Opus Genetics (NASDAQ:IRD) Sees Large Volume Increase After Analyst Upgrade

Opus Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:IRD) shares saw an uptick in trading volume on Thursday after Wedbush raised their price target on the stock from $10.00 to $13.00. Wedbush currently has an outperform rating on the stock. 4,770,454 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 262% from the previous session’s volume of 1,316,189 shares.The stock last traded at $6.2060 and had previously closed at $5.73.

IRD has been the topic of a number of other reports. Leerink Partners started coverage on Opus Genetics in a report on Thursday, May 21st. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $10.00 target price on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Opus Genetics from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. BTIG Research reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $12.00 price objective on shares of Opus Genetics in a research note on Wednesday. Citizens Jmp reiterated a “market outperform” rating and set a $11.00 price objective on shares of Opus Genetics in a report on Monday, June 15th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Opus Genetics from $10.00 to $9.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Opus Genetics has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $11.92.

Insider Buying and Selling at Opus Genetics

In related news, CFO Robert Gagnon sold 28,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $4.54, for a total transaction of $127,120.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 556,375 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,525,942.50. The trade was a 4.79% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, CEO George Magrath sold 9,475 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $2.95, for a total transaction of $27,951.25. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,731,869 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,109,013.55. The trade was a 0.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. In the last quarter, insiders sold 57,331 shares of company stock valued at $213,749. Company insiders own 11.70% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Opus Genetics

Here are the key news stories impacting Opus Genetics this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Opus Genetics reported positive low-dose Cohort 1 results from the Phase 1/2 BIRD-1 trial of OPGx-BEST1. All five participants showed clinically meaningful visual-function improvement, while no serious adverse events or dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Opus Genetics Announces Positive Low Dose Cohort 1 Data
• Positive Sentiment: The company said the FDA aligned with a potential pivotal endpoint and that a Phase 3 trial could begin dosing in 2027. Cohort 2 was over-enrolled, with three-month data expected in the second quarter of 2027.
• Positive Sentiment: Opus Genetics expects to have cash runway into 2029, potentially supporting multiple clinical milestones and reducing near-term financing pressure.
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised or reaffirmed bullish views following the data. Oppenheimer increased its price target to $20 from $10, while Wedbush raised its target to $13 from $10. BTIG and Chardan maintained Buy ratings with $12 and $13 targets, respectively; HC Wainwright reaffirmed Buy with an $8 target. Wedbush Raises Price Target
• Positive Sentiment: Unusually heavy call-option activity, roughly 681% above typical volume, suggests speculative traders were positioning for further gains.
• Neutral Sentiment: The results remain early-stage and involve only five participants in the initial low-dose cohort. Additional follow-up, Cohort 2 results and successful Phase 3 execution will be needed to validate the therapy.
• Negative Sentiment: CFO Robert Gagnon sold 28,000 shares for $127,120 to cover tax withholding from vested equity awards. The sale was a relatively small reduction in his holdings and appears administrative, but insider selling can still weigh modestly on sentiment.

Institutional Trading of Opus Genetics

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Blair William & Co. IL grew its stake in Opus Genetics by 12.3% in the 4th quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 27,466 shares of the company’s stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 3,000 shares during the period. Opaleye Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Opus Genetics by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Opaleye Management Inc. now owns 1,125,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,624,000 after purchasing an additional 5,000 shares during the period. Seven Fleet Capital Management LP raised its stake in shares of Opus Genetics by 6.6% during the 2nd quarter. Seven Fleet Capital Management LP now owns 143,137 shares of the company’s stock worth $588,000 after purchasing an additional 8,895 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Opus Genetics by 95.6% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 22,508 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 11,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Engineers Gate Manager LP purchased a new position in shares of Opus Genetics in the 2nd quarter worth about $50,000. 14.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Opus Genetics Stock Up 7.8%

The company’s 50-day moving average is $3.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $4.30. The company has a market cap of $510.69 million, a P/E ratio of -4.54 and a beta of 0.58.

Opus Genetics (NASDAQ:IRD) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.14) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.16) by $0.02. The business had revenue of $0.76 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.63 million. Opus Genetics had a negative net margin of 1,091.82% and a negative return on equity of 338.88%. On average, analysts anticipate that Opus Genetics, Inc. will post -0.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Opus Genetics Company Profile

Opus Genetics Inc is a clinical-stage ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company, focuses on developing and commercializing therapies for the treatment of unmet needs of patients with refractive and retinal eye disorders. Opus Genetics Inc, formerly known as Ocuphire Pharma Inc, is based in Farmington Hills, Michigan.