Benitec Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ:BNTC) Given Consensus Rating of “Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Benitec Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ:BNTC) have been given an average rating of “Buy” by the nine analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $24.43.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on BNTC shares. Baird R W raised shares of Benitec Biopharma to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Guggenheim reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $17.00 price target on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research note on Tuesday, December 3rd. Robert W. Baird started coverage on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research note on Friday, December 13th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $30.00 price target on the stock. Finally, HC Wainwright reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $28.00 price target on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research note on Friday, February 21st.

Benitec Biopharma Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ BNTC opened at $15.66 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $367.24 million, a P/E ratio of -10.37 and a beta of 0.92. Benitec Biopharma has a 1 year low of $4.75 and a 1 year high of $15.97. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $11.69 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.85.

Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 14th. The biotechnology company reported ($0.36) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.55) by $0.19. As a group, equities analysts predict that Benitec Biopharma will post -1.48 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Suvretta Capital Management, L purchased 27,502 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 23rd. The shares were purchased at an average price of $10.98 per share, with a total value of $301,971.96. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 7,981,725 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $87,639,340.50. This represents a 0.35 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Benitec Biopharma

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BNTC. Suvretta Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Benitec Biopharma by 422.0% during the 3rd quarter. Suvretta Capital Management LLC now owns 8,829,053 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $81,139,000 after buying an additional 7,137,763 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in Benitec Biopharma by 269.0% during the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 2,939,287 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $37,123,000 after buying an additional 2,142,643 shares during the period. Janus Henderson Group PLC increased its stake in Benitec Biopharma by 198.5% during the 4th quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 2,616,427 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $33,268,000 after buying an additional 1,739,904 shares during the period. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. grew its holdings in Benitec Biopharma by 134.4% during the 4th quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 1,972,524 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $24,913,000 after acquiring an additional 1,131,129 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Infinitum Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Benitec Biopharma during the 4th quarter worth $2,652,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 52.19% of the company’s stock.

Benitec Biopharma Company Profile

Benitec Biopharma Inc, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, focuses on the development of novel genetic medicines. The company develops DNA-directed RNA interference-based therapeutics for chronic and life-threatening human conditions. It is developing BB-301, an adeno-associated virus based gene therapy agent for treating oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.