Short Interest in Kezar Life Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:KZR) Increases By 80.7%

Kezar Life Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:KZR) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 85,300 shares, a growth of 80.7% from the December 15th total of 47,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 71,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.2 days. Approximately 1.4% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Kezar Life Sciences Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ KZR opened at $6.34 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $46.28 million, a PE ratio of -0.48 and a beta of 0.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 7.65 and a current ratio of 7.65. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $6.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $6.72. Kezar Life Sciences has a 1 year low of $5.20 and a 1 year high of $11.35.

Kezar Life Sciences (NASDAQ:KZR) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 12th. The company reported ($2.78) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($3.03) by $0.25. On average, research analysts predict that Kezar Life Sciences will post -4.39 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have commented on KZR. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Kezar Life Sciences from $11.00 to $9.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 19th. William Blair reissued a “market perform” rating on shares of Kezar Life Sciences in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. Finally, HC Wainwright reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Kezar Life Sciences in a report on Monday, December 2nd.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in KZR. Mackenzie Financial Corp acquired a new stake in Kezar Life Sciences in the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. XTX Topco Ltd lifted its holdings in Kezar Life Sciences by 256.1% during the third quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 52,148 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 37,504 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Kezar Life Sciences in the second quarter valued at about $63,000. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Kezar Life Sciences by 15.0% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 626,912 shares of the company’s stock worth $485,000 after purchasing an additional 81,678 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Stonepine Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Kezar Life Sciences during the 2nd quarter worth about $630,000. 67.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kezar Life Sciences Company Profile

Kezar Life Sciences, Inc, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, engages in the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics to treat unmet needs in immune-mediated diseases and cancer in the United States. The company's lead product candidate is zetomipzomib (KZR-616), a selective immunoproteasome inhibitor that is in Phase 2b clinical trials for various indications, including lupus nephritis, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis; Phase 1b clinical trials in systemic lupus erythematosus; and completed Phase 2a clinical trials in lupus nephritis.