(ORIC) Oric Pharmaceuticals - Ratings and Ratios

Oric Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ORIC) trades at roughly $9.85 per share, hovering just below its 20‑day moving average of $9.89 and significantly under its 50‑day average of $10.29, indicating short‑term downward pressure despite a 200‑day average of $8.51 that suggests a longer‑term floor near $8.5.

The stock’s volatility is high, with an average true range of $0.46 (≈4.6% of price) and a beta of 1.69, exposing it to amplified market swings relative to the S&P 500. Daily liquidity averages 826,000 shares, sufficient for moderate institutional activity but prone to price impact on larger orders.

Market capitalization sits near $946 million, placing ORIC in the small‑cap biotech tier where cash runway and milestone financing dominate valuation. The company reports a negative return on equity of –51.75%, reflecting substantial net losses relative to its equity base.

Key performance indicators for a biotech of this size include cash burn, R&D intensity, and pipeline progression. ORIC’s latest 10‑Q disclosed cash and cash equivalents of approximately $150 million, translating to roughly 12‑month runway at current burn rates (~$12‑$15 million per quarter). R&D expense accounts for about 55% of total operating costs, underscoring heavy investment in clinical development.

The primary economic driver is the advancement of its lead product candidates through Phase II/III trials. Successful data readouts or FDA filings can trigger binary price movements, while trial setbacks or regulatory delays depress valuation. Secondary drivers include partnership deals with larger pharma firms, which can provide upfront payments, milestone fees, and shared commercialization risk.

Sector dynamics further influence ORIC: biotech funding cycles, macro‑level risk appetite, and the prevailing interest‑rate environment affect discount rates applied to future cash flows. A rising Fed rate environment compresses present values of long‑term drug revenue streams, intensifying the need for near‑term de‑risking events.

From a valuation standpoint, the zero P/E and forward P/E reflect a lack of earnings and reliance on future catalysts. Investors must price in the probability‑adjusted outcomes of clinical milestones rather than traditional earnings multiples.