Weiss Ratings Reiterates "Sell (D-)" Rating for Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC)

Key Points

• Weiss Ratings has reiterated a "Sell (D-)" rating for Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC), reflecting concerns about the company's performance and outlook.
• Benitec Biopharma's stock is trading at $14.10, up 2.3%, but has a 1-year range between $9.10 and $17.15, indicating significant volatility.
• The company reported a loss of ($0.42) earnings per share, missing the consensus estimate, which raises doubts about its financial stability going forward.

Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC - Get Free Report)'s stock had its "sell (d-)" rating reiterated by Weiss Ratings in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday,Weiss Ratings reports.

Several other brokerages have also recently weighed in on BNTC. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $29.00 target price (down previously from $35.00) on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Benitec Biopharma from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Friday, September 26th. TD Cowen assumed coverage on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a report on Monday, July 7th. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Benitec Biopharma from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a report on Monday. Finally, JMP Securities restated a "market outperform" rating and set a $20.00 price objective on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $24.80.

Benitec Biopharma Trading Up 2.3%

Benitec Biopharma stock traded up $0.32 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $14.10. The company had a trading volume of 502,092 shares, compared to its average volume of 67,140. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $13.10 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $13.39. Benitec Biopharma has a 1 year low of $9.10 and a 1 year high of $17.15. The firm has a market cap of $370.13 million, a P/E ratio of -9.59 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 54.67 and a current ratio of 54.67.

Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, September 25th. The biotechnology company reported ($0.42) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.24) by ($0.18). On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Benitec Biopharma will post -1.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Benitec Biopharma

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BNTC. MYDA Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Benitec Biopharma by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. MYDA Advisors LLC now owns 52,000 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $677,000 after buying an additional 2,000 shares during the period. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey bought a new position in shares of Benitec Biopharma in the second quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its stake in Benitec Biopharma by 2,255.8% in the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 6,879 shares of the biotechnology company's stock valued at $80,000 after purchasing an additional 6,587 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. purchased a new position in shares of Benitec Biopharma in the second quarter valued at $80,000. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. purchased a new position in Benitec Biopharma during the 2nd quarter valued at about $93,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.19% of the company's stock.

Benitec Biopharma Company Profile

Benitec Biopharma Inc, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, focuses on the development of novel genetic medicines. The company develops DNA-directed RNA interference-based therapeutics for chronic and life-threatening human conditions. It is developing BB-301, an adeno-associated virus based gene therapy agent for treating oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.