Lightwave Logic (NASDAQ:LWLG) Reaches New 12-Month High - Here's Why

Key Points

• Lightwave Logic Inc. (NASDAQ:LWLG) reached a new 52-week high of $5.40 during trading, reflecting strong investor interest and a recent increase in stock performance.
• Despite this uptick in stock price, analysts maintain a cautious outlook, with one firm reiterating a "sell" rating and another upgrading their position to "hold."
• Insider trading activity shows directors sold a total of 26,000 shares for approximately $106,300 in the last three months, indicating possible skepticism about future performance.

Shares of Lightwave Logic Inc. (NASDAQ:LWLG - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $5.40 and last traded at $5.19, with a volume of 40451 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.15.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings restated a "sell (e+)" rating on shares of Lightwave Logic in a research report on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen raised Lightwave Logic from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Sell".

Lightwave Logic Price Performance

The stock has a fifty day moving average of $3.16 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $770.17 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -33.05 and a beta of 2.53.

Lightwave Logic (NASDAQ:LWLG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 14th. The company reported ($0.05) earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $0.03 million for the quarter. Lightwave Logic had a negative return on equity of 66.64% and a negative net margin of 22,321.05%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Lightwave Logic

In other Lightwave Logic news, Director Thomas M. Connelly, Jr. sold 6,000 shares of Lightwave Logic stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $4.25, for a total transaction of $25,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 45,811 shares in the company, valued at $194,696.75. The trade was a 11.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ronald A. Bucchi sold 10,000 shares of Lightwave Logic stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.97, for a total transaction of $39,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 185,583 shares in the company, valued at approximately $736,764.51. The trade was a 5.11% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 26,000 shares of company stock valued at $106,300 in the last three months. Company insiders own 4.20% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Lightwave Logic

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Jane Street Group LLC grew its holdings in Lightwave Logic by 225.2% during the 2nd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 545,100 shares of the company's stock valued at $676,000 after buying an additional 377,484 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in shares of Lightwave Logic by 16.0% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 492,859 shares of the company's stock valued at $505,000 after purchasing an additional 67,992 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new stake in Lightwave Logic during the second quarter valued at $458,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in shares of Lightwave Logic by 5.8% in the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 367,092 shares of the company's stock valued at $455,000 after acquiring an additional 20,000 shares during the period. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in Lightwave Logic during the 1st quarter worth approximately $315,000. 27.04% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Lightwave Logic

Lightwave Logic, Inc focuses on the development of photonic devices and electro-optical polymer materials systems for fiber-optic data communications, telecommunications, and optical computing markets in the United States. The company is involved in the designing and synthesizing of organic chromophores for use in its electro-optic polymer systems and photonic device designs.

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