Short Interest in Cerus Co. (NASDAQ:CERS) Rises By 16.0%

Cerus Co. (NASDAQ:CERS - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 5,880,000 shares, an increase of 16.0% from the March 15th total of 5,070,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,620,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.6 days.

Cerus Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ CERS traded up $0.05 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $1.75. 2,033,101 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,208,302. Cerus has a fifty-two week low of $1.21 and a fifty-two week high of $3.08. The firm has a market cap of $317.24 million, a PE ratio of -8.33 and a beta of 1.29. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $2.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $1.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 2.14 and a quick ratio of 1.55.

Cerus (NASDAQ:CERS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 5th. The biotechnology company reported ($0.01) EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of ($0.01). Cerus had a negative net margin of 23.98% and a negative return on equity of 67.17%. The firm had revenue of $46.77 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $46.80 million. Equities research analysts anticipate that Cerus will post -0.09 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $3.00 price target on shares of Cerus in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. Craig Hallum started coverage on Cerus in a report on Friday. They set a "buy" rating and a $5.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Stephens restated an "equal weight" rating and issued a $2.50 target price on shares of Cerus in a research report on Thursday, March 7th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Cerus news, SVP Carol Moore sold 20,619 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2.02, for a total transaction of $41,650.38. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 490,623 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $991,058.46. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Cerus news, CEO William Mariner Greenman sold 62,315 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2.06, for a total transaction of $128,368.90. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 3,244,892 shares in the company, valued at $6,684,477.52. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Carol Moore sold 20,619 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2.02, for a total transaction of $41,650.38. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 490,623 shares in the company, valued at $991,058.46. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 177,516 shares of company stock worth $372,912. Insiders own 7.05% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Cerus

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Sepio Capital LP raised its holdings in Cerus by 789.1% during the 3rd quarter. Sepio Capital LP now owns 3,497,407 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $5,280,000 after buying an additional 3,104,062 shares during the period. GSA Capital Partners LLP raised its holdings in shares of Cerus by 1,878.8% during the third quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 1,292,053 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $2,093,000 after acquiring an additional 1,226,757 shares during the period. Barclays PLC lifted its position in shares of Cerus by 18.7% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 1,408,323 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $2,281,000 after acquiring an additional 221,859 shares in the last quarter. ARK Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Cerus by 4.2% in the 4th quarter. ARK Investment Management LLC now owns 20,914,326 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $45,175,000 after purchasing an additional 852,420 shares during the period. Finally, Algert Global LLC grew its position in Cerus by 13.6% during the 3rd quarter. Algert Global LLC now owns 593,092 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $961,000 after purchasing an additional 71,020 shares in the last quarter. 78.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Cerus

Cerus Corporation operates as a biomedical products company. The company focuses on developing and commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System to enhance blood safety. Its INTERCEPT Blood System, a proprietary technology for controlling biological replication that is designed to reduce blood-borne pathogens in donated blood components intended for transfusion.

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