Traders Purchase High Volume of Put Options on Ocular Therapeutix (NASDAQ:OCUL)

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. (NASDAQ:OCUL) was the target of unusually large options trading on Friday. Stock investors purchased 11,873 put options on the company. This is an increase of 287% compared to the average daily volume of 3,069 put options.

Ocular Therapeutix Stock Down 0.1%

NASDAQ OCUL opened at $11.27 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.40 billion, a P/E ratio of -7.83 and a beta of 0.93. Ocular Therapeutix has a 52 week low of $5.78 and a 52 week high of $16.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 7.78 and a current ratio of 7.85. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $12.32 and a 200-day moving average of $12.00.

Ocular Therapeutix (NASDAQ:OCUL) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.37) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.39) by $0.02. The business had revenue of $14.54 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $14.57 million. Ocular Therapeutix had a negative return on equity of 86.33% and a negative net margin of 447.57%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Ocular Therapeutix will post -0.98 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Zacks Research upgraded Ocular Therapeutix from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Ocular Therapeutix from $14.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $20.00 target price on shares of Ocular Therapeutix in a research report on Monday, December 8th. HC Wainwright lifted their price target on shares of Ocular Therapeutix from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Ocular Therapeutix in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Ocular Therapeutix presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $22.56.

Key Stories Impacting Ocular Therapeutix

Here are the key news stories impacting Ocular Therapeutix this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Multiple reports say Sanofi is eyeing a bid for Ocular Therapeutix, fueling takeover speculation and upward pressure on the stock. BRIEF—Sanofi reportedly eyeing bid for Ocular Therapeutix
• Positive Sentiment: Additional outlets link Sanofi to a potential takeover approach, reinforcing the market narrative that a strategic buyer is interested. Sanofi linked to takeover bid for Ocular Therapeutix
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage highlighting that takeover speculation “sent Ocular’s stock soaring” amplified momentum and trading volume as event-driven traders reacted. Speculation of Sanofi Takeover Sends Ocular’s Stock Soaring
• Positive Sentiment: Reports indicate Sanofi may ready a higher bid after an initial rejection, keeping the chance of an improved takeover offer on the table. Sanofi readies higher bid for Ocular Therapeutix after initial rejection – report Sanofi weighs improved bid for Ocular Therapeutix following board rejection
• Positive Sentiment: Options activity also showed increased call buying the prior day, consistent with some traders positioning for upside around the takeover chatter (smaller volume lift). (No external link)
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst/market note reviewing OCUL’s valuation and recent mixed returns — useful context for investors assessing whether takeover premium or fundamentals justify current levels. Ocular Therapeutix (OCUL) Valuation Check After Mixed Recent Returns And AXPAXLI Expectations
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary noted a prior 6.1% jump and higher volume but warned that momentum may not be sustained absent a concrete deal or stronger fundamentals. Strength Seen in Ocular Therapeutix (OCUL)
• Negative Sentiment: Large surge in put buying (11,873 puts; ~287% above average) indicates some investors are hedging or betting on a near-term decline — this elevated bearish/options hedging activity could pressure the stock if sustained. (No external link)

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ocular Therapeutix

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its holdings in Ocular Therapeutix by 5.8% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 93,619 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $686,000 after buying an additional 5,156 shares during the period. Caxton Associates LLP bought a new stake in shares of Ocular Therapeutix during the 1st quarter valued at $248,000. Rhumbline Advisers raised its position in shares of Ocular Therapeutix by 4.5% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 223,115 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $1,635,000 after acquiring an additional 9,514 shares during the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp boosted its position in shares of Ocular Therapeutix by 100.0% in the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 100,000 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $928,000 after purchasing an additional 50,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont boosted its position in shares of Ocular Therapeutix by 16.1% in the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 7,200 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $67,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.21% of the company’s stock.

About Ocular Therapeutix

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts, the company focuses on sustained-release drug delivery platforms designed to address key unmet needs in ophthalmology. Its proprietary hydrogel-based inserts and sealants aim to improve patient compliance and outcomes by providing controlled release of active pharmaceutical ingredients directly to ocular tissues.

The company’s flagship product, DEXTENZA®, is a preservative-free, sustained-release dexamethasone intracanalicular insert approved by the U.S.