biopharma Stock Performance

Shares of BNTC traded up $0.83 on Friday, reaching $16.00. The stock had a trading volume of 63,784 shares, compared to its average volume of 41,406. The firm has a market capitalization of $409.60 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.60 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $13.71 and a 200-day simple moving average of $12.45. Benitec Biopharma has a 12-month low of $5.74 and a 12-month high of $16.90.

Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 14th. The biotechnology company reported ($0.24) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.36) by $0.12. On average, analysts expect that Benitec Biopharma will post -1.48 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Benitec Biopharma

In other news, Director Suvretta Capital Management, L bought 900,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 26th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $13.00 per share, for a total transaction of $11,700,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 8,793,245 shares in the company, valued at approximately $114,312,185. This trade represents a 11.40% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 1.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its holdings in Benitec Biopharma by 138.4% in 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 during the last quarter. 683 Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Benitec Biopharma in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $452,000. Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in Benitec Biopharma by 54.2% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 38,200 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $482,000 after acquiring an additional 13,425 shares in the last quarter. Informed Momentum Co LLC purchased a new position in shares of Benitec Biopharma in the first quarter worth $512,000. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Benitec Biopharma in the first quarter worth $597,000. 52.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.