Sol-Gel Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:SLGL) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Sol-Gel Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:SLGL) have earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the five research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $110.00.

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Lifesci Capital upgraded shares of Sol-Gel Technologies to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, May 15th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Sol-Gel Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, May 16th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on shares of Sol-Gel Technologies in a report on Friday, May 29th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Sol-Gel Technologies from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “sell (d-)” rating in a report on Thursday, June 4th.

Sol-Gel Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:SLGL opened at $73.80 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $207.38 million, a PE ratio of -217.05 and a beta of 1.13. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $73.08 and its 200-day moving average is $67.95. Sol-Gel Technologies has a 52 week low of $6.96 and a 52 week high of $97.97.

Sol-Gel Technologies (NASDAQ:SLGL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 28th. The company reported ($1.31) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($2.86) by $1.55. The company had revenue of $0.11 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $0.90 million. Sol-Gel Technologies had a negative net margin of 5.66% and a negative return on equity of 3.17%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Sol-Gel Technologies will post -8.99 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Sol-Gel Technologies

In related news, major shareholder Opaleye Management Inc. acquired 1,937 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 13th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $66.87 per share, for a total transaction of $129,527.19. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider owned 488,437 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $32,661,782.19. This trade represents a 0.40% 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 the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 66.51% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sol-Gel Technologies

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Yelin Lapidot Holdings Management Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Sol-Gel Technologies during the fourth quarter worth about $748,000. Affinity Asset Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Sol-Gel Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $2,773,000. Finally, Opaleye Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Sol-Gel Technologies by 121.5% during the 4th quarter. Opaleye Management Inc. now owns 453,739 shares of the company’s stock valued at $19,121,000 after acquiring an additional 248,904 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.18% of the company’s stock.

About Sol-Gel Technologies

Sol-Gel Technologies, Inc (NASDAQ: SLGL) is a U.S.-based advanced materials company specializing in the development and commercialization of nanostructured materials using proprietary sol-gel processes. Leveraging expertise in materials chemistry and thin-film deposition, the company focuses on the production of metal oxide powders, sols, coatings and functional inks designed to enhance performance in a variety of industrial and commercial applications.

The company’s product portfolio includes corrosion- and abrasion-resistant coatings, dielectric and conductive films, catalyst supports and specialty fillers.