Short Interest in KALA BIO, Inc. (NASDAQ:KALA) Increases By 88.8%

KALA BIO, Inc. (NASDAQ:KALA) was the target of a large increase in short interest in February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 300,700 shares, an increase of 88.8% from the January 31st total of 159,300 shares. Currently, 6.0% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 61,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.9 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, HC Wainwright reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $15.00 price objective on shares of KALA BIO in a report on Thursday, February 13th.

Insider Buying and Selling at KALA BIO

In related news, major shareholder Bros. Advisors Lp Baker acquired 310,559 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 30th. The shares were bought at an average price of $6.44 per share, with a total value of $1,999,999.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 1,083,398 shares in the company, valued at $6,977,083.12. This trade represents a 40.18 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Mark T. Iwicki sold 5,779 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.63, for a total transaction of $44,093.77. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 280,076 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,136,979.88. This represents a 2.02 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 9,506 shares of company stock valued at $72,531 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 8.32% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in KALA. OCONNOR A Distinct Business Unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its holdings in shares of KALA BIO by 10.0% during the fourth quarter. OCONNOR A Distinct Business Unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 178,934 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,242,000 after buying an additional 16,271 shares during the last quarter. Baker BROS. Advisors LP lifted its position in KALA BIO by 34.8% during the 4th quarter. Baker BROS. Advisors LP now owns 1,201,894 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,341,000 after acquiring an additional 310,559 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in KALA BIO by 28.4% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 47,642 shares of the company’s stock valued at $331,000 after purchasing an additional 10,526 shares during the last quarter. Silverarc Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of KALA BIO in the fourth quarter valued at about $1,604,000. Finally, SR One Capital Management LP raised its stake in shares of KALA BIO by 35.0% in the fourth quarter. SR One Capital Management LP now owns 598,940 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,157,000 after purchasing an additional 155,279 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 24.61% of the company’s stock.

KALA BIO Stock Down 0.6 %

Shares of KALA traded down $0.04 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $6.93. 10,771 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 80,976. The business has a 50 day moving average of $7.74 and a 200 day moving average of $6.69. The company has a market capitalization of $42.21 million, a PE ratio of -0.56 and a beta of -2.03. The company has a quick ratio of 2.15, a current ratio of 2.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.18. KALA BIO has a 1-year low of $4.21 and a 1-year high of $11.20.

KALA BIO Company Profile

KALA BIO, Inc, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, engages in the research, development, and commercialization of innovative therapies for rare and severe eye diseases in the United States. The company's product candidates include KPI-012, which is in Phase 2b clinical trial for the treatment of persistent corneal epithelial defects.