Chembio's stock more than doubles off 11-year low after large order for COVID-19 antigen tests

Referenced Symbols

Shares of Chembio Diagnostics Inc. CEMI, +197.57% rocketed 102% on heavy volume in premarket trading Wednesday, infectious diseases diagnostic company announced a $28.3 million purchase order its SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests from Brazil-based Bio-Manguinhos. Trading volume spiked to 22.3 million shares, compared with the full-day average of about 525,100 shares. The stock was the biggest gainer and most actively traded ahead of the open. Chembio's SARS-CoV-2 antigen test is designed to detect an active COVID-19 infection in 20 minutes using a nasal swab. The order from Bio-Manguinhos, a subsidiary of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, is for delivery during 2021. To put the $28.3 million order in perspective, Chembio recorded total revenue of $32.47 million in 2020. Benchmark analyst Bruce Jackson said the order win is "important" for the company, as it tries to improve its cash position and manage its working capital. The stock, which closed Tuesday at an 11-year low, has tumbled 56.6% year to date while the Nasdaq Composite COMP, +0.50% has gained 12.5% and the S&P 500 SPX, +0.67% has advanced 15.1%.

Read Next

Read Next

NeuroMetrix stock more than triples on massive volume after fibromyalgia treatment gets FDA boost

Shares of NeuroMetrix Inc. undefined rocketed 241% toward a two-year high on record volume, after the Massachusetts-based medical device company said its Quell transcutaneous electric nerve stimulator received "Breakthrough Designation" from the Food and Drug Administration to treat fibromyalgia symptoms in adults. Trading volume ballooned to 228.3 million shares, compared with the full-day average over the past 30 days of about 125,600 shares, to make the stock the biggest gainer and most actively traded on major U.S. exchanges. Fibromyalgia is a form of chronic pain that affects 5 million to 15 million people, or 2% to 6% of the U.S. population, and is most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 30 and 50. Quell is a non-invasive wearable neurostimulator that provides flexible and precise nerve stimulation. Under the Breakthrough Designation program, the FDA will provide the company with priority review and interactive communication on device development through commercialization. In addition, there are government programs which may facilitate Medicare reimbursement. The stock has now rallied 251.9% year to date, while the SPDR Health Care Select Sector ETF undefined has gained 13.5% and the S&P 500 undefined has advanced 15.3%.

More On MarketWatch

About the Author