Aquatic Capital Management LLC Purchases 132,331 Shares of Exact Sciences Corporation $EXAS

Key Points

• Aquatic Capital increased its stake in Exact Sciences by 213.6% in Q3, buying 132,331 shares to own 194,273 shares worth about $10.63 million (≈0.10% of the company).
• Wall Street is largely cautious on EXAS — 21 analysts rate it a Hold and one a Sell, with a consensus target of $92.13 despite several firms issuing $105 targets and neutral/hold opinions.
• Exact Sciences has a $19.8B market cap but reported a Q recent EPS miss (−$0.21 vs. $0.08 expected), revenue up 23.1% YoY, a negative net margin (−6.4%), and a 1‑year high around $103.75.

Aquatic Capital Management LLC increased its position in Exact Sciences Corporation (NASDAQ:EXAS - Free Report) by 213.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 194,273 shares of the medical research company's stock after buying an additional 132,331 shares during the period. Aquatic Capital Management LLC owned 0.10% of Exact Sciences worth $10,629,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Westside Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Exact Sciences by 100.0% in the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 542 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 271 shares during the last quarter. Country Trust Bank acquired a new position in shares of Exact Sciences during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Exact Sciences during the 3rd quarter worth $48,000. OFI Invest Asset Management raised its holdings in shares of Exact Sciences by 241.2% during the 3rd quarter. OFI Invest Asset Management now owns 1,085 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 767 shares in the last quarter. Finally, China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Exact Sciences by 463.0% during the 2nd quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 1,216 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 88.82% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on EXAS. Mizuho reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $105.00 price objective (up from $85.00) on shares of Exact Sciences in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Craig Hallum lowered Exact Sciences from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $105.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Friday, November 21st. William Blair cut Exact Sciences from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Robert W. Baird set a $105.00 price target on Exact Sciences in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reissued an "equal weight" rating and set a $105.00 price objective (up from $85.00) on shares of Exact Sciences in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Twenty-one research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Reduce" and a consensus target price of $92.13.

Exact Sciences Stock Performance

NASDAQ:EXAS opened at $103.57 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.77 billion, a PE ratio of -94.15, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 1.41. Exact Sciences Corporation has a 1 year low of $38.81 and a 1 year high of $103.75. The company has a current ratio of 2.43, a quick ratio of 2.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $102.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is $84.12.

Exact Sciences (NASDAQ:EXAS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 13th. The medical research company reported ($0.21) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.08 by ($0.29). Exact Sciences had a positive return on equity of 0.53% and a negative net margin of 6.40%.During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($0.06) EPS. The business's revenue was up 23.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Exact Sciences Corporation will post -0.58 EPS for the current year.

About Exact Sciences

Exact Sciences Corporation is a molecular diagnostics company headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, dedicated to the early detection and prevention of cancer. The company's flagship product, Cologuard®, is a noninvasive, stool-based DNA screening test for colorectal cancer that was developed in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic. By combining DNA mutation analysis with hemoglobin detection, Cologuard aims to improve screening adherence and identify cancers and precancerous lesions in average-risk adults.

Since its founding in 1995, Exact Sciences has expanded its portfolio through strategic acquisitions and internal research and development.

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