Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC) Given Market Outperform Rating at JMP Securities

JMP Securities reissued their market outperform rating on shares of Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning,Benzinga reports. JMP Securities currently has a $20.00 price objective on the biotechnology company’s stock.

BNTC has been the topic of a number of other reports. Oppenheimer restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $29.00 price target (down from $35.00) on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. TD Cowen started coverage on shares of Benitec Biopharma in a research report on Monday, July 7th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and seven have issued a Buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Benitec Biopharma has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $24.80.

Benitec Biopharma Price Performance

NASDAQ BNTC opened at $14.09 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $369.86 million, a PE ratio of -9.58 and a beta of 0.43. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $12.65 and its 200-day moving average price is $13.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 14.80 and a current ratio of 14.80. Benitec Biopharma has a 52-week low of $8.49 and a 52-week high of $17.15.

Benitec Biopharma (NASDAQ:BNTC) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, September 25th. The biotechnology company reported ($0.42) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.24) by ($0.18). Sell-side analysts forecast that Benitec Biopharma will post -1.48 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Benitec Biopharma

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BNTC. Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in Benitec Biopharma by 54.2% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 38,200 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $482,000 after purchasing an additional 13,425 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Benitec Biopharma by 138.4% during the fourth quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 35,476 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $448,000 after purchasing an additional 20,597 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in Benitec Biopharma by 1,104.3% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 77,605 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $1,010,000 after buying an additional 71,161 shares during the last quarter. Informed Momentum Co LLC acquired a new position in Benitec Biopharma in the 1st quarter worth approximately $512,000. Finally, MYDA Advisors LLC raised its position in Benitec Biopharma by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. MYDA Advisors LLC now owns 52,000 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $677,000 after buying an additional 2,000 shares during the last quarter. 52.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.