I like the stock because CRISPR isn’t just another biotech — it’s rewriting the future of medicine.
They already made history with exa-cel, the first FDA-approved CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy, now curing sickle cell and beta-thalassemia. Not managing — curing.
I like the stock because they’re going after cancer, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s. They’re backed by Vertex, Bayer, and a Nobel Prize–winning co-founder. This is real infrastructure, not just speculative science.
I like the stock because shorts are losing — hard. CRSP climbed from $51 in June to a high of $69.10 by late July. Most shorts entered between $51–$55, which means they were $14–18 underwater per share.
Total short interest is 25.3 million shares, or 33.3% of the float — worth over $1.6 billion at current prices. Borrow fees average 4.3–4.5% APR, costing shorts over $1.3 million per week just to hold.
Days to cover sits around 7.7, meaning it could take over a week to buy back without blowing up the price — if they even tried.
I like the stock because even after weeks of pain, they’re still shorting — 5.6 million shares shorted on July 24 alone. That’s not conviction. That’s a trap.
I like the stock because Monday’s earnings call is at 8am pre-market — the kind of timing you pick when you want to control the narrative with good news.
I like the stock because this isn’t about a meme. It’s about a company positioned to lead the genomic revolution.
As of July 15, CRSP has 25.3 million shares sold short, representing roughly 30.6% of float. That’s up from 21.4 million on June 13 and 25.5 million by June 30, marking a 19% jump in just two weeks. Borrow fees sit between 4.2% and 4.5% APR, costing short sellers an estimated $1.2 million per week just to hold their positions.
Many of these shorts entered around $51–$53, meaning at CRSP’s recent high of $69, they were $16–18 per share underwater — a paper loss of over $400 million. Even after the recent pullback, the stock closed today at $56.86, keeping most short positions deep in the red.
Short volume also spiked to nearly 895,000 shares on July 24, with dark pool trades making up 69% of off-exchange volume that day. Days to cover is now 7.7 — a sign that an exit for shorts could be messy if volume dries up and buyers rush in.
With the earnings call coming Monday at 8 a.m., this pressure is building fast. The shorts haven’t left — they’ve doubled down.
CRSP - CRISPR Therapeutics’ CEO quietly bought 1 million shares just a few weeks ago, totaling a $51 million dollar insider purchase around the $51/share mark. That’s not something executives do lightly — especially not in biotech, where insider buys of that size are rare.
Now, earnings are scheduled for 8am Monday morning — before the market even opens. That means there's no time for shorts to reposition if the results are strong. With over 25 million shares still short, nearly 33% of the float, and borrow rates around 4.5% APR, any surprise could trigger a scramble.
Since the CEO’s purchase, CRSP rallied toward $69 before pulling back slightly. But this isn’t just about price — it’s about conviction. When the person with the most insight into the company risks that much capital ahead of earnings, it demands attention.
With high short interest, slowing volume creating a long 7.7-day cover window, and a CEO doubling down before a major catalyst, the setup is clear. Something’s brewing.
Earnings drop Monday at 8am — before the market opens. That’s pre-market panic or pre-market rocket fuel.
Here’s where we stand heading into the call: – 33.3% of float short – 25.3M shares shorted – $1.46B in short exposure – ~$130M in mark-to-market losses – 7.7 days to cover – Borrow fees: 4.5% APR – Dark pool activity > 60% – Stock pulled back from recent highs near $69
If earnings surprise to the upside — or guidance shows growth — there’s no time for shorts to reposition. They’re already cornered.
This isn’t just earnings. It’s the setup for a potential short-cycle squeeze.
Short interest remains extreme: – 25.3M shares short – 33.3% of float – ~$1.46B in short exposure – Borrow fees ~4.5% APR = $1.26M/week to stay short – Estimated average entry ~$52.50
Today’s price: $57.68 At peak recent highs near $69, shorts were down over $400M. Even after the pullback, they’re still sitting on ~$130M in losses. With 7.7 days to cover, any surge in volume can trap them again.
CRSP Over the last several trading sessions, ~65% of CRSP's short volume occurred off-exchange, meaning block trades in dark pools. That’s massive—well above normal. It suggests institutional or informed buyers/sellers are positioning quietly while public tape looks weak.
CRSP - I Like the Stock
