{"id":132941,"date":"2023-06-02T19:39:05","date_gmt":"2023-06-02T19:39:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fin2me.com\/?p=132941"},"modified":"2023-06-02T19:39:05","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T19:39:05","slug":"orasure-technologies-cfo-makes-bold-insider-purchase-reigniting-investor-confidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fin2me.com\/markets\/orasure-technologies-cfo-makes-bold-insider-purchase-reigniting-investor-confidence\/","title":{"rendered":"OraSure Technologies’ CFO Makes Bold Insider Purchase, Reigniting Investor Confidence"},"content":{"rendered":"
OraSure Technologies (US:OSUR)\u00a0<\/strong>saw a stock price re-rate on Thursday, climbing 11% after investors became aware of its CFO\u00a0Kenneth McGrath buying shares in the diagnostic test developer.\u00a0 This latest rally in OSUR stock, gives traders and investors hope that the strong momentum from the beginning of 2023 might return.<\/p>\n OSUR shares had mounted an impressive 54% rally for 2023 through to May 10, when\u00a0the\u00a0first-quarter results update spooked investors.<\/p>\n The CFO\u2019s trade was initially spotted on Fintel\u2019s Insider Trading Tracker following the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.<\/p>\n Big Holdings Boost<\/strong><\/p>\n In the Form 4 filing, McGrath, who assumed CFO duties in August 2022, disclosed buying 100,000 shares on May 30 in the approved trading window that was open post results.<\/p>\n McGrath on average paid $4.93 per share, giving the total transaction a value just shy of $500,000\u00a0and boosted his total share count ownership to 285,512 shares.<\/p>\n A chart from the insider trading and analysis report for OSUR shows the share price performance and profit made from company officers in previous transactions.<\/p>\n Prior to joining OraSure, McGrath had an impressive eight-year tenure at Quest Diagnostics (US:DGX)<\/strong>, where he rose to the position of VP of Finance before departing. This is the first time that the CFO has bought stock in the company since August 2022. It is also worth noting that the purchase followed strong Q1 financial results, which exceeded Street forecasts.<\/p>\n Revenue Doubles<\/strong><\/p>\n In its recently published Q1 update, OraSure Technologies told investors that it generated a whopping\u00a0129% increase in revenue to $155 million, surpassing analyst expectations of around $123 million.<\/p>\n Notably, the revenue growth was driven primarily by the success of OraSure’s COVID-19 products, which accounted for $118.4 million in revenue for the quarter and grew 282% over the previous year.<\/p>\n The surge in revenue for this product was largely driven by the federal government’s school testing program, which led to record test volumes. However, it is important to note that demand for InteliSwab is expected to decline in Q2 2023<\/strong>, prompting OraSure to scale down its COVID-19 production operations. As part of its broader strategy to consolidate manufacturing, the company plans to close an overseas production facility.<\/p>\n While the COVID-19 products division has been instrumental in OraSure’s recent success, its core business delivered stable flat sales of $36.6 million during the quarter.<\/p>\n In terms of net income, OraSure achieved an impressive result of $27.2 million, or $0.37 per share, in Q1, marking a significant improvement compared to the loss of $19.9 million, or a loss of $0.28 per share, in the same period last year. This result exceeded consensus forecasts of $0.16 per share. As of the end of the quarter, the company held $112.4 million in cash and cash equivalents.<\/p>\n Looking ahead to Q2, OraSure has provided revenue guidance in the range of $62 to $67 million, reflecting the lower order activity from the US government with $25 to $30 million expected sales for InteliSwab. The declining Covid related sales have been a core driver of the share price weakness in recent weeks.<\/strong><\/p>\n While sales are likely to fall in the coming quarters, one positive for the company is its low debt balance during this period of rising cash rates. A chart from Fintels financial metrics and ratios page for OSUR shows the cash flow performance of the business over the last five years.<\/p>\n Analyst Opinions<\/strong><\/p>\n Stephen\u2019s<\/strong> analyst Jacob Johnson thinks that outside of Covid, OSUR continues to execute on several cost and partnership initiatives which he believes appears to be bearing fruit. Johnson pointed out that three partnerships were signed during the quarter.<\/p>\n The analyst thinks that the ex-Covid growth story will be the new focus for investors from now on. The brokerage maintained its \u2018equal-weight\u2019 recommendation and $6.50 target price on the stock, matching\u00a0Fintel\u2019s consensus target price, suggesting OSUR\u00a0stock could rise a further 29% in the next 12 months.<\/p>\n This article originally appeared on Fintel<\/i><\/p>\n Sponsored: Tips for Investing<\/b><\/p>\n A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.<\/p>\n Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses,\tconsider checking out online brokerages. 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