Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) Given Consensus Rating of “Reduce” by Analysts

Shares of Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) have received a consensus recommendation of “Reduce” from the eighteen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eleven have given a hold recommendation and two have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $36.60.

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on MRNA shares. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on Moderna from $63.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on Moderna from $35.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Bank of America boosted their target price on Moderna from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research note on Monday, June 8th. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating on shares of Moderna in a research note on Tuesday, May 26th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $33.00 target price on Moderna in a research note on Friday, May 1st.

Trending Headlines about Moderna

Here are the key news stories impacting Moderna this week:

• Positive Sentiment: FDA advisers unanimously backed Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine, boosting confidence that the shot could win approval and become a new revenue driver if the agency follows the panel’s recommendation. Article: MRNA Up as Influenza Vaccine Wins Unanimous FDA Advisory Panel Backing
• Positive Sentiment: Investor sentiment was also helped by reports that Moderna’s shares have been surging on the flu-vaccine catalyst, with some traders positioning for further upside ahead of the FDA’s final ruling. Article: US FDA advisers vote in favor of Moderna’s flu vaccine
• Positive Sentiment: Unusually heavy call-option buying signals that some investors are betting the rally can continue as the FDA review progresses. Article: Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) – Get Free Report
• Neutral Sentiment: Moderna’s president sold shares under a pre-arranged trading plan, which is worth noting but does not necessarily indicate a change in the company’s outlook. Article: Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) President Sells $2,739,870.32 in Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: The stock may stay volatile until the FDA makes its final decision on the flu vaccine by Aug. 5. Article: Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine faces FDA advisory panel scrutiny

Moderna Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MRNA opened at $63.96 on Tuesday. Moderna has a twelve month low of $22.28 and a twelve month high of $67.74. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $50.56 and its 200-day moving average price is $45.23. The company has a market capitalization of $25.38 billion, a PE ratio of -7.85 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a quick ratio of 2.35, a current ratio of 2.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08.

Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) last announced its earnings results on Friday, May 1st. The company reported ($3.40) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($3.02) by ($0.38). Moderna had a negative return on equity of 26.64% and a negative net margin of 143.55%.The business had revenue of $389.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $236.37 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned ($2.52) EPS. Moderna’s quarterly revenue was up 260.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Moderna will post -6.51 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Moderna

In related news, insider Shannon Thyme Klinger sold 3,471 shares of Moderna stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total value of $173,550.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 67,468 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,373,400. The trade was a 4.89% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, Director Abbas Hussain sold 5,682 shares of Moderna stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.63, for a total transaction of $264,951.66. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 12,066 shares in the company, valued at $562,637.58. This trade represents a 32.01% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 125,088 shares of company stock worth $6,193,713. Company insiders own 10.80% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Moderna

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. MUFG Securities EMEA plc bought a new stake in shares of Moderna in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Moderna in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Canton Hathaway LLC bought a new stake in shares of Moderna in the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Moderna by 3,775.0% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 1,240 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,208 shares during the period. Finally, Cromwell Holdings LLC raised its holdings in shares of Moderna by 39.7% in the 4th quarter. Cromwell Holdings LLC now owns 1,200 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 341 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 75.33% of the company’s stock.

About Moderna

Moderna, Inc is a biotechnology company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines. The company’s platform leverages synthetic mRNA to instruct cells to produce proteins that can prevent or treat diseases. Since its founding in 2010, Moderna has advanced from early-stage research into a broad pipeline of vaccine and therapeutic candidates designed to address infectious diseases, rare genetic disorders and chronic illnesses.

Moderna’s flagship product is its mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, which was the first of its kind to receive emergency use authorization and later full approval in multiple jurisdictions.