HC Wainwright Issues Optimistic Forecast for LENZ Earnings

LENZ Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:LENZ) – Analysts at HC Wainwright increased their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of LENZ Therapeutics in a report released on Wednesday, March 25th. HC Wainwright analyst M. Caufield now anticipates that the company will earn ($0.86) per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of ($0.96). HC Wainwright currently has a “Buy” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for LENZ Therapeutics’ current full-year earnings is ($2.18) per share. HC Wainwright also issued estimates for LENZ Therapeutics’ Q2 2026 earnings at ($0.77) EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at ($0.48) EPS, FY2026 earnings at ($2.68) EPS, FY2027 earnings at ($0.61) EPS and FY2030 earnings at $3.18 EPS.

Several other research analysts have also commented on the stock. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of LENZ Therapeutics from $52.00 to $26.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday. William Blair restated an “outperform” rating on shares of LENZ Therapeutics in a research note on Tuesday, March 10th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of LENZ Therapeutics in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Bank of America dropped their price target on LENZ Therapeutics from $35.00 to $29.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded LENZ Therapeutics from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, March 21st. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $45.60.

LENZ Therapeutics Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:LENZ opened at $8.40 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $13.75 and its two-hundred day moving average is $23.97. LENZ Therapeutics has a 1-year low of $8.40 and a 1-year high of $50.40. The stock has a market capitalization of $263.34 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.99 and a beta of 0.52.

LENZ Therapeutics (NASDAQ:LENZ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 24th. The company reported ($1.16) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.91) by ($0.25). The business had revenue of $1.59 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.09 million.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. raised its stake in shares of LENZ Therapeutics by 167.1% during the fourth quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 48,071 shares of the company’s stock valued at $769,000 after purchasing an additional 30,071 shares in the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new position in LENZ Therapeutics in the 4th quarter valued at about $59,000. Aristides Capital LLC acquired a new position in LENZ Therapeutics during the 4th quarter valued at about $168,000. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in LENZ Therapeutics during the 4th quarter valued at about $198,000. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd bought a new stake in shares of LENZ Therapeutics during the 4th quarter worth about $1,373,000. 54.32% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Trending Headlines about LENZ Therapeutics

Here are the key news stories impacting LENZ Therapeutics this week:

• Positive Sentiment: HC Wainwright raised near-term EPS forecasts for Q1 and Q2 2026 and upgraded FY2026/2027 trajectory (estimates moved closer to break-even), signaling improving visibility on operating performance. (Source: HC Wainwright research note)
• Positive Sentiment: HC Wainwright published a long‑term bullish projection (FY2030 EPS of $3.18), reflecting confidence in LENZ’s longer‑term commercialization or pipeline upside. (Source: HC Wainwright research note)
• Positive Sentiment: Bank of America set a new $29 price target for LENZ, which implies meaningful upside from current levels and may support buy-side interest. LENZ Therapeutics (NASDAQ:LENZ) Given New $29.00 Price Target at Bank of America
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent earnings call materials and coverage are available for review — useful for investors digging into guidance, R&D progress and management comments. Q4 2025 Earnings Call Summary Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript Analysts Offer Insights on Healthcare Companies
• Negative Sentiment: HC Wainwright trimmed its Q4 2026 EPS estimate (from -$0.41 to -$0.48) and reduced several multi‑year forecasts (FY2028 and FY2029 down), which increases near‑term earnings uncertainty. (Source: HC Wainwright research notes)
• Negative Sentiment: LENZ reported a Q4 2025 earnings miss (EPS and revenue below consensus), a direct catalyst that likely pressured the stock and prompted analyst revisions. Q4 2025 Earnings Call Summary
• Negative Sentiment: Citigroup cut its price target sharply (from $52 to $26) despite keeping a buy rating — the lower PT reduces near‑term upside expectations from some institutional investors. Citigroup Lowers LENZ Price Target

About LENZ Therapeutics

LENZ Therapeutics, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on developing and commercializing therapies to improve vision in the United States. Its product candidates include LNZ100 and LNZ101 which are in Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of presbyopia. The company is headquartered in Del Mar, California.