Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZVRA) Short Interest Up 166.3% in July

Key Points

• Short interest in Zevra Therapeutics surged by 166.3% in July, reaching 4.9 million shares, indicating strong bearish sentiment towards the stock.
• Several institutional investors, including GAMMA Investing LLC and Strs Ohio, significantly increased their stakes, resulting in institutional ownership of 35.03% in the company.
• Analysts have varied ratings on ZVRA, with a consensus rating of "Buy" and a target price set at $23.71, while Cantor Fitzgerald recently raised its price target to $29.00.

Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZVRA - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 4,900,000 shares, agrowthof166.3% from the June 30th total of 1,840,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 821,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.0 days. Approximately9.1% of the company's shares are short sold. Approximately9.1% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 821,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.0 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. BNP Paribas Financial Markets bought a new stake in Zevra Therapeutics during the fourth quarter worth approximately $53,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of Zevra Therapeutics by 20,564.1% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 8,059 shares of the company's stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 8,020 shares in the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC raised its holdings in shares of Zevra Therapeutics by 36.1% during the 4th quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 16,534 shares of the company's stock valued at $138,000 after purchasing an additional 4,384 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio bought a new position in shares of Zevra Therapeutics during the 1st quarter valued at $125,000. Finally, ProShare Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Zevra Therapeutics during the 4th quarter valued at $145,000. Institutional investors own 35.03% of the company's stock.

Zevra Therapeutics Stock Up 1.7%

ZVRA stock traded up $0.19 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $11.44. The stock had a trading volume of 635,671 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,182,283. The company has a market capitalization of $625.54 million, a P/E ratio of -6.02 and a beta of 1.87. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $10.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $8.60. The company has a current ratio of 3.02, a quick ratio of 2.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46. Zevra Therapeutics has a 1-year low of $6.19 and a 1-year high of $13.16.

Zevra Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ZVRA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 13th. The company reported ($0.06) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.21) by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $20.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.96 million. Zevra Therapeutics had a negative net margin of 226.78% and a negative return on equity of 201.05%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned ($0.40) earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Zevra Therapeutics will post -1.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently commented on ZVRA. Cantor Fitzgerald upped their price target on shares of Zevra Therapeutics from $25.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. Citigroup reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Zevra Therapeutics in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Zevra Therapeutics from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Sunday, July 20th. Finally, HC Wainwright initiated coverage on shares of Zevra Therapeutics in a research report on Wednesday, July 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating and a $26.00 price objective for the company. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $23.71.

Zevra Therapeutics Company Profile

Zevra Therapeutics, Inc discovers and develops various proprietary prodrugs to treat serious medical conditions in the United States. The company develops its products through Ligand Activated Therapy platform. Its lead product candidate is KP1077, consisting of KP1077IH, which is under Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of idiopathic hypersomnia, and KP1077N, which is under Phase ½ clinical trial to treat narcolepsy.