Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) Issues Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.11 EPS

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The biotechnology company reported ($1.10) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($1.21) by $0.11, Zacks reports.

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

• VK2735’s VANQUISH Phase III trials remain on track and fully enrolled, with VANQUISH 1 studying obesity and VANQUISH 2 studying obesity with type 2 diabetes. The company expects the oral-tablet Phase III program to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.
• Viking expects results from its VK2735 maintenance-dosing study later this quarter, evaluating weekly, every-other-week, and monthly regimens. Management believes less-frequent dosing could support long-term weight maintenance and differentiate the product.
• The company expanded its obesity pipeline with VK3019, a dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist now in a Phase I single-ascending-dose trial. Viking is evaluating the program both as a standalone treatment and potentially in combination with VK2735, though combination development would likely begin no earlier than 2027.
• Higher clinical-development spending materially increased losses: second-quarter R&D expense rose to $115.8 million from $60.2 million, while net loss widened to $128.1 million, or $1.10 per share, from $65.6 million, or $0.58 per share.
• Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $502 million at June 30, down from $706 million at year-end 2025. Management said the balance sheet remains sufficient to fund current plans into 2028, with cash usage expected to taper as the major Phase III spending period eases.

Viking Therapeutics Stock Performance

NASDAQ:VKTX traded down $0.43 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $33.43. The stock had a trading volume of 2,896,343 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,632,690. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $34.02 and its 200 day simple moving average is $32.96. The stock has a market cap of $3.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.07 and a beta of 0.66. Viking Therapeutics has a twelve month low of $22.96 and a twelve month high of $43.15.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

VKTX has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Truist Financial began coverage on shares of Viking Therapeutics in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. They set a “buy” rating and a $83.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley set a $95.00 price target on Viking Therapeutics in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Viking Therapeutics in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Lake Street Capital started coverage on shares of Viking Therapeutics in a research note on Thursday, May 28th. They set a “buy” rating and a $89.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Zacks Research cut shares of Viking Therapeutics from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Monday, July 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $97.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Viking Therapeutics

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of VKTX. Quattro Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Viking Therapeutics in the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its holdings in shares of