uniQure (NASDAQ:QURE) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

uniQure (NASDAQ:QURE - Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 4,390,000 shares, an increase of 43.9% from the March 15th total of 3,050,000 shares. Approximately 9.5% of the company's stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,170,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.8 days.

uniQure Price Performance

NASDAQ:QURE remained flat at $14.39 during trading hours on Wednesday. 1,598,052 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,769,976. The stock has a market capitalization of $778.17 million, a P/E ratio of -2.90 and a beta of 0.42. uniQure has a twelve month low of $3.73 and a twelve month high of $19.18. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $11.92 and a 200 day moving average of $11.42. The company has a current ratio of 6.51, a quick ratio of 6.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

QURE has been the subject of a number of research reports. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $24.00 target price on shares of uniQure in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. StockNews.com upgraded uniQure to a "sell" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on uniQure from $35.00 to $30.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Chardan Capital started coverage on shares of uniQure in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. They set a "buy" rating and a $38.00 price target for the company. Finally, HC Wainwright reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $70.00 price objective on shares of uniQure in a report on Monday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $38.80.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Christian Klemt sold 2,916 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.32, for a total transaction of $33,009.12. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 155,168 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,756,501.76. This trade represents a 1.84 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Matthew C. Kapusta sold 6,717 shares of uniQure stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.32, for a total transaction of $76,036.44. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 580,795 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,574,599.40. This represents a 1.14 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 90,830 shares of company stock worth $961,401 in the last three months. Insiders own 4.74% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Twin Tree Management LP bought a new stake in uniQure during the fourth quarter valued at about $77,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of uniQure during the fourth quarter worth about $88,000. ADAR1 Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in uniQure during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $177,000. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in uniQure by 9.6% in the 4th quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 11,062 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $195,000 after purchasing an additional 969 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its stake in uniQure by 13.9% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 12,294 shares of the biotechnology company's stock worth $217,000 after purchasing an additional 1,503 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.83% of the company's stock.

uniQure Company Profile

uniQure N.V. develops treatments for patients suffering from rare and other devastating diseases. It offers HEMGENIX that has completed Phase III HOPE-B pivotal trial for the treatment of hemophilia B. The company also develops AMT-130, a gene therapy that is in Phase I/II clinical study for the treatment of Huntington's disease.