Short Interest in Septerna, Inc. (NASDAQ:SEPN) Increases By 36.0%

Septerna, Inc. (NASDAQ:SEPN) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,941,013 shares, a growth of 36.0% from the December 31st total of 1,427,098 shares. Approximately 4.5% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 319,319 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 6.1 days. Based on an average daily volume of 319,319 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 6.1 days. Approximately 4.5% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Septerna news, SVP Daniel D. Long sold 3,501 shares of Septerna stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.06, for a total transaction of $63,228.06. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 92,911 shares in the company, valued at $1,677,972.66. The trade was a 3.63% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 4.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Septerna

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Russell Investments Group Ltd. acquired a new position in Septerna during the 3rd quarter worth $36,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Septerna during the fourth quarter valued at $61,000. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in shares of Septerna by 55.8% during the third quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 3,620 shares of the company’s stock valued at $68,000 after purchasing an additional 1,296 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its holdings in Septerna by 88.0% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 4,155 shares of the company’s stock worth $78,000 after purchasing an additional 1,945 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in Septerna by 15.0% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 10,101 shares of the company’s stock valued at $107,000 after buying an additional 1,315 shares in the last quarter.

Septerna Stock Performance

Shares of SEPN traded down $0.46 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $23.34. 282,418 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 275,700. Septerna has a 1-year low of $4.17 and a 1-year high of $30.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.04 billion, a PE ratio of -15.46 and a beta of 3.85. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $26.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $20.26.

Septerna (NASDAQ:SEPN) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The company reported ($0.09) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.19 by ($0.28). Septerna had a negative return on equity of 17.98% and a negative net margin of 266.77%.The firm had revenue of $21.50 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.50 million. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Septerna will post -7.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on SEPN shares. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Septerna from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Septerna from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $18.00 to $28.00 in a report on Friday, November 14th. HC Wainwright upped their target price on shares of Septerna from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Jones Trading started coverage on Septerna in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $43.00 price target for the company. Finally, Raymond James Financial began coverage on Septerna in a report on Friday, December 19th. They issued a “strong-buy” rating and a $38.00 price objective for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Septerna presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $33.83.

Septerna Company Profile

We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering a new era of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) oral small molecule drug discovery powered by our proprietary Native Complex Platform™. Our industrial-scale platform aims to unlock the full potential of GPCR therapies and has led to the discovery and development of our deep pipeline of product candidates focused initially on treating patients in three therapeutic areas: endocrinology, immunology and inflammation, and metabolic diseases. GPCRs are the largest and most diverse family of cell membrane receptors and regulate physiological processes in nearly every organ system of the human body.