Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VKTX) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VKTX) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the thirteen analysts that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have issued a hold recommendation, five have issued a buy recommendation and four have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $95.50.

Several equities analysts have issued reports on VKTX shares. Cantor Fitzgerald dropped their price target on Viking Therapeutics from $105.00 to $100.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Wolfe Research started coverage on Viking Therapeutics in a research note on Thursday, March 26th. They issued a “peer perform” rating on the stock. BTIG Research raised Viking Therapeutics to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 26th. HC Wainwright reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $102.00 price target on shares of Viking Therapeutics in a research note on Monday, March 23rd. Finally, Zacks Research raised Viking Therapeutics from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th.

Viking Therapeutics Stock Performance

Shares of VKTX opened at $30.00 on Monday. Viking Therapeutics has a 52-week low of $22.96 and a 52-week high of $43.15. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $33.63 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $34.02. The firm has a market cap of $3.48 billion, a PE ratio of -7.25 and a beta of 0.72.

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The biotechnology company reported ($1.37) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($1.01) by ($0.36). During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned ($0.41) earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Viking Therapeutics will post -4.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Viking Therapeutics

In other news, insider Neil William Aubuchon acquired 4,475 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 10th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $33.50 per share, for a total transaction of $149,912.50. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider directly owned 4,475 shares in the company, valued at $149,912.50. The trade was a ? increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 5.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Viking Therapeutics

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of VKTX. Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in shares of Viking Therapeutics by 13.0% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 347,716 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $8,396,000 after acquiring an additional 39,886 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC bought a new stake in shares of Viking Therapeutics during the first quarter valued at approximately $230,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its holdings in shares of Viking Therapeutics by 1.4% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 470,028 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $11,351,000 after acquiring an additional 6,696 shares in the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Viking Therapeutics during the second quarter valued at approximately $196,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its holdings in shares of Viking Therapeutics by 29.5% during the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 2,109 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $56,000 after acquiring an additional 481 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 76.03% of the company’s stock.

About Viking Therapeutics

Viking Therapeutics, Inc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders. Headquartered in San Diego, California, the company’s pipeline leverages small-molecule approaches to target hormone signaling pathways implicated in conditions such as non?alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes and muscle wasting disorders.

The company’s lead programs include VK2809, a thyroid hormone receptor?beta agonist designed to reduce liver fat and improve lipid profiles in patients with NASH and dyslipidemia, and VK5211, a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) aimed at enhancing muscle mass and function in individuals with muscle wasting conditions.