Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The biotechnology company reported ($1.37) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($1.01) by ($0.36), FiscalAI reports. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned ($0.41) earnings per share.

Here are the key takeaways from Viking Therapeutics’ conference call:

• VANQUISH Phase III enrollment complete — both subcutaneous VK2735 trials are fully enrolled (~4,500 in VANQUISH?1; ~1,000 in VANQUISH?2), have introduced an auto?injector, and remain on track toward the 78?week primary endpoints (company?reported).
• Oral VK2735 advanced to Phase III — after End?of?Phase?2 feedback and positive phase II oral data (up to ~12.2% mean weight loss), Viking plans to initiate oral Phase III in Q4 2026, positioning an oral dual GLP?1/GIP agent in the market.
• Maintenance dosing study expanded and accelerated — the subcutaneous maintenance cohorts were increased from 4 to 8, enrollment completed rapidly, and Viking expects subQ maintenance data in Q3 2026 to inform multiple maintenance arms in the VANQUISH extensions (company aims for less?frequent dosing options).
• Material increase in expenses and cash burn — Q1 R&D jumped to $115.2M (vs $41.4M) driving a net loss of $158.3M ($1.37/share) and cash of ~$603M at quarter end (down from $706M); management says cash runway extends into 2028 but Q1 spending exceeded prior expectations.
• VK3019 amylin program moving to clinic — an IND was filed for the amylin agonist VK3019 with Phase I (SAD/MAD) expected to start later this quarter, adding a potential complementary mechanism to Viking’s obesity franchise.

Viking Therapeutics Stock Down 0.5%

NASDAQ VKTX opened at $31.18 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $3.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.53 and a beta of 0.83. Viking Therapeutics has a 52 week low of $22.96 and a 52 week high of $43.15. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $33.63 and a 200-day moving average price of $34.01.

More Viking Therapeutics News

Here are the key news stories impacting Viking Therapeutics this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Pipeline progress: Viking says its Phase 3 VANQUISH?1 and VANQUISH?2 trials for subcutaneous VK2735 are fully enrolled, an oral Phase 3 trial is expected to start in 4Q26, and an IND for amylin agonist VK3019 was filed (Phase 1 expected 2Q26). Company also reported a strong quarter?end cash position of about $603M — supports ongoing development. Viking Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
• Positive Sentiment: Bullish interest persists from analysts/retail: recent commentary highlights VK2735 as a high?upside asset given enrollment completion and potential future market opportunity in obesity despite competition. What is Driving a Strong Bullish Sentiment Towards Viking Therapeutics (VKTX)
• Neutral Sentiment: Near?term wildcard: a VK2735 maintenance?dosing study has data expected in 3Q26 — a positive surprise there could materially re?rate the stock, but the company’s pivotal readouts aren’t expected until late?2027/early?2028. Viking Therapeutics Earnings: Q3 Maintenance Study Data A Potential Wildcard
• Negative Sentiment: Earnings miss and higher R&D costs: Viking reported Q1 EPS of ($1.37), missing estimates as R&D spending climbed to support Phase?3 obesity work, widening the quarterly loss and weighing on sentiment. VKTX Q1 Earnings Miss on Higher Phase 3 Development Costs
• Negative Sentiment: After?hours selling and retail reaction: headlines noted shares fell after hours on the larger Q1 loss even as some retail investors focus on obesity pipeline launches — increased volatility and heavier trading volume followed. VKTX shares drop after hours on larger Q1 losses
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive pressure: press coverage of an unexpected competing weight?loss candidate outperforming in early animal tests highlights intensifying competition in the GLP?1/obesity space, a long?term headwind for VK2735’s market opportunity. VKTX stock slips premarket: A surprise weight loss drug beats Novo Nordisk

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have issued reports on VKTX. 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. Truist Financial raised Viking Therapeutics to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday. 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. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Viking Therapeutics in a report on Monday, April 20th. Finally, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Viking Therapeutics in a report on Thursday, March 26th. They set a “peer perform” rating for the company. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $95.50.

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 institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of VKTX. Quattro Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Viking Therapeutics during the fourth quarter worth $37,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its holdings in 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 worth $56,000 after buying an additional 481 shares in the last quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise grew its holdings in Viking Therapeutics by 16.7% during the third quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise now owns 3,752 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $98,000 after buying an additional 536 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Viking Therapeutics by 167.0% during the third quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 4,854 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $128,000 after buying an additional 3,036 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in Viking Therapeutics by 307.6% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 6,974 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $185,000 after buying an additional 5,263 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.