Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV Makes New Investment in Arbutus Biopharma Co. (NASDAQ:ABUS)

Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV bought a new position in shares of Arbutus Biopharma Co. (NASDAQ:ABUS) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 20,500 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock, valued at approximately $67,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of ABUS. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Arbutus Biopharma during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Xponance Inc. acquired a new stake in Arbutus Biopharma during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Arbutus Biopharma during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Cibc World Markets Corp acquired a new stake in Arbutus Biopharma during the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC acquired a new stake in Arbutus Biopharma during the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. 43.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on the stock. HC Wainwright restated a “buy” rating and set a $5.00 target price on shares of Arbutus Biopharma in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Chardan Capital reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $5.00 price target on shares of Arbutus Biopharma in a research note on Friday, March 28th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Arbutus Biopharma from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, March 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $5.50.

Arbutus Biopharma Stock Down 1.3%

Shares of ABUS opened at $3.08 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $589.90 million, a P/E ratio of -7.16 and a beta of 1.50. Arbutus Biopharma Co. has a twelve month low of $2.71 and a twelve month high of $4.73. The company has a 50 day moving average of $3.28 and a 200-day moving average of $3.37.

Arbutus Biopharma (NASDAQ:ABUS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 14th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.13) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.09) by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $1.76 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.54 million. Arbutus Biopharma had a negative return on equity of 68.18% and a negative net margin of 1,137.65%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Arbutus Biopharma Co. will post -0.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Arbutus Biopharma Profile

Arbutus Biopharma Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company, develops novel therapeutics for chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the United States. Its HBV product pipeline consists of imdusiran (AB-729), a proprietary subcutaneously-delivered RNAi therapeutic product candidate that suppresses all HBV antigens, including HBsAg expression.