Short Interest in Oculis Holding AG (NASDAQ:OCS) Expands By 63.9%

Oculis Holding AG (NASDAQ:OCS) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 623,971 shares, an increase of 63.9% from the February 12th total of 380,803 shares. Currently, 1.1% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 277,382 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.2 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 277,382 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.2 days. Currently, 1.1% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Lifesci Capital assumed coverage on Oculis in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. They set an “outperform” rating and a $55.00 target price on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Oculis in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Bank of America dropped their price target on Oculis from $30.00 to $29.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Needham & Company LLC lifted their price objective on shares of Oculis from $36.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. Finally, HC Wainwright boosted their target price on shares of Oculis from $42.00 to $44.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 4th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $43.86.

Institutional Trading of Oculis

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of OCS. Gildi lifeyrissjodur acquired a new stake in Oculis during the 4th quarter valued at $50,250,000. Aberdeen Group plc boosted its stake in Oculis by 39.4% in the fourth quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 1,746,946 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,887,000 after purchasing an additional 493,827 shares in the last quarter. SR One Capital Management LP grew its holdings in shares of Oculis by 98.8% during the fourth quarter. SR One Capital Management LP now owns 641,022 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,801,000 after purchasing an additional 318,522 shares during the last quarter. Perceptive Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Oculis during the fourth quarter worth $9,862,000. Finally, Alyeska Investment Group L.P. increased its stake in shares of Oculis by 152.3% in the fourth quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 331,332 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,617,000 after buying an additional 200,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 22.30% of the company’s stock.

Oculis Price Performance

Shares of OCS stock traded down $1.66 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $25.43. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 585,449 shares, compared to its average volume of 353,309. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 5.96 and a current ratio of 5.96. The company has a market cap of $1.47 billion, a P/E ratio of -11.20 and a beta of 0.29. Oculis has a 1-year low of $14.00 and a 1-year high of $30.68. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $26.77 and its two-hundred day moving average is $21.82.

Oculis (NASDAQ:OCS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 3rd. The company reported ($0.51) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.43) by ($0.08). The company had revenue of $0.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $0.14 million. Oculis had a negative net margin of 8,173.41% and a negative return on equity of 62.12%. On average, research analysts predict that Oculis will post -2.09 earnings per share for the current year.

About Oculis

Oculis SA (NASDAQ: OCS) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel ophthalmic therapies designed primarily to treat retinal and neuro-ophthalmic diseases. Leveraging its proprietary technology platforms, Oculis aims to deliver therapeutic agents to the back of the eye through topical or nasal administration, potentially offering an alternative to current intravitreal injections. The company’s pipeline includes OCS-01, a topical dexamethasone formulation targeting diabetic macular edema; OCS-05, a neuroprotective candidate for acute optic neuritis and idiopathic intracranial hypertension; and OC-02, a nasal spray formulation of varenicline for dry eye disease.

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Oculis operates research and development facilities across Europe and in the United States, with a presence in Cambridge, Massachusetts.