Precision BioSciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTIL) Short Interest Update

Precision BioSciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTIL) saw a significant increase in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,323,402 shares, an increase of 19.3% from the December 31st total of 1,109,761 shares. Currently, 10.4% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 253,385 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 5.2 days. Based on an average trading volume of 253,385 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 5.2 days. Currently, 10.4% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Precision BioSciences in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $60.00.

Precision BioSciences Price Performance

Shares of DTIL stock traded down $0.10 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $3.88. 220,456 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 203,951. Precision BioSciences has a 1 year low of $3.72 and a 1 year high of $8.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 3.45 and a current ratio of 3.45. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $4.41 and its 200 day moving average is $5.09.

Precision BioSciences (NASDAQ:DTIL) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported ($1.84) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.31) by ($1.53). The business had revenue of $0.01 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.40 million. Precision BioSciences had a negative net margin of 11,977.36% and a negative return on equity of 233.77%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned ($2.25) EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Precision BioSciences will post -1.23 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Precision BioSciences

In related news, insider J. Jefferson Smith sold 10,200 shares of Precision BioSciences stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.03, for a total transaction of $41,106.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 110,184 shares in the company, valued at approximately $444,041.52. This trade represents a 8.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO John Alexander Kelly sold 15,213 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.03, for a total value of $61,308.39. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 106,448 shares in the company, valued at approximately $428,985.44. This represents a 12.50% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders acquired 7,081 shares of company stock valued at $33,714 and sold 60,212 shares valued at $247,526. 4.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Precision BioSciences

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of DTIL. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC purchased a new stake in Precision BioSciences in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $72,000. Virtu Financial LLC bought a new stake in Precision BioSciences during the third quarter valued at $84,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP purchased a new position in Precision BioSciences during the third quarter worth about $98,000. Velan Capital Investment Management LP bought a new position in Precision BioSciences in the 3rd quarter worth about $110,000. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Precision BioSciences during the 3rd quarter valued at about $122,000. 37.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Precision BioSciences

Precision BioSciences is a clinical‐stage genome editing company that leverages its proprietary ARCUS platform to develop targeted gene therapies. ARCUS, an engineered nuclease derived from a naturally occurring enzyme, enables precise DNA modifications for both in vivo and ex vivo applications. The company’s pipeline spans genetic diseases—including rare monogenic disorders—and immuno‐oncology, where it is advancing allogeneic cell therapy candidates designed to address hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.

Founded in 2006 as a spin‐out from research at the University of North Carolina, Precision BioSciences is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with additional research and manufacturing capabilities located in the Research Triangle Park area.