AnaptysBio, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANAB) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

AnaptysBio, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANAB) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,180,000 shares, an increase of 6.6% from the June 30th total of 4,860,000 shares. Approximately 21.4% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 350,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 14.8 days.

AnaptysBio Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of NASDAQ ANAB traded up $0.34 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $35.08. 60,552 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 327,373. The stock has a market cap of $958.39 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.66 and a beta of -0.25. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $27.13 and a 200 day moving average of $24.75. AnaptysBio has a 1 year low of $13.36 and a 1 year high of $38.85.

AnaptysBio (NASDAQ:ANAB) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 9th. The biotechnology company reported ($1.64) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($1.54) by ($0.10). AnaptysBio had a negative net margin of 711.17% and a negative return on equity of 161.40%. The firm had revenue of $7.18 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.55 million. On average, equities analysts forecast that AnaptysBio will post -6.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at AnaptysBio

In related news, CFO Dennis Mulroy sold 1,500 shares of AnaptysBio stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.72, for a total transaction of $35,580.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 964 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,866.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, Director Hollings Renton sold 1,950 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.16, for a total transaction of $45,162.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 1,950 shares in the company, valued at approximately $45,162. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Dennis Mulroy sold 1,500 shares of AnaptysBio stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.72, for a total value of $35,580.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 964 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $22,866.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 16,900 shares of company stock worth $484,824. 33.70% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC acquired a new position in shares of AnaptysBio during the first quarter valued at about $38,000. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of AnaptysBio by 350.4% during the fourth quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 3,072 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $66,000 after buying an additional 2,390 shares during the period. Quest Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AnaptysBio during the fourth quarter valued at $119,000. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of AnaptysBio in the 4th quarter valued at $126,000. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in AnaptysBio in the 1st quarter worth $222,000.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. SVB Leerink began coverage on shares of AnaptysBio in a research report on Tuesday, April 16th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $47.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of AnaptysBio from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and upped their price target for the stock from $29.00 to $69.00 in a report on Friday, July 19th. Wedbush reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $34.00 price objective on shares of AnaptysBio in a report on Friday, May 10th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of AnaptysBio in a research report on Thursday, April 11th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $56.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Leerink Partnrs reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of AnaptysBio in a report on Tuesday, April 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $51.89.

AnaptysBio Company Profile

AnaptysBio, Inc, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, focuses in delivering immunology therapeutics. Its products include Rosnilimab, an IgG1 antibody that targets PD-1+ T cells, resulting in their agonism or depletion, broadly impacting pathogenic drivers of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases; and ANB032, a non-depleting antibody that binds to the BTLA checkpoint receptor and inhibits activated T cell proliferation; ANB033, a novel anti-CD122 antagonist antibody that targets the shared common beta subunit of the receptors for IL-15 and IL-2; ANB101, a BDCA2 modulator antibody that specifically targets plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs); and Imsidolimab, an antibody that inhibits the interleukin-36 receptor, which is in the Phase 3 development for the treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis.