Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASMB) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASMB - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 20,300 shares, a growth of 18.0% from the February 13th total of 17,200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 30,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.7 days. Approximately 0.6% of the company's shares are sold short.

Assembly Biosciences Stock Up 3.0 %

ASMB stock traded up $0.32 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $11.01. The company's stock had a trading volume of 25,952 shares, compared to its average volume of 24,450. The company has a market capitalization of $69.98 million, a PE ratio of -1.64 and a beta of 0.62. Assembly Biosciences has a 12 month low of $10.27 and a 12 month high of $19.93. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $12.91 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $15.13.

Assembly Biosciences (NASDAQ:ASMB - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, March 20th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($1.57) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($1.75) by $0.18. The company had revenue of $7.36 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.05 million. Assembly Biosciences had a negative net margin of 144.05% and a negative return on equity of 121.46%. Sell-side analysts expect that Assembly Biosciences will post -6.87 earnings per share for the current year.

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Insider Activity

In related news, Director Michael Houghton acquired 3,202 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 30th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $15.61 per share, with a total value of $49,983.22. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 3,202 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $49,983.22. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 5.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Assembly Biosciences

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Gilead Sciences Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Assembly Biosciences during the 4th quarter worth $34,865,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Assembly Biosciences by 44.3% during the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 94,711 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $1,495,000 after buying an additional 29,087 shares during the period. Peapod Lane Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Assembly Biosciences during the 4th quarter worth $994,000. B Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Assembly Biosciences during the 4th quarter worth $799,000. Finally, Monimus Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Assembly Biosciences during the 4th quarter worth $664,000. 19.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, HC Wainwright reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Assembly Biosciences in a research report on Friday, December 27th.

Assembly Biosciences Company Profile

Assembly Biosciences, Inc, a biotechnology company, develops therapeutic candidates for the treatment of viral diseases. It develops ABI-5366, a long-acting herpes simplex virus (HSV) helicase-primase inhibitor that is in Phase 1a/1b clinical trial to treat recurrent genital herpes; ABI-1179, which is in Phase 1a/1b clinical trial for the treatment of recurrent genital herpes; and ABI-6250, a small molecule orally bioavailable hepatitis delta virus entry inhibitor that is in Phase 1a clinical trial.