Investment Outlook for Viking Therapeutics and Bitcoin
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 22 2026
0mins
Should l Buy LLY?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking Therapeutics' lead candidate VK2735 has shown significant weight loss in phase 2 trials with a tolerable side effect profile, and the company has initiated two phase 3 studies, with the oral formulation expected to enter trials in Q3 2026; positive results could accelerate FDA approval and unlock substantial market potential.
- Strong Financial Position: The company holds $706 million in cash and short-term investments, sufficient to cover its $393 million annual operating expenses, ensuring financial stability until more clinical data is available, and if results remain positive, the stock price could see significant appreciation.
- Intense Market Competition: Viking's weight-loss treatment will face competition from established players like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, which have already launched approved oral weight-loss drugs, potentially impacting Viking's market share and shareholder returns.
- Bitcoin Investment Potential: In contrast, Bitcoin's growth does not rely on clinical data or regulatory approvals, with its value primarily driven by supply and demand dynamics; recent capital inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs reached $614 million, indicating strong market demand, and despite its volatility, long-term supply constraints are likely to drive price increases.
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Analyst Views on LLY
Wall Street analysts forecast LLY stock price to rise
20 Analyst Rating
18 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 878.240
Low
950.00
Averages
1192
High
1500
Current: 878.240
Low
950.00
Averages
1192
High
1500
About LLY
Eli Lilly and Company is a medicine company, which discovers, develops, manufactures, and market products in a single business segment called human pharmaceutical products. The Company manufacture and distribute its products through facilities in the United States, including Puerto Rico, and in Europe and Asia. The Company’s products are sold in approximately 90 countries. Its Cardiometabolic Health products Basaglar; Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, and others; Humulin, Humulin 70/30, and others; Jardiance; Mounjaro; Trulicity; Zepbound, and others. Its oncology products include Cyramza, Erbitux, Tyvyt, Verzenio, Retevmo, Jaypirca, and others. Its immunology products include Ebglyss, Olumiant, Omvoh, and Taltz. Its neuroscience products include Emgality and Kisunla. Its LillyDirect, a direct-to-patient digital health care platform, provides delivery of select Lilly medicines dispensed by third-party pharmacies to patients.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Statistical Superiority: The aim is to demonstrate that Total Tz Monotherapy is statistically superior in its effects compared to other treatments.
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Efficacy Results: The data demonstrated superior efficacy for adults suffering from psoriatic arthritis and obesity.
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- Oil Price Volatility: Crude oil prices surged 55% in March following Trump's threat to 'take the oil in Iran,' marking the largest monthly gain ever, which has heightened concerns about the potential impact on the U.S. economy and market sentiment.
- Government Shutdown Impact: Trump signed an executive order to ensure TSA employees are paid after Congress failed to reach a deal, which may lead to longer security wait times and higher airfare for travelers, further affecting consumer confidence.
- Tech Industry Legal Risks: Meta's two courtroom defeats reveal the legal liabilities tech companies face when researching product impacts, which could have significant implications for the AI industry, prompting firms to reassess the risks versus rewards of such research investments.
- Pharmaceutical Collaboration: Eli Lilly's $2.75 billion deal with Insilico Medicine aims to bring AI-developed drugs to the global market, which not only boosted Lilly's stock price but also highlights the rapidly growing potential of AI applications in the pharmaceutical sector.
See More
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- Oil Price Surge: Crude oil prices skyrocketed by 55% in March following Trump's threat to seize Iranian oil, marking the largest monthly gain ever, which pressures the U.S. economy and forces companies to adjust pricing strategies to cope with rising costs.
- Market Recovery Signal: Despite the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite experiencing their worst week of 2026, stock futures rose after Trump indicated “great progress” in negotiations with Iran, reflecting investor optimism about market recovery.
- TSA Employee Pay Restoration: Trump signed an executive order ensuring Transportation Security Administration employees will receive pay after Congress failed to reach a deal to end the government shutdown, alleviating traveler frustrations caused by long security wait times.
- AI Drug Development Partnership: Eli Lilly struck a $2.75 billion deal with Insilico Medicine to bring AI-developed drugs to market, enhancing Lilly's market confidence and potentially accelerating the application of AI in the pharmaceutical industry.
See More
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- Safe Haven: The Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP) focuses on short-term U.S. Treasury bonds, delivering only a 3.15% return over the past decade, yet it protects capital during market downturns, ensuring investors' purchasing power remains intact against inflation.
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Stock Market Reaction: Stock futures are showing an upward trend on Monday.
Conflict Duration: The war in Iran has now entered its second month.
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