Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC) Upgraded to Hold at Wall Street Zen

Key Points

• Benitec Biopharma has been upgraded from a "sell" to a "hold" rating by investment analysts at Wall Street Zen, indicating a shift in market sentiment.
• The company reported a quarterly earnings miss, with earnings per share at ($0.42), falling short of analysts' expectations of ($0.24).
• Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.19% of Benitec Biopharma's stock, highlighting significant institutional interest in the company.

Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC - Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at Wall Street Zen from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report issued on Saturday.

A number of other equities analysts have also commented on the stock. Zacks Research lowered shares of Benitec Biopharma from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. TD Cowen began coverage on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a report on Monday, July 7th. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research report on Friday. Oppenheimer reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $29.00 price target (down from $35.00) on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Finally, JMP Securities restated a "market outperform" rating and set a $20.00 price objective on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $24.80.

Benitec Biopharma Stock Up 4.5%

Shares of BNTC stock opened at $16.52 on Friday. Benitec Biopharma has a 52-week low of $9.10 and a 52-week high of $17.15. The stock has a market cap of $433.65 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -11.24 and a beta of 0.41. The firm's 50-day moving average is $14.03 and its 200-day moving average is $13.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 54.67 and a current ratio of 54.67.

Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC - Get Free Report) last announced 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). Sell-side analysts predict that Benitec Biopharma will post -1.48 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Benitec Biopharma

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BNTC. Infinitum Asset Management LLC grew its position in Benitec Biopharma by 435.7% in the 1st quarter. Infinitum Asset Management LLC now owns 1,125,000 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $14,636,000 after purchasing an additional 915,000 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Benitec Biopharma by 77.6% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 415,211 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $4,859,000 after buying an additional 181,391 shares during the last quarter. AWM Investment Company Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Benitec Biopharma by 35.2% in the first quarter. AWM Investment Company Inc. now owns 137,977 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $1,795,000 after buying an additional 35,950 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Benitec Biopharma by 219.4% during the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 109,925 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $1,286,000 after buying an additional 75,507 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Simplify Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Benitec Biopharma by 13.8% during the third quarter. Simplify Asset Management Inc. now owns 78,725 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $1,105,000 after acquiring an additional 9,552 shares in the last quarter. 52.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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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