Short Interest in Vicarious Surgical Inc. Surges Over 120%

Vicarious Surgical Inc. (NYSE:RBOT) has experienced a significant increase in short interest, rising by 120.1% in January 2023. As of January 15, short interest totaled 309,143 shares, up from 140,432 shares reported on December 31, 2022. With an average trading volume of 266,613 shares, the current short-interest ratio stands at 1.2 days, indicating that approximately 5.2% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Vicarious Surgical’s stock performance has been mixed, with shares trading up by $0.13 on Friday, reaching $2.21. The trading volume for the day was 68,429 shares, which is below the average volume of 177,188 shares. The company’s stock has seen a 50-day moving average of $2.50 and a 200-day moving average of $5.15. Vicarious Surgical currently holds a market capitalization of $14.48 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.24, and a beta of 1.52. Over the past year, the stock has fluctuated, recording a low of $1.80 and a high of $16.35.

Quarterly Earnings and Analyst Insights

The company last reported its quarterly earnings on November 12, 2022, posting an earnings per share (EPS) of ($1.91), which exceeded the consensus estimate of ($2.37) by $0.46. Analysts project that Vicarious Surgical will report an EPS of ($10.89) for the current fiscal year.

Recent reports from analysts indicate a cautious outlook for Vicarious Surgical. BTIG Research reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on December 12, 2022, while Weiss Ratings assigned a “sell (e+)” rating on January 21, 2023. Additionally, Wall Street Zen downgraded the stock from a “hold” to a “sell” rating. Currently, two analysts have rated the stock as “hold,” and one has assigned a “sell” rating. The consensus rating stands at “Reduce,” with a target price of $7.00, according to data from MarketBeat.com.

About Vicarious Surgical

Vicarious Surgical develops advanced robotic surgical systems that incorporate virtual reality (VR) technology with minimally invasive tools. Their flagship product features ultra-slim, articulated robotic arms paired with a VR surgeon console. This innovative design allows surgeons to perform laparoscopic procedures with improved precision and visual immersion while minimizing patient trauma compared to traditional surgical methods. The technology aims to assist various surgical specialties, including general surgery, gynecology, and urology.

As Vicarious Surgical continues to navigate the complexities of the medical technology market, the recent surge in short interest reflects the heightened scrutiny of its performance and future prospects. The company’s developments, combined with ongoing analyst assessments, will be crucial in shaping investor sentiment in the coming months.