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

18 Jan 2026, 21:36 by Tristan Rich · The Markets Daily

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

Insider Activity at Verrica Pharmaceuticals

In other Verrica Pharmaceuticals news, CEO Jayson Rieger purchased 94,311 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $4.24 per share, with a total value of $399,878.64. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 182,593 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $774,194.32. This represents a 106.83% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Paul B. Manning acquired 2,750,762 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $4.24 per share, with a total value of $11,663,230.88. Following the transaction, the director owned 3,348,372 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,197,097.28. The trade was a 460.29% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders have bought 4,236,346 shares of company stock valued at $17,962,107. Corporate insiders own 54.00% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Verrica Pharmaceuticals

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of VRCA. Armistice Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Verrica Pharmaceuticals by 3.7% in the second quarter. Armistice Capital LLC now owns 8,881,344 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,708,000 after acquiring an additional 313,944 shares in the last quarter. Sovran Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Verrica Pharmaceuticals by 91.3% in the 2nd quarter. Sovran Advisors LLC now owns 750,391 shares of the company’s stock worth $398,000 after purchasing an additional 358,228 shares during the period. Boothbay Fund Management LLC purchased a new position in Verrica Pharmaceuticals during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,210,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new position in Verrica Pharmaceuticals during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $99,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in Verrica Pharmaceuticals by 347.5% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 143,818 shares of the company’s stock valued at $101,000 after purchasing an additional 111,678 shares during the period. 42.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Loop Capital set a $17.00 target price on shares of Verrica Pharmaceuticals in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Verrica Pharmaceuticals in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Brookline Capital Management raised Verrica Pharmaceuticals from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $17.00 price objective for the company in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Verrica Pharmaceuticals from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Verrica Pharmaceuticals from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. One investment 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 given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $17.00.

View Our Latest Research Report on Verrica Pharmaceuticals

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Stock Down 4.6%

VRCA traded down $0.35 during trading on Friday, reaching $7.26. The stock had a trading volume of 392,183 shares, compared to its average volume of 159,080. The firm has a market capitalization of $116.09 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.13 and a beta of 1.45. Verrica Pharmaceuticals has a 1-year low of $3.28 and a 1-year high of $9.82. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $7.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $6.00.

Verrica Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRCA – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The company reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($1.14) by $1.27. The firm had revenue of $14.34 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.34 million. On average, research analysts forecast that Verrica Pharmaceuticals will post -1.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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.