LanzaTech Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:LNZA) Short Interest Up 133.4% in March

Key Points

• Short interest surged 133.4% in March to 54,021 shares (about 2.4% of the stock) with a days-to-cover of just 0.5, signaling increased bearish positioning but low cover risk given current volume.
• A major insider, New Zealand Super Guardians, bought 860,000 shares at $5 on Jan. 21 (raising its stake to 1,192,634 shares), and company insiders now own about 4.5% of the stock.
• LanzaTech reported an upside surprise — EPS of ($0.04) vs. consensus ($6.47) and revenue $28.0M vs. $12.2M — yet analysts still carry a consensus "Reduce" rating with a $14 target price.

LanzaTech Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:LNZA - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totaling 54,021 shares, an increase of 133.4% from the March 15th total of 23,148 shares. Currently, 2.4% of the company's stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 111,291 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.5 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of LanzaTech Global to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. Weiss Ratings restated a "sell (e+)" rating on shares of LanzaTech Global in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, LanzaTech Global currently has a consensus rating of "Reduce" and a consensus target price of $14.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other LanzaTech Global news, major shareholder Of New Zealand Super Guardians acquired 860,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 21st. The shares were acquired at an average price of $5.00 per share, for a total transaction of $4,300,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider owned 1,192,634 shares in the company, valued at $5,963,170. This trade represents a 258.54% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 4.50% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of LanzaTech Global

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd purchased a new stake in LanzaTech Global during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in LanzaTech Global by 1,045.1% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 184,346 shares of the company's stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 168,247 shares during the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd increased its holdings in LanzaTech Global by 380.5% during the second quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 188,891 shares of the company's stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 149,576 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in LanzaTech Global during the second quarter valued at approximately $82,000. Finally, DRW Securities LLC purchased a new stake in LanzaTech Global during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $160,000. 17.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

LanzaTech Global Trading Up 4.2%

LNZA stock traded up $1.09 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $27.15. 19,214 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 82,553. LanzaTech Global has a 52-week low of $7.88 and a 52-week high of $71.19. The stock has a market cap of $62.99 million and a P/E ratio of -2.95. The stock's 50-day moving average is $13.95 and its 200 day moving average is $16.35.

LanzaTech Global (NASDAQ:LNZA - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, March 31st. The company reported ($0.04) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of ($6.47) by $6.43. The business had revenue of $28.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $12.20 million. As a group, research analysts expect that LanzaTech Global will post -0.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About LanzaTech Global

LanzaTech Global, Inc is a carbon recycling company that specializes in capturing industrial emissions and converting them into sustainable fuels and chemicals through a proprietary gas fermentation process. By utilizing metal- and microbe-catalyzed conversion technologies, the company transforms waste carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide streams from steel mills, refineries, and other industrial sites into ethanol, jet fuel precursors, and other commodity chemicals. These products can be used as drop-in replacements for petrochemicals, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance circular economy initiatives.

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Skokie, Illinois, LanzaTech has developed its platform through research collaborations and commercial demonstration plants.

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