Shares of Viking Therapeutics (VKTX.O) declined today, crossing below the 20-day simple moving average, indicating a shift towards bearish momentum. This drop comes despite the company's recent announcement of completing patient enrollment ahead of schedule for its Phase 3 VANQUISH-1 clinical trial of VK2735, a dual agonist aimed at treating obesity, which has garnered participation from approximately 4,650 adults.
The trial, designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study lasting 78 weeks, aims to evaluate VK2735's efficacy and safety, with primary endpoints focused on body weight change. While Viking previously reported promising results from its Phase 2 VENTURE study, the stock's performance has been lackluster, down 5.6% year-to-date and trailing the S&P 500 by 18.7 percentage points.
Adding to the stock's volatility, 5AM Venture Management recently liquidated its entire position in Viking, selling 189,593 shares for an estimated $5.02 million. This move is interpreted as a rebalancing strategy rather than a lack of confidence in Viking's drug development, underscoring the long-term investment nature in clinical-stage biopharmaceuticals. Investors are advised to remain patient as stock movements are heavily influenced by clinical data rather than market trading activity.
Wall Street analysts forecast VKTX stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for VKTX is 97.00 USD with a low forecast of 70.00 USD and a high forecast of 125.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
12 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast VKTX stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for VKTX is 97.00 USD with a low forecast of 70.00 USD and a high forecast of 125.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
12 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 30.410
Low
70.00
Averages
97.00
High
125.00
Current: 30.410
Low
70.00
Averages
97.00
High
125.00
Canaccord
initiated
$106
2025-10-29
Reason
Canaccord
Price Target
$106
AI Analysis
2025-10-29
initiated
Reason
Canaccord initiated coverage of Viking Therapeutics with a Buy rating and $106 price target.
Canaccord
Edward Nash
initiated
$106
2025-10-29
Reason
Canaccord
Edward Nash
Price Target
$106
2025-10-29
initiated
Reason
Canaccord analyst Edward Nash initiated coverage of Viking Therapeutics with a Buy rating and $106 price target. The firm views Viking as a leader in the obesity drug development space. It expects a readout from the company's two Phase 3 trials in 2027 and mid-2028, respectively. Viking also reported "strong" efficacy Phase 2 data in August from the oral version of VK2735, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Canaccord believes the drug can differentiate on "multiple fronts."
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JPMorgan
Overweight
downgrade
$80 -> $75
2025-10-24
Reason
JPMorgan
Price Target
$80 -> $75
2025-10-24
downgrade
Overweight
Reason
JPMorgan lowered the firm's price target on Viking Therapeutics to $75 from $80 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares.
Morgan Stanley
Overweight
maintain
$98 -> $102
2025-10-23
Reason
Morgan Stanley
Price Target
$98 -> $102
2025-10-23
maintain
Overweight
Reason
Morgan Stanley raised the firm's price target on Viking Therapeutics to $102 from $98 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares. The VANQUISH-1 obesity and VANQUISH-2 Type 2 diabetes plus obesity trials are enrolling ahead of schedule, notes the analyst, who also notes that management plans to meet with the FDA in an end-of-Phase 2 meeting for oral VK2735 in Q4 with a Phase 3 start targeted soon after. The firm is "encouraged by swift execution across programs," the analyst tells investors after the company's Q3 update.
About VKTX
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is focused on the development of therapies for the treatment of metabolic and endocrine disorders. Its clinical programs include VK2735, a novel dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptors for the potential treatment of various metabolic disorders. It is evaluating an oral formulation of VK2735 in a Phase II trial. It is also developing VK2809, a novel, orally available, small molecule selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist for the treatment of lipid and metabolic disorders. Its newest program is evaluating a series of internally developed dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity and other metabolic disorders. In the rare disease space, it is developing VK0214, a novel, orally available, small molecule selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist for the potential treatment of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.
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.
