Pulse Biosciences (NASDAQ:PLSE) Shares Gap Down - Should You Sell?

Key Points

• Pulse Biosciences shares fell sharply, opening at $52.55 after previously closing at $55.20 and later trading near $50.30.
• Analyst sentiment remains broadly positive, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $45.25, although targets range from $43 to $58 and one service maintains a sell rating.
• The company reported weaker-than-expected quarterly results, including an EPS loss of $0.36 versus the $0.29 estimate and revenue of $0.43 million versus $0.53 million expected; analysts forecast a full-year loss of $1.29 per share.

Pulse Biosciences, Inc (NASDAQ:PLSE - Get Free Report)'s stock price gapped down before the market opened on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $55.20, but opened at $52.55. Pulse Biosciences shares last traded at $50.3040, with a volume of 87,788 shares.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on PLSE shares. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price objective on shares of Pulse Biosciences from $32.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, August 10th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Pulse Biosciences in a report on Friday, July 17th. Oppenheimer restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Pulse Biosciences in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Needham & Company LLC assumed coverage on Pulse Biosciences in a research report on Monday, August 17th. They set a "buy" rating and a $58.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Pulse Biosciences from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, September 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $45.25.

Pulse Biosciences Stock Performance

The business's 50-day moving average price is $41.40 and its 200 day moving average price is $29.57. The company has a market cap of $3.46 billion, a P/E ratio of -42.26 and a beta of 1.63.

Pulse Biosciences (NASDAQ:PLSE - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.36) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.29) by ($0.07). Pulse Biosciences had a negative net margin of 6,755.78% and a negative return on equity of 94.42%. The firm had revenue of $0.43 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $0.53 million. Equities research analysts forecast that Pulse Biosciences, Inc will post -1.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Pulse Biosciences

In other Pulse Biosciences news, COO Liane Teplitsky acquired 1,001 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 1st. The shares were purchased at an average price of $49.95 per share, for a total transaction of $49,999.95. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief operating officer directly owned 4,095 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $204,545.25. This represents a 32.35% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders purchased a total of 4,095 shares of company stock valued at $199,931 in the last 90 days. 74.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in PLSE. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Pulse Biosciences during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Jupiter Topco LLC acquired a new position in Pulse Biosciences in the 2nd quarter valued at $241,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new position in Pulse Biosciences in the 2nd quarter valued at $290,000. Legal & General Group Plc bought a new stake in shares of Pulse Biosciences during the 2nd quarter valued at $395,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers bought a new stake in shares of Pulse Biosciences during the 1st quarter valued at $387,000. 76.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Pulse Biosciences

Pulse Biosciences, Inc is a medical technology company developing proprietary bioelectric therapies based on its Nano-Pulse Stimulation technology. The platform delivers ultrashort electrical pulses designed to affect targeted cells while limiting thermal damage to surrounding noncellular tissue.

The company's primary product is the CellFX System, which is designed to deliver Nano-Pulse Stimulation treatments for certain dermatological conditions. Pulse Biosciences is also developing additional applications for its technology in areas including cardiac procedures and other medical specialties.

Pulse Biosciences was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Hayward, California.

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