Aura Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:AURA) Short Interest Down 22.0% in February

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. Currently, 3.8% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 208,040 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 10.8 days. Based on an average daily volume of 208,040 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 10.8 days. Currently, 3.8% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Aura Biosciences Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of Aura Biosciences stock opened at $5.94 on Monday. Aura Biosciences has a twelve month low of $4.34 and a twelve month high of $7.73. The company’s 50 day moving average is $5.54 and its 200 day moving average is $5.85. The company has a market cap of $377.19 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.06 and a beta of 0.45.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Janet Jill Hopkins sold 20,401 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.06, for a total value of $103,229.06. Following the transaction, the insider owned 232,284 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,175,357.04. This represents a 8.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Amy Elazzouzi sold 8,549 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.06, for a total transaction of $43,257.94. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 75,532 shares in the company, valued at approximately $382,191.92. The trade was a 10.17% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders sold 123,076 shares of company stock valued at $618,783. 6.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Aura Biosciences

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of AURA. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in Aura Biosciences by 49.3% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 6,372 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 2,104 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC bought a new position in Aura Biosciences in the fourth quarter worth approximately $59,000. Water Island Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Aura Biosciences during the 3rd quarter worth $64,000. 49 Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Aura Biosciences during the 3rd quarter worth $66,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Aura Biosciences during the 2nd quarter valued at $76,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.75% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AURA has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Evercore assumed coverage on Aura Biosciences in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. They issued an “outperform” rating for the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Aura Biosciences in a report on Monday, December 29th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $20.50.

Aura Biosciences Company Profile

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.