VKTX
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. · Healthcare · Biotechnology
At close
$29.37
+$0.08 (+0.27%) Close
Prev close $29.29
Open $29.39
Day high $29.61
Day low $29.18
Volume 4,116
Avg vol 2,206,765
Mkt cap
$3.40B
P/E ratio
-7.08
EPS
-4.15
Sector
Healthcare
AI report sections
VKTX
Viking Therapeutics, Inc.
Viking Therapeutics, Inc operates as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with no debt and a very high liquidity profile, but its operations are characterized by large and worsening losses typical of pre-revenue development. The share price sits in the upper half of its 52-week range with positive 6- and 12-month returns and supportive momentum indicators, yet elevated short interest and rich valuation multiples underscore substantial risk and sensitivity to clinical and competitive news. Recent coverage has been uniformly positive around its obesity drug pipeline, which aligns with constructive technical patterns in the near term while fundamentals remain highly dependent on future trial and commercialization outcomes.
AI summarized at 12:34 PM ET, 2026-03-10
AI summary scores
INTRADAY: 63 SWING: 67 LONG: 38
Volume vs average
Intraday (cumulative)
+75% (Above avg)
Vol/Avg: 1.75×
RSI
48.39 (Neutral)
Neutral (40–60)
MACD momentum
Intraday
-0.01 (Weak)
MACD: -0.06 Signal: -0.06
Short-Term
+0.28 (Strong)
MACD: -0.28 Signal: -0.56
Long-Term
+0.14 (Strong)
MACD: -0.73 Signal: -0.87
Intraday trend score 44.57

Latest news

VKTX 12 articles Positive: 6 Neutral: 6 Negative: 0
Positive The Motley Fool • James Brumley
The Smartest Growth Stocks to Buy With $2,000 Right Now

The article recommends three undervalued growth stocks for investors with $2,000 to deploy: Shopify, which has declined 40% but remains the future of e-commerce; Nice Ltd, a customer service automation specialist with strong AI integration potential; and Viking Therapeutics, an emerging weight-loss drug developer with a potentially superior GLP-1 alternative in phase 3 trials.

SHOP NICE VKTX AMZN growth stocks e-commerce customer service automation AI integration
Sentiment note

Despite August stock decline and disappointing phase 3 update, analysts maintain strong buy ratings with $95.40 consensus target; VK2735 shows superior efficacy, tolerability, and flexibility compared to competitors in a potentially $200 billion market.

Neutral The Motley Fool • Jeff Siegel
President Trump Loaded Up on Eli Lilly in Q1. Should You Buy the Obesity Drug Stock Too?

President Trump's Q1 2026 financial disclosures revealed significant purchases of Eli Lilly stock, a major player in the booming anti-obesity drug market. The article cautions investors against simply copying political trades, emphasizing that investment decisions should be based on business fundamentals rather than celebrity or political endorsements. Eli Lilly's obesity treatments Mounjaro and Zepbound generated over $30 billion in combined sales in 2025, with analysts projecting the global anti-obesity drug market could exceed $95-200 billion. While Lilly maintains a strong competitive position with manufacturing advantages and a robust pipeline, its premium valuation already reflects years of future growth, presenting significant downside risk if sales slow or competition intensifies.

LLY NVO VKTX AMGN obesity drugs pharmaceutical market Mounjaro Zepbound
Sentiment note

Mentioned as one of several competitors developing next-generation obesity treatments, representing increasing competitive pressure in the market but without specific performance metrics provided.

Positive The Motley Fool • Adria Cimino
Prediction: These 2 Obesity Drug Stocks Could Double in 2026

The obesity drug market is projected to reach nearly $100 billion by decade's end. While Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk dominate, two other companies—Viking Therapeutics and AbbVie—are positioned for significant growth. Viking is advancing VK-2735, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist in phase 3 trials with promising results. AbbVie is developing ABBV-295, a long-acting amylin analog with positive phase 1 data. Both stocks are predicted to potentially double in 2026 based on upcoming trial results and market expansion.

