Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 3,840,000 shares, a growth of 11.0% from the August 15th total of 3,460,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 3,100,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.2 days. Currently, 7.6% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Emergent BioSolutions Price Performance

Shares of EBS traded down $0.05 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $6.83. 448,547 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,724,403. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. Emergent BioSolutions has a 12 month low of $1.42 and a 12 month high of $15.10. The stock has a market cap of $357.91 million, a PE ratio of -0.62 and a beta of 1.60. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $9.63 and its 200-day simple moving average is $6.13.

Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE:EBS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($2.32) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.97) by ($1.35). The business had revenue of $254.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $199.47 million. Emergent BioSolutions had a negative return on equity of 34.38% and a negative net margin of 53.26%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned ($1.06) earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Emergent BioSolutions will post -1.98 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Emergent BioSolutions

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Emergent BioSolutions by 84.1% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,873,984 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $6,898,000 after buying an additional 1,312,934 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC purchased a new position in Emergent BioSolutions in the fourth quarter worth about $58,000. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd bought a new position in shares of Emergent BioSolutions in the fourth quarter worth approximately $232,000. Oxford Asset Management LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Emergent BioSolutions during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $67,000. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Emergent BioSolutions by 20.1% in the first quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 193,991 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $491,000 after purchasing an additional 32,460 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.40% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently commented on EBS. Benchmark reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $8.00 price target on shares of Emergent BioSolutions in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Rodman & Renshaw reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $16.00 price target on shares of Emergent BioSolutions in a report on Friday, September 13th.

About Emergent BioSolutions

Emergent BioSolutions Inc, a life sciences company, provides preparedness and response solutions for accidental, deliberate, and naturally occurring public health threats in the United States. The company offers NARCAN Nasal Spray for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose; Vaxchora vaccine for the prevention of cholera; Vivotif vaccine for oral administration for the prevention of typhoid fever; Anthrasil for the treatment of inhalational anthrax; BioThrax, an anthrax vaccine; CYFENDUS for post-exposure prophylaxis of disease following suspected or confirmed exposure to Bacillus anthracis; and Raxibacumab injection for the treatment and prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax.