Aura Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:AURA) Short Interest Update

Aura Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:AURA) was the target of a large drop in short interest in February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 2,249,277 shares, a drop of 22.0% from the February 12th total of 2,885,504 shares. Approximately 3.8% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 208,040 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 10.8 days. Based on an average trading volume of 208,040 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 10.8 days. Approximately 3.8% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Insider Buying and Selling at Aura Biosciences

In related news, insider Janet Jill Hopkins sold 20,401 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $5.06, for a total transaction of $103,229.06. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 232,284 shares in the company, valued at $1,175,357.04. This represents a 8.07% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, SVP Amy Elazzouzi sold 8,549 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.06, for a total value of $43,257.94. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 75,532 shares in the company, valued at approximately $382,191.92. The trade was a 10.17% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders have sold 123,076 shares of company stock worth $618,783. 6.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Aura Biosciences

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in Aura Biosciences by 49.3% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 6,372 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 2,104 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Aura Biosciences in the 4th quarter valued at about $59,000. Water Island Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Aura Biosciences in the 3rd quarter valued at about $64,000. 49 Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Aura Biosciences in the third quarter worth about $66,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Aura Biosciences in the second quarter worth about $76,000. 96.75% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Aura Biosciences in a report on Monday, December 29th. Evercore began coverage on shares of Aura Biosciences in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. They issued an “outperform” rating on the stock. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $20.50.

Aura Biosciences Trading Down 0.2%

Shares of NASDAQ AURA opened at $5.94 on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $5.54 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $5.85. The stock has a market cap of $377.19 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.06 and a beta of 0.45. Aura Biosciences has a 12 month low of $4.34 and a 12 month high of $7.73.

About Aura Biosciences

Aura Biosciences is a clinical‐stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel virus‐like particle (VLP) therapies for the treatment of cancer. By combining proprietary VLP technology with photoactivatable dyes, Aura aims to deliver highly selective photodynamic therapies that target and destroy tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. The company’s platform is designed to address solid tumors in both ophthalmic and non‐ophthalmic settings, leveraging precision activation via near‐infrared light to induce localized tumor cell apoptosis and stimulate anti‐tumor immune responses.

The lead product candidate, AU-011, is being evaluated in patients with choroidal melanoma, a rare but potentially sight-threatening eye cancer.