Vaxcyte (NASDAQ:PCVX) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume on Analyst Upgrade

Vaxcyte, Inc. (NASDAQ:PCVX) saw strong trading volume on Tuesday after Needham & Company LLC raised their price target on the stock from $110.00 to $122.00. Needham & Company LLC currently has a buy rating on the stock. Approximately 1,142,393 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 21% from the previous session’s volume of 1,454,975 shares. The stock last traded at $65.3120 and had previously closed at $73.82.

Several other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded Vaxcyte from a “strong sell” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, August 8th. Guggenheim increased their target price on Vaxcyte from $116.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday. Zacks Research raised shares of Vaxcyte from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 12th. Bank of America dropped their price target on shares of Vaxcyte from $133.00 to $130.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Vaxcyte in a report on Friday. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Vaxcyte has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $108.60.

Insider Transactions at Vaxcyte

In other news, EVP Jim Wassil sold 2,250 shares of Vaxcyte stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.67, for a total value of $127,507.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 145,435 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,241,801.45. This trade represents a 1.52% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Harpreet S. Dhaliwal sold 17,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.00, for a total value of $935,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 76,756 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,221,580. This trade represents a 18.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold 55,890 shares of company stock valued at $3,111,189 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 3.30% of the company’s stock.

More Vaxcyte News

Here are the key news stories impacting Vaxcyte this week:

• Positive Sentiment: VAX-31 met all prespecified primary endpoints. In the pivotal OPUS-1 Phase 3 trial, VAX-31 produced immune responses comparable to Prevnar 20 and/or Capvaxive across the studied age groups. The results strengthen the candidate’s prospects in the adult pneumococcal vaccine market. Vaxcyte Reports Positive Topline Data
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts viewed the readout as potentially supporting competition with Pfizer’s Prevnar 20 and Merck’s Capvaxive in a market estimated by Jefferies at $3 billion to $6 billion or more. Needham raised its price target to $122 from $110 while maintaining a Buy rating, and BTIG reaffirmed Buy with an $89 target. Needham Raises Price Target
• Neutral Sentiment: Seeking Alpha characterized Vaxcyte as a “Strong Buy,” citing the VAX-31 trial success, potential invasive pneumococcal disease data, and additional clinical readouts expected in the first half of 2027. These remain forward-looking catalysts rather than near-term revenue.
• Neutral Sentiment: Options activity was elevated, including heavier-than-usual put buying and moderately higher call volume. This indicates increased trading interest and potential hedging, but does not establish a definitive directional outlook.
• Negative Sentiment: Vaxcyte launched separate offerings for approximately $500 million of common stock and pre-funded warrants and $500 million of convertible senior notes due 2032, with possible over-allotments. The equity issuance could dilute existing shareholders, while the debt offering adds financing complexity. The announcement overshadowed the clinical milestone and drove the stock lower after its initial rally. Vaxcyte Financing Announcement

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vaxcyte

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First Light Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Vaxcyte by 143.4% during the second quarter. First Light Asset Management LLC now owns 345,157 shares of the company’s stock worth $20,064,000 after purchasing an additional 203,373 shares during the period. Engineers Gate Manager LP bought a new position in shares of Vaxcyte in the 2nd quarter worth about $1,906,000. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in shares of Vaxcyte by 72.8% in the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 560 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System grew its position in shares of Vaxcyte by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 33,755 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,962,000 after buying an additional 1,394 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nykredit A S bought a new stake in shares of Vaxcyte during the 2nd quarter valued at about $280,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.78% of the company’s stock.

Vaxcyte Stock Down 9.6%

The stock has a market cap of $9.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.74 and a beta of 1.23. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $59.28 and its two-hundred day moving average is $56.40.

Vaxcyte (NASDAQ:PCVX) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The company reported ($1.97) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($2.06) by $0.09. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted ($1.22) earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Vaxcyte, Inc. will post -8.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vaxcyte Company Profile

Vaxcyte, Inc (NASDAQ: PCVX) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing vaccines to help prevent serious bacterial infections. The company uses its cell-free protein synthesis and advanced conjugation technologies to design vaccines intended to provide broad and durable protection while addressing limitations of existing vaccine products.

Vaxcyte’s lead programs are pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidates, including VAX-24 and VAX-31, which are designed to target a broad range of pneumococcal serotypes.