Aura Biosciences (NASDAQ:AURA) Announces Quarterly Earnings Results, Misses Estimates By $0.10 EPS

Aura Biosciences (NASDAQ:AURA) released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported ($0.48) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.38) by ($0.10), FiscalAI reports.

Aura Biosciences Price Performance

AURA opened at $7.75 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $801.66 million, a PE ratio of -4.43 and a beta of 0.40. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $6.98 and its 200 day moving average price is $6.72. Aura Biosciences has a 12-month low of $4.73 and a 12-month high of $9.53.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on AURA. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Aura Biosciences from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, August 8th. Leerink Partners set a $17.00 price target on shares of Aura Biosciences in a report on Tuesday, May 12th. HC Wainwright dropped their price target on shares of Aura Biosciences from $24.00 to $18.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Aura Biosciences from a “sell (e+)” rating to a “sell (d-)” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Aura Biosciences has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $17.50.

Trending Headlines about Aura Biosciences

Here are the key news stories impacting Aura Biosciences this week:

• Positive Sentiment: HC Wainwright raised its earnings forecasts across the outlook period. The firm reduced its projected losses for fiscal 2026 through 2029 and now expects positive EPS of $0.56 in 2030, compared with a prior estimate of a $0.76 loss. HC Wainwright maintained a “Buy” rating, although it lowered its price target to $18 from $24. HC Wainwright forecast for Aura Biosciences
• Positive Sentiment: Aura’s lead therapy remains the main potential catalyst. The company is developing bel-sar for early choroidal melanoma. Its Phase 3 CoMpass trial is fully enrolled, with topline data expected in the second half of 2027; prior Phase 2 results showed 80% tumor control and a favorable safety profile. Aura also raised $299 million, which is expected to fund operations into 2029 and reduce near-term financing risk. Aura Biosciences ocular oncology update
• Neutral Sentiment: Management is refocusing the company on ocular oncology. Aura replaced members of its executive team and eliminated approximately 20% of its workforce. The changes could improve cost discipline and operational focus, but they also highlight ongoing efforts to conserve cash while the company advances its clinical program. Aura workforce reduction and leadership changes
• Negative Sentiment: Aura reported a larger-than-expected quarterly loss. EPS was negative $0.48 versus the consensus estimate of negative $0.38, underscoring that the company remains unprofitable and dependent on clinical and regulatory progress. Aura Biosciences second-quarter results
• Negative Sentiment: HC Wainwright’s price-target reduction limits the immediate bullish impact. While the firm retained its Buy rating and still sees substantial potential upside, the cut from $24 to $18 reflects a more cautious valuation view.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Aura Biosciences news, insider Anthony S. Gibney sold 12,824 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.42, for a total transaction of $82,330.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 265,354 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,703,572.68. This trade represents a 4.61% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. 1.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Aura Biosciences

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd acquired a new stake in Aura Biosciences during the first quarter valued at approximately $137,000. Invesco Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Aura Biosciences during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $76,000. Nantahala Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Aura Biosciences by 67.1% during the second quarter. Nantahala Capital Management LLC now owns 2,117,697 shares of the company’s stock worth $13,257,000 after purchasing an additional 850,000 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in Aura Biosciences by 31.1% in the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 84,558 shares of the company’s stock worth $529,000 after purchasing an additional 20,065 shares during the period. Finally, Bridgeway Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Aura Biosciences during the second quarter valued at $102,000. 96.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Aura Biosciences

Aura Biosciences is a clinical‐stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel virus‐like particle (VLP) therapies for the treatment of cancer. By combining proprietary VLP technology with photoactivatable dyes, Aura aims to deliver highly selective photodynamic therapies that target and destroy tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. The company’s platform is designed to address solid tumors in both ophthalmic and non‐ophthalmic settings, leveraging precision activation via near‐infrared light to induce localized tumor cell apoptosis and stimulate anti‐tumor immune responses.

The lead product candidate, AU-011, is being evaluated in patients with choroidal melanoma, a rare but potentially sight-threatening eye cancer.