Short Interest in Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESPR) Declines By 5.6%

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ESPR) was the target of a large decline in short interest during the month of October. As of October 15th, there was short interest totalling 35,390,000 shares, a decline of 5.6% from the September 30th total of 37,470,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,640,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 9.7 days. Approximately 18.2% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Esperion Therapeutics Trading Down 0.5 %

NASDAQ:ESPR opened at $2.03 on Friday. Esperion Therapeutics has a 12 month low of $0.85 and a 12 month high of $3.40. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $1.87 and its 200 day moving average is $2.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $398.35 million, a PE ratio of -2.36 and a beta of 1.00.

Esperion Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ESPR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 12th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.05) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.15) by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $73.83 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $51.90 million. Research analysts predict that Esperion Therapeutics will post -0.09 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Esperion Therapeutics

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ESPR. Traphagen Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Esperion Therapeutics during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Boomfish Wealth Group LLC grew its position in shares of Esperion Therapeutics by 17.1% in the third quarter. Boomfish Wealth Group LLC now owns 34,997 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 5,102 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in shares of Esperion Therapeutics by 105.9% during the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 77,049 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $127,000 after purchasing an additional 39,635 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its holdings in Esperion Therapeutics by 104.8% during the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 35,254 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $78,000 after purchasing an additional 18,036 shares in the last quarter. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company bought a new position in Esperion Therapeutics in the 2nd quarter worth about $159,000. 47.39% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. StockNews.com raised Esperion Therapeutics from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, October 26th. HC Wainwright restated a “buy” rating and set a $16.00 price objective on shares of Esperion Therapeutics in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reduced their target price on shares of Esperion Therapeutics from $8.00 to $6.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $8.17.

Esperion Therapeutics Company Profile

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc, a pharmaceutical company, develops and commercializes medicines for the treatment of patients with elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Its marketed products include NEXLETOL (bempedoic acid) and NEXLIZET (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) tablets that are oral, once-daily, non-statin medicines for the treatment of primary hyperlipidemia in adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who require additional lowering of LDL-C.