Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AQST) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AQST - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 10,480,000 shares, a growth of 8.6% from the December 31st total of 9,650,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,550,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 6.8 days.

Aquestive Therapeutics Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ AQST traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $3.09. 1,275,227 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,408,409. The company's fifty day moving average is $3.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $4.22. Aquestive Therapeutics has a fifty-two week low of $2.24 and a fifty-two week high of $6.23. The stock has a market cap of $281.75 million, a PE ratio of -6.87 and a beta of 2.67.

Aquestive Therapeutics (NASDAQ:AQST - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The company reported ($0.13) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.12) by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $13.54 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $12.69 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted ($0.03) EPS. Research analysts forecast that Aquestive Therapeutics will post -0.46 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Aquestive Therapeutics

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AQST. nVerses Capital LLC bought a new stake in Aquestive Therapeutics in the third quarter valued at $28,000. New York State Common Retirement Fund boosted its stake in shares of Aquestive Therapeutics by 713.3% in the 4th quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 12,200 shares of the company's stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 10,700 shares during the last quarter. Harvey Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Aquestive Therapeutics during the third quarter worth approximately $88,000. Intech Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Aquestive Therapeutics in the 3rd quarter worth $90,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its stake in shares of Aquestive Therapeutics by 252.2% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 18,826 shares of the company's stock valued at $94,000 after acquiring an additional 13,481 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 32.45% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on AQST shares. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on Aquestive Therapeutics in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $17.00 price target on the stock. Leerink Partners lifted their price target on shares of Aquestive Therapeutics from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. HC Wainwright reissued a "buy" rating and set a $10.00 price objective on shares of Aquestive Therapeutics in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Finally, JMP Securities reaffirmed a "market outperform" rating and set a $9.00 target price on shares of Aquestive Therapeutics in a research report on Tuesday, October 8th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $11.00.

Aquestive Therapeutics Company Profile

Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc operates as a pharmaceutical company in the United States and internationally. The company markets Sympazan, an oral soluble film formulation of clobazam for the treatment of lennox-gastaut syndrome; Suboxone, a sublingual film formulation of buprenorphine and naloxone for the treatment of opioid dependence; Zuplenz, an oral soluble film formulation of ondansetron for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and post-operative recovery; and Azstarys, a once-daily product for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.