VKTX ABBV LLY NVO obesity drugs weight loss market GLP-1 receptor agonist clinical trials
Sentiment note

Clinical-stage biotech with promising phase 2 results for VK-2735. Stock has shown strong momentum (121% gain after previous data release). Phase 3 trials underway with maintenance dosing data expected Q3, providing near-term catalysts for further gains.

Neutral The Motley Fool • Adria Cimino
Eli Lilly Just Made a Game-Changing Move in the Billion-Dollar Weight Loss Drug Space. Here's What You Need to Know.

Eli Lilly achieved a significant phase 3 trial win with retatrutide, a weight loss drug candidate that demonstrated superior efficacy compared to current market leaders. The drug helped patients lose an average of 28% of body weight over 80 weeks by acting on three hormonal pathways, compared to Novo Nordisk's single-pathway and Lilly's existing dual-pathway drugs. With 60% U.S. market share and this promising new candidate, Lilly is positioned to maintain dominance in the rapidly growing weight loss drug market expected to reach $100 billion by the early 2030s.

LLY NVO PFE VKTX weight loss drugs GLP-1 agonists retatrutide phase 3 trial
Sentiment note

Mentioned as a biotech company aiming to enter the weight loss drug market, but no specific developments or competitive positioning discussed relative to market leaders.

Positive The Motley Fool • Jeff Siegel
Is Viking Therapeutics a Top Takeover Target?

Viking Therapeutics is increasingly viewed as an acquisition target for large pharmaceutical companies seeking obesity drug exposure. The company's lead candidate VK2735 shows strong efficacy data in both injectable and oral formulations, with Phase 3 trials underway. With a market cap of $3.6B and $603M in cash, Viking trades at $30/share while analysts project $95 price targets, making it potentially cheaper for big pharma to acquire than develop competing assets independently.

VKTX LLY NVO obesity drugs GLP-1 agonist pharmaceutical acquisition VK2735 Phase 3 trials
Sentiment note

Strong clinical efficacy data (12.2-14.7% weight loss), advanced pipeline with both oral and injectable formulations, Phase 3 trials fully enrolled, solid balance sheet with $603M cash, and significant upside potential with analyst price targets of $95 vs. current $30 price. Positioned as attractive acquisition target in high-value obesity market.

Positive The Motley Fool • Prosper Junior Bakiny
2 Stocks That Could Realistically Double by 2030

Abivax and Viking Therapeutics are two biotech companies that could potentially double in value by 2030 if their leading drug candidates succeed in clinical trials and regulatory approval. Abivax is developing obefazimod for ulcerative colitis, while Viking Therapeutics is advancing VK2735 for weight loss treatment. Both stocks carry significant risk due to their clinical-stage status and lack of approved products.

ABVX VKTX biotech clinical trials drug development weight loss medicine ulcerative colitis regulatory approval
Sentiment note

VK2735 is positioned in the fast-growing weight loss market with both subcutaneous and oral formulations in development. Phase 3 trial data expected within 12-18 months, and development of alternative amylin/calcitonin-mimicking drug provides strategic optionality and potential market differentiation.

Positive Benzinga • Prnewswire
Viking Therapeutics to Participate at Upcoming Investor Conferences

Viking Therapeutics announced its participation in two major investor conferences in June 2026: the William Blair 46th Annual Growth Stock Conference (June 2-4 in Chicago) and the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference (June 3-4 in New York). The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company will present its pipeline including VK2735 for obesity, VK2809 for metabolic disorders, and VK0214 for rare disease treatment.

VKTX investor conference biopharmaceutical VK2735 VK2809 obesity treatment metabolic disorders clinical trials
Sentiment note

The company's participation in prestigious investor conferences demonstrates confidence in its pipeline and provides visibility to institutional investors. The announcement highlights multiple clinical programs in advanced stages (Phase 2/3), with positive trial data mentioned for VK2735 and VK2809, suggesting progress in development of therapies for significant market opportunities in obesity and metabolic disorders.

Neutral The Motley Fool • Reuben Gregg Brewer
Best Weight Loss Drug Stocks to Buy in 2026

The GLP-1 weight-loss drug market is booming with three main investment options. Eli Lilly leads with strong Mounjaro and Zepbound sales growth but trades at an expensive 35x P/E ratio. Novo Nordisk, the first-to-market player, faces pricing pressures and patent expirations but offers a compelling turnaround opportunity at a 10x P/E after a 45% stock decline. Viking Therapeutics represents a high-risk, high-reward bet for aggressive investors with GLP-1 drugs in clinical trials.

