AWM Investment Company Inc. Increases Holdings in Benitec Biopharma Limited $BNTC

Key Points

• AWM Investment Company Inc. increased its stake in Benitec Biopharma by 35.2%, acquiring an additional 35,950 shares, bringing its total ownership to 137,977 shares valued at approximately $1.8 million.
• Institutional ownership of Benitec Biopharma stands at 52.19%, with several firms, including Ameriprise Financial and Northern Trust, significantly increasing their positions during the last two quarters.
• Analysts are generally positive on Benitec Biopharma's outlook, with a consensus "Buy" rating and an average price target of $26.00.

AWM Investment Company Inc. lifted its position in Benitec Biopharma Limited (NASDAQ:BNTC - Free Report) by 35.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 137,977 shares of the biotechnology company's stock after purchasing an additional 35,950 shares during the quarter. AWM Investment Company Inc. owned about 0.59% of Benitec Biopharma worth $1,795,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of Benitec Biopharma by 1,104.3% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 77,605 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $1,010,000 after purchasing an additional 71,161 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its holdings in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 20,597 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in shares of Benitec Biopharma by 54.2% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 38,200 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $482,000 after purchasing an additional 13,425 shares during the last quarter. MYDA Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Benitec Biopharma by 4.0% in the first quarter. MYDA Advisors LLC now owns 52,000 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $677,000 after purchasing an additional 2,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Informed Momentum Co LLC bought a new stake in shares of Benitec Biopharma in the first quarter worth about $512,000. 52.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Benitec Biopharma Trading Down 3.5%

Shares of BNTC traded down $0.49 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $13.43. 16,283 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 67,829. The stock has a market cap of $352.41 million, a P/E ratio of -8.88 and a beta of 0.43. The stock's 50-day moving average is $12.41 and its two-hundred day moving average is $13.31. Benitec Biopharma Limited has a 12 month low of $8.06 and a 12 month high of $17.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a current ratio of 14.80 and a quick ratio of 14.80.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BNTC has been the topic of several research reports. JMP Securities reaffirmed a "market outperform" rating and issued a $20.00 target price on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a report on Thursday, May 15th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Benitec Biopharma in a report on Monday, July 7th. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. Finally, HC Wainwright restated a "buy" rating and set a $28.00 price objective on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research report on Monday, May 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and seven have issued a Buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Benitec Biopharma presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $26.00.

Benitec Biopharma 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.