Kodiak Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:KOD) Short Interest Update

by · The Markets Daily

Kodiak Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:KODGet Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 6,287,793 shares, a growth of 34.5% from the December 15th total of 4,674,452 shares. Currently, 21.9% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,390,153 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.5 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,390,153 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.5 days. Currently, 21.9% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Kodiak Sciences Price Performance

Shares of KOD traded up $0.47 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $27.17. 706,826 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 991,539. The company has a market capitalization of $1.44 billion, a PE ratio of -6.59 and a beta of 2.67. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $24.65 and a 200-day simple moving average of $15.65. Kodiak Sciences has a one year low of $1.92 and a one year high of $31.18.

Kodiak Sciences (NASDAQ:KODGet Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported ($1.16) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($1.07) by ($0.09). Sell-side analysts expect that Kodiak Sciences will post -3.45 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently commented on KOD shares. Lifesci Capital initiated coverage on Kodiak Sciences in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. They set an “outperform” rating and a $40.00 target price on the stock. HC Wainwright lifted their price target on Kodiak Sciences from $24.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Kodiak Sciences in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $15.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Kodiak Sciences from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and raised their target price for the company from $15.00 to $24.00 in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Chardan Capital reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $14.00 target price on shares of Kodiak Sciences in a report on Monday, November 17th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Kodiak Sciences currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $26.57.

View Our Latest Analysis on KOD

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Bros. Advisors Lp Baker bought 2,608,696 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 18th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $23.00 per share, with a total value of $60,000,008.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 18,358,772 shares in the company, valued at approximately $422,251,756. This represents a 16.56% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 45.90% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kodiak Sciences

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its stake in Kodiak Sciences by 89.4% during the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 6,373 shares of the company’s stock valued at $104,000 after purchasing an additional 3,009 shares during the period. Diversified Trust Co. purchased a new position in shares of Kodiak Sciences during the fourth quarter valued at $219,000. Headlands Technologies LLC raised its position in Kodiak Sciences by 256.4% during the second quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 8,083 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 5,815 shares during the period. Fox Run Management L.L.C. purchased a new stake in Kodiak Sciences in the 3rd quarter worth about $204,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Kodiak Sciences during the 3rd quarter worth about $228,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.06% of the company’s stock.

Kodiak Sciences Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Kodiak Sciences, Inc is a clinical‐stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Palo Alto, California, that focuses on the discovery and development of novel therapies for retinal diseases. The company’s proprietary technology centers on antibody biopolymer conjugates (ABCs), which are designed to extend durability, enhance tissue penetration and improve the safety profile of existing therapeutic modalities. Kodiak’s research and development efforts target conditions such as wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME) and other serious ophthalmic disorders.

The lead product candidate in Kodiak’s pipeline is KSI-301, an anti-VEGF antibody biopolymer conjugate administered via intravitreal injection.

Featured Articles