Ocular Therapeutix Target of Unusually Large Options Trading (NASDAQ:OCUL)

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. (NASDAQ:OCUL) was the recipient of unusually large options trading activity on Friday. Stock investors bought 11,873 put options on the stock. This represents an increase of 287% compared to the average volume of 3,069 put options.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. HC Wainwright raised their price objective on shares of Ocular Therapeutix from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Ocular Therapeutix from $14.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Citigroup restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Ocular Therapeutix in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Ocular Therapeutix from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Saturday, December 6th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on Ocular Therapeutix from $17.00 to $24.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ocular Therapeutix currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $22.56.

Ocular Therapeutix Stock Performance

Ocular Therapeutix stock opened at $11.27 on Friday. Ocular Therapeutix has a fifty-two week low of $5.78 and a fifty-two week high of $16.44. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $12.32 and its 200-day simple moving average is $11.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 7.85 and a quick ratio of 7.78. The company has a market cap of $2.40 billion, a P/E ratio of -7.83 and a beta of 0.93.

Ocular Therapeutix (NASDAQ:OCUL) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.37) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.39) by $0.02. Ocular Therapeutix had a negative net margin of 447.57% and a negative return on equity of 86.33%. The firm had revenue of $14.54 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $14.57 million. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Ocular Therapeutix will post -0.98 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ocular Therapeutix

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of OCUL. Trust Co. of Vermont boosted its position in Ocular Therapeutix by 24.3% during the 4th quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 8,950 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $109,000 after acquiring an additional 1,750 shares during the period. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Ocular Therapeutix in the fourth quarter worth approximately $258,000. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Ocular Therapeutix by 68.8% during the fourth quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 93,662 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $1,137,000 after purchasing an additional 38,166 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in Ocular Therapeutix by 1,261.4% during the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 620,814 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $7,537,000 after purchasing an additional 575,214 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in Ocular Therapeutix in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $359,000. 59.21% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Ocular Therapeutix News

Here are the key news stories impacting Ocular Therapeutix this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Multiple reports say Sanofi is eyeing a bid for Ocular Therapeutix, fueling takeover speculation and upward pressure on the stock. BRIEF—Sanofi reportedly eyeing bid for Ocular Therapeutix
• Positive Sentiment: Additional outlets link Sanofi to a potential takeover approach, reinforcing the market narrative that a strategic buyer is interested. Sanofi linked to takeover bid for Ocular Therapeutix
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage highlighting that takeover speculation “sent Ocular’s stock soaring” amplified momentum and trading volume as event-driven traders reacted. Speculation of Sanofi Takeover Sends Ocular’s Stock Soaring
• Positive Sentiment: Reports indicate Sanofi may ready a higher bid after an initial rejection, keeping the chance of an improved takeover offer on the table. Sanofi readies higher bid for Ocular Therapeutix after initial rejection – report Sanofi weighs improved bid for Ocular Therapeutix following board rejection
• Positive Sentiment: Options activity also showed increased call buying the prior day, consistent with some traders positioning for upside around the takeover chatter (smaller volume lift). (No external link)
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst/market note reviewing OCUL’s valuation and recent mixed returns — useful context for investors assessing whether takeover premium or fundamentals justify current levels. Ocular Therapeutix (OCUL) Valuation Check After Mixed Recent Returns And AXPAXLI Expectations
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary noted a prior 6.1% jump and higher volume but warned that momentum may not be sustained absent a concrete deal or stronger fundamentals. Strength Seen in Ocular Therapeutix (OCUL)
• Negative Sentiment: Large surge in put buying (11,873 puts; ~287% above average) indicates some investors are hedging or betting on a near-term decline — this elevated bearish/options hedging activity could pressure the stock if sustained. (No external link)

Ocular Therapeutix Company Profile

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts, the company focuses on sustained-release drug delivery platforms designed to address key unmet needs in ophthalmology. Its proprietary hydrogel-based inserts and sealants aim to improve patient compliance and outcomes by providing controlled release of active pharmaceutical ingredients directly to ocular tissues.

The company’s flagship product, DEXTENZA®, is a preservative-free, sustained-release dexamethasone intracanalicular insert approved by the U.S.