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

Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASMB) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during 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 short-interest ratio is presently 0.7 days. Currently, 0.6% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Michael Houghton acquired 3,202 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, December 30th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $15.61 per share, for a total transaction of $49,983.22. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,202 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $49,983.22. The trade was a ∞ increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 5.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Assembly Biosciences

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Gilead Sciences Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Assembly Biosciences during the fourth quarter worth $34,865,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Assembly Biosciences by 44.3% during the fourth quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 94,711 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $1,495,000 after purchasing an additional 29,087 shares during the period. Peapod Lane Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Assembly Biosciences during the fourth quarter worth $994,000. B Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Assembly Biosciences during the fourth quarter worth $799,000. Finally, Monimus Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Assembly Biosciences during the fourth quarter worth $664,000. Institutional investors own 19.92% of the company’s stock.

Assembly Biosciences Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:ASMB opened at $11.26 on Wednesday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $13.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is $15.24. Assembly Biosciences has a 1 year low of $10.27 and a 1 year high of $19.93.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

About Assembly Biosciences

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.