Kezar Life Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:KZR) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Kezar Life Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:KZR - Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 4,150,000 shares, an increase of 8.6% from the April 15th total of 3,820,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 778,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 5.3 days.

Kezar Life Sciences Stock Performance

NASDAQ KZR remained flat at $0.77 during mid-day trading on Thursday. 613,417 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 695,779. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $0.85 and a 200 day simple moving average of $0.87. The company has a quick ratio of 11.49, a current ratio of 11.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. Kezar Life Sciences has a 12-month low of $0.67 and a 12-month high of $3.13. The stock has a market cap of $55.91 million, a P/E ratio of -0.55 and a beta of 0.47.

Kezar Life Sciences (NASDAQ:KZR - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, March 14th. The company reported ($0.35) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.39) by $0.04. Equities analysts predict that Kezar Life Sciences will post -1.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, HC Wainwright reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $20.00 target price on shares of Kezar Life Sciences in a research report on Friday, May 10th.

Institutional Trading of Kezar Life Sciences

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its holdings in Kezar Life Sciences by 33.8% in the fourth quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 43,950 shares of the company's stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 11,109 shares during the last quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in Kezar Life Sciences during the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Kezar Life Sciences by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,094,224 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,790,000 after acquiring an additional 30,740 shares in the last quarter. Pale Fire Capital SE purchased a new stake in Kezar Life Sciences during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $82,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its holdings in Kezar Life Sciences by 35.4% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 273,430 shares of the company's stock worth $247,000 after purchasing an additional 71,543 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.90% of the company's stock.

Kezar Life Sciences Company Profile

Kezar Life Sciences, Inc, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, engages in the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics to treat unmet needs in immune-mediated diseases and cancer in the United States. The company's lead product candidate is zetomipzomib (KZR-616), a selective immunoproteasome inhibitor that is in Phase 2b clinical trials for various indications, including lupus nephritis, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis; Phase 1b clinical trials in systemic lupus erythematosus; and completed Phase 2a clinical trials in lupus nephritis.