Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AQST) Short Interest Up 76.7% in April

Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AQST) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,010,000 shares, an increase of 76.7% from the March 31st total of 2,270,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,450,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.6 days.

Aquestive Therapeutics Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AQST traded up $0.14 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $4.07. 2,986,647 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,312,568. Aquestive Therapeutics has a 12 month low of $1.19 and a 12 month high of $6.23. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $4.17 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $2.81.

Aquestive Therapeutics (NASDAQ:AQST) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 5th. The company reported ($0.12) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.08) by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $13.21 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $11.79 million. Research analysts predict that Aquestive Therapeutics will post -0.36 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently weighed in on AQST. Piper Sandler began coverage on Aquestive Therapeutics in a report on Thursday, April 11th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $10.00 target price on the stock. HC Wainwright reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $9.00 target price on shares of Aquestive Therapeutics in a research report on Friday, April 5th. Raymond James initiated coverage on Aquestive Therapeutics in a research report on Thursday, March 28th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $7.00 price objective for the company. Finally, JMP Securities increased their target price on Aquestive Therapeutics from $8.00 to $10.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, March 15th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Aquestive Therapeutics currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $8.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at Aquestive Therapeutics

In related news, insider Alexander Mark Schobel sold 50,000 shares of Aquestive Therapeutics stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.00, for a total value of $300,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 984,476 shares in the company, valued at $5,906,856. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 8.39% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Armistice Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Aquestive Therapeutics by 314.5% in the 3rd quarter. Armistice Capital LLC now owns 4,800,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,344,000 after buying an additional 3,642,000 shares during the last quarter. Essex Investment Management Co. LLC bought a new stake in shares of Aquestive Therapeutics in the fourth quarter worth about $1,709,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Aquestive Therapeutics by 238.8% in the third quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 550,484 shares of the company’s stock worth $841,000 after purchasing an additional 388,017 shares during the last quarter. Legato Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Aquestive Therapeutics in the fourth quarter worth about $688,000. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. increased its stake in Aquestive Therapeutics by 14.2% during the third quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 247,828 shares of the company’s stock worth $379,000 after acquiring an additional 30,898 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 32.45% of the company’s stock.

Aquestive Therapeutics Company Profile

Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc operates as a pharmaceutical company in the United States and internationally. The company markets Sympazan, an oral soluble film formulation of clobazam for the treatment of lennox-gastaut syndrome; Suboxone, a sublingual film formulation of buprenorphine and naloxone for the treatment of opioid dependence; Zuplenz, an oral soluble film formulation of ondansetron for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and post-operative recovery; and Azstarys, a once-daily product for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.