Precision BioSciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTIL) Stock Now Rated "Moderate Buy" by Sell-Side Brokerages

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is moderately positive: Five analysts give Precision BioSciences an average “Moderate Buy” rating, with four buys and one sell. The average 12-month price target is $32.25, well above the stock’s reported $6.72 price.
• Institutional ownership has increased: Several funds recently initiated or expanded positions, including Squarepoint Ops, which raised its holdings by 212.7%. Hedge funds and other institutions own approximately 37.99% of DTIL.
• Recent financial performance remains weak: Precision BioSciences reported a quarterly loss of $1.26 per share, missing the $0.80 consensus estimate, while posting a negative net margin of 96.73%. Analysts expect a full-year loss of $3.33 per share.

Precision BioSciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTIL - Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the five analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $32.25.

A number of brokerages have recently commented on DTIL. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Precision BioSciences from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 8th. HC Wainwright restated a "buy" rating on shares of Precision BioSciences in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Precision BioSciences in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of DTIL. Quantinno Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Precision BioSciences during the 1st quarter worth approximately $104,000. Engineers Gate Manager LP purchased a new stake in shares of Precision BioSciences in the second quarter valued at approximately $164,000. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in shares of Precision BioSciences by 167.6% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 27,416 shares of the company's stock valued at $151,000 after purchasing an additional 17,172 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Precision BioSciences in the second quarter valued at approximately $467,000. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC increased its holdings in shares of Precision BioSciences by 212.7% in the second quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 137,106 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,078,000 after purchasing an additional 93,258 shares during the last quarter. 37.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Precision BioSciences Price Performance

NASDAQ DTIL opened at $6.72 on Monday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $7.21 and a 200 day moving average price of $7.19. Precision BioSciences has a one year low of $3.53 and a one year high of $9.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 12.82 and a current ratio of 12.82. The company has a market cap of $185.47 million, a P/E ratio of -2.40 and a beta of 1.27.

Precision BioSciences (NASDAQ:DTIL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The company reported ($1.26) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.80) by ($0.46). Precision BioSciences had a negative net margin of 96.73% and a negative return on equity of 72.52%. Research analysts anticipate that Precision BioSciences will post -3.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Precision BioSciences Company Profile

Precision BioSciences, Inc is a biotechnology company developing gene-editing therapies for serious diseases. The company's work is based primarily on its proprietary ARCUS platform, which uses engineered nucleases designed to make precise changes to DNA inside the body.

Precision BioSciences is focused on in vivo gene editing programs addressing conditions including chronic hepatitis B, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Its development efforts are intended to remove, insert or repair genetic material and potentially provide durable treatments after a single administration.

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, the company has also pursued cell therapy programs and strategic collaborations to apply its gene-editing technology to additional therapeutic areas.

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