Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:VRCA) Short Interest Update

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:VRCA) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 292,263 shares, a decrease of 23.2% from the December 15th total of 380,561 shares. Currently, 4.0% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 213,893 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.4 days. Based on an average daily volume of 213,893 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.4 days. Currently, 4.0% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Brookline Capital Management raised Verrica Pharmaceuticals from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $17.00 target price on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Loop Capital set a $17.00 price target on shares of Verrica Pharmaceuticals in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Zacks Research raised shares of Verrica Pharmaceuticals from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Verrica Pharmaceuticals in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Verrica Pharmaceuticals from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Verrica Pharmaceuticals currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $17.00.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Jayson Rieger bought 94,311 shares of Verrica Pharmaceuticals stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were bought at an average price of $4.24 per share, for a total transaction of $399,878.64. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 182,593 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $774,194.32. This trade represents a 106.83% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Paul B. Manning bought 2,750,762 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $4.24 per share, for a total transaction of $11,663,230.88. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 3,348,372 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $14,197,097.28. The trade was a 460.29% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders have bought 4,236,346 shares of company stock worth $17,962,107. Company insiders own 54.00% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Verrica Pharmaceuticals in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $52,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd purchased a new position in Verrica Pharmaceuticals during the second quarter valued at $28,000. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Verrica Pharmaceuticals by 306.7% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 58,711 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 44,275 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Verrica Pharmaceuticals by 64.8% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 74,388 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 29,256 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Verrica Pharmaceuticals in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $66,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 42.45% of the company’s stock.

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Trading Down 4.6%

Verrica Pharmaceuticals stock opened at $7.26 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $116.09 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.13 and a beta of 1.45. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $7.14 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $6.00. Verrica Pharmaceuticals has a 12 month low of $3.28 and a 12 month high of $9.82.

Verrica Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRCA) last announced its earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The company reported $0.13 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($1.14) by $1.27. The company had revenue of $14.34 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $8.34 million. On average, equities research analysts predict that Verrica Pharmaceuticals will post -1.46 EPS for the current year.

About Verrica Pharmaceuticals

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc is a clinical‐stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of topical therapies for dermatological conditions. Its lead investigational product, VP-102, is a standardized formulation of cantharidin in a pre-measured applicator designed to treat molluscum contagiosum and common warts. Verrica’s approach emphasizes consistency of dosing and patient convenience, aiming to improve upon off‐label use of existing treatments.

Beyond VP-102, Verrica is advancing VP-103, a next‐generation topical candidate intended to optimize tolerability while maintaining efficacy against viral skin lesions.