LLY NVO VKTX GLP-1 drugs weight-loss medications pharmaceutical stocks Mounjaro Zepbound
Sentiment note

High-risk biotech startup with GLP-1 drugs in clinical trials. Stock has experienced dramatic price swings but minimal net movement. Recommended only for aggressive growth investors. Breakthrough potential exists but remains speculative.

Neutral The Motley Fool • Prosper Junior Bakiny
Eli Lilly Stock: Next Stop $2,000?

Eli Lilly's stock has surged above $1,000 following strong Q1 results driven by its dominance in weight-loss and diabetes markets. Despite increasing competition from rivals like Novo Nordisk and Amgen, the company maintains advantages through superior pipeline candidates like Retatrutide and diversified revenue streams in oncology, immunology, and neuroscience. AI-powered drug development efforts could further accelerate growth, potentially enabling the stock to double within six years.

LLY NVO AMGN VKTX weight-loss drugs pharmaceutical competition drug pipeline AI in drug development
Sentiment note

Mentioned as developing phase 3 weight-loss candidate VK-2375, representing competitive threat but with no indication of superiority over Eli Lilly's pipeline.

Neutral The Motley Fool • Adria Cimino
Should Eli Lilly Investors Worry About Its Newest Rival -- From Within?

Eli Lilly dominates the rapidly growing weight loss drug market with its GLP-1 drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound, generating over $12 billion in quarterly sales. The company recently launched Foundayo, an oral GLP-1 pill, which could cannibalize Zepbound sales but is more likely to expand the patient base by attracting new GLP-1 users. While Lilly faces competition from Novo Nordisk and other pharma companies, analysts view Foundayo as a growth opportunity rather than a threat.

LLY NVO PFE VKTX GLP-1 drugs weight loss market Mounjaro Zepbound
Sentiment note

Biotech company developing weight loss candidates in clinical trials, representing emerging competition in the growing GLP-1 market, but at earlier development stage than established players.

Positive Benzinga • Piero Cingari
Stock Market Today: Oil Jumps 5%, S&P 500 Drops As Iran Strikes UAE Port

U.S. stocks fell Monday as an Iranian drone strike on a UAE oil facility sent Brent crude above $114 a barrel, raising inflation concerns and expectations of a potential Fed rate hike by March 2027. The S&P 500 dropped 0.5%, the Dow fell 1.0%, and the Nasdaq 100 declined 0.7%. Energy stocks rallied while transportation, logistics, and rate-sensitive sectors suffered significant losses. Defense stocks gained on Pentagon spending narratives, while software and crypto-related equities found strength.

FDX UPS GXO CHRW Iran drone strike oil prices S&P 500 Fed rate hike
Sentiment note

Climbed 6.1% as BTIG reiterated Buy rating with $125 price target on obesity program despite Q1 loss

Neutral The Motley Fool • Adria Cimino
Eli Lilly Just Announced Fantastic News for Shareholders

Eli Lilly announced strong growth in its weight loss drug portfolio, with Mounjaro revenue up 125% to $8.6B and Zepbound up 80% to $4.1B. The company's new oral weight loss drug Foundayo launched last month and has already reached 20,000 patients, with 80% being new to GLP-1 drugs. Foundayo offers advantages over competitors, including no food restrictions unlike Novo's oral Wegovy, positioning Lilly to continue gaining market share in the rapidly growing weight loss drug market.

LLY NVO PFE VKTX weight loss drugs GLP-1 drugs Mounjaro Zepbound
Sentiment note

Mentioned as a biotech company attempting to enter the weight loss drug market, but no specific developments or competitive threats detailed in the article.

News and sentiment labels describe article tone and are provided for research purposes only. They are not trading recommendations or forecasts.
Trade Ranks, LLC is not a registered investment adviser or broker-dealer. All rankings and AI reports are for informational and educational purposes only and are not personalized advice. Investing involves risk. Policy Portal