uniQure (NASDAQ:QURE) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

uniQure (NASDAQ:QURE - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,260,000 shares, an increase of 19.8% from the March 31st total of 4,390,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,380,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.8 days. Currently, 11.3% of the shares of the company are short sold.

uniQure Stock Down 1.5 %

Shares of QURE stock traded down $0.23 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $14.77. 1,010,082 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,785,345. uniQure has a 52-week low of $3.73 and a 52-week high of $19.18. The stock's fifty day moving average is $12.15 and its two-hundred day moving average is $11.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 6.51 and a quick ratio of 6.51. The stock has a market cap of $809.04 million, a P/E ratio of -2.98 and a beta of 0.10.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on uniQure from $35.00 to $30.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 28th. StockNews.com raised shares of uniQure to a "sell" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. Chardan Capital assumed coverage on shares of uniQure in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $38.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $24.00 target price on shares of uniQure in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, HC Wainwright reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $70.00 price target on shares of uniQure in a research note on Monday, April 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $38.80.

Insider Activity

In other uniQure news, CFO Christian Klemt sold 2,916 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.32, for a total value of $33,009.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 155,168 shares in the company, valued at $1,756,501.76. This represents a 1.84 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Matthew C. Kapusta sold 6,717 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.32, for a total value of $76,036.44. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 580,795 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,574,599.40. This represents a 1.14 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 90,830 shares of company stock valued at $961,401 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 4.74% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On uniQure

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in uniQure by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 508,602 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $2,509,000 after purchasing an additional 6,362 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. acquired a new position in shares of uniQure in the 3rd quarter valued at $7,360,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of uniQure in the 4th quarter valued at $88,000. Sanders Morris Harris LLC boosted its stake in shares of uniQure by 50.0% during the 4th quarter. Sanders Morris Harris LLC now owns 102,104 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $1,803,000 after acquiring an additional 34,034 shares in the last quarter. Finally, China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in uniQure by 9.6% during the fourth quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 11,062 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $195,000 after purchasing an additional 969 shares in the last quarter. 78.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

uniQure Company Profile

uniQure N.V. develops treatments for patients suffering from rare and other devastating diseases. It offers HEMGENIX that has completed Phase III HOPE-B pivotal trial for the treatment of hemophilia B. The company also develops AMT-130, a gene therapy that is in Phase I/II clinical study for the treatment of Huntington's disease.

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