Benitec Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ:BNTC) Shares Sold by AWM Investment Company Inc.

AWM Investment Company Inc. cut its holdings in shares of Benitec Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ:BNTC - Free Report) by 83.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 102,027 shares of the biotechnology company's stock after selling 522,973 shares during the period. AWM Investment Company Inc. owned 0.44% of Benitec Biopharma worth $1,289,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in Benitec Biopharma by 54.2% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 38,200 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $482,000 after buying an additional 13,425 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its position in shares of Benitec Biopharma by 138.4% in the 4th quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 35,476 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $448,000 after purchasing an additional 20,597 shares during the last quarter. Lion Point Capital LP boosted its stake in Benitec Biopharma by 59.0% in the 4th quarter. Lion Point Capital LP now owns 62,000 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $783,000 after purchasing an additional 23,000 shares in the last quarter. 683 Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Benitec Biopharma in the 4th quarter worth approximately $452,000. Finally, MYDA Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Benitec Biopharma during the 4th quarter worth approximately $632,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.19% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on BNTC. JMP Securities restated a "market outperform" rating and issued a $20.00 target price on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research note on Thursday, May 15th. HC Wainwright reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $28.00 price target on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research report on Monday, May 19th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $24.71.

Insider Buying and Selling at Benitec Biopharma

In other Benitec Biopharma news, Director Suvretta Capital Management, L purchased 900,000 shares of Benitec Biopharma stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 26th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $13.00 per share, with a total value of $11,700,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 8,793,245 shares of the company's stock, valued at $114,312,185. This trade represents a 11.40% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 1.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Benitec Biopharma Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ BNTC traded down $0.40 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $13.19. 36,388 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 41,273. Benitec Biopharma Inc. has a twelve month low of $5.74 and a twelve month high of $16.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $337.66 million, a P/E ratio of -8.74 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $13.54 and a 200 day simple moving average of $12.14.

Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 14th. The biotechnology company reported ($0.24) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.36) by $0.12. On average, research analysts expect that Benitec Biopharma Inc. will post -1.48 earnings per share for the current 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.