Benitec Biopharma Limited (NASDAQ:BNTC) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Key Points

• Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC) received a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from nine analysts, with an average twelve-month target price of $24.80.
• The company has faced mixed analyst opinions, with JMP Securities maintaining a price target of $20.00, while Zacks Research downgraded the stock to a "strong sell" rating.
• Benitec Biopharma's stock is currently valued at $16.52, showing recent fluctuations with a one-year low of $9.10 and a high of $17.15.

Benitec Biopharma Limited (NASDAQ:BNTC - Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the nine analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have assigned a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $24.80.

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. JMP Securities restated a "market outperform" rating and issued a $20.00 price target on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. Oppenheimer restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $29.00 price target (down previously from $35.00) on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Benitec Biopharma from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a report on Friday. Finally, Zacks Research cut shares of Benitec Biopharma from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a report on Monday, October 6th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Benitec Biopharma

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey purchased a new position in shares of Benitec Biopharma during the second quarter valued at approximately $38,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new position in shares of Benitec Biopharma during the second quarter valued at approximately $80,000. Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in Benitec Biopharma by 2,255.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 6,879 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $80,000 after buying an additional 6,587 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. bought a new stake in Benitec Biopharma in the second quarter worth $93,000. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund purchased a new position in shares of Benitec Biopharma in the 2nd quarter worth about $95,000. 52.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Benitec Biopharma Stock Up 4.5%

NASDAQ BNTC opened at $16.52 on Friday. Benitec Biopharma has a one year low of $9.10 and a one year high of $17.15. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $14.03 and its 200 day simple moving average is $13.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a current ratio of 54.67 and a quick ratio of 54.67. The firm has a market cap of $433.65 million, a PE ratio of -11.24 and a beta of 0.41.

Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 25th. The biotechnology company reported ($0.42) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.24) by ($0.18). As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Benitec Biopharma will post -1.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Benitec Biopharma Company Profile

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.

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