ProQR Therapeutics N.V. (NASDAQ:PRQR) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Key Points

• ProQR Therapeutics N.V. experienced a **53.6% increase** in short interest from mid-August to the end of August, rising to **549,700 shares** shorted, with a days-to-cover ratio of **1.8 days**.
• The company's recent quarterly earnings report showed a loss of **($0.14) per share**, missing the consensus estimate, and revenue of **$4.33 million**, below expectations of **$5.01 million**.
• Analyst ratings for ProQR Therapeutics are generally positive, with a **consensus rating of "Buy"** and an average target price of **$8.00** per share.

ProQR Therapeutics N.V. (NASDAQ:PRQR - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 549,700 shares, an increase of 53.6% from the August 15th total of 357,900 shares. Currently, 0.6% of the company's shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 313,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.8 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 313,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.8 days. Currently, 0.6% of the company's shares are sold short.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on PRQR shares. Evercore ISI reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of ProQR Therapeutics in a research report on Friday, July 11th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $8.00 price objective on shares of ProQR Therapeutics in a research report on Friday, June 27th. JMP Securities reiterated a "market outperform" rating and issued a $8.00 price objective on shares of ProQR Therapeutics in a research report on Friday, June 27th. Finally, Chardan Capital reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $4.00 price objective on shares of ProQR Therapeutics in a research report on Friday, August 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and seven have issued a Buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $8.00.

ProQR Therapeutics Trading Down 4.1%

NASDAQ:PRQR traded down $0.09 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $2.10. 134,353 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 414,485. The business's 50-day moving average price is $2.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $1.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $220.95 million, a P/E ratio of -4.57 and a beta of 0.36. ProQR Therapeutics has a 1 year low of $1.07 and a 1 year high of $4.62.

ProQR Therapeutics (NASDAQ:PRQR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.14) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.08) by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $4.33 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.01 million. ProQR Therapeutics had a negative net margin of 238.52% and a negative return on equity of 61.25%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that ProQR Therapeutics will post -0.31 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PRQR. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its stake in ProQR Therapeutics by 59.6% during the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 12,050 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 4,500 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new position in ProQR Therapeutics during the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Alpine Global Management LLC purchased a new position in ProQR Therapeutics during the fourth quarter valued at $39,000. Vontobel Holding Ltd. purchased a new position in ProQR Therapeutics during the first quarter valued at $48,000. Finally, OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in ProQR Therapeutics by 45.5% during the first quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 40,000 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 12,500 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 32.65% of the company's stock.

ProQR Therapeutics Company Profile

ProQR Therapeutics N.V., a biotechnology company, focuses on the discovery and development of novel therapeutic medicines. The company's products pipeline includes AX-0810 for cholestatic diseases targeting Na-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP); and AX-1412 for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) targeting Beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 1 (B4GALT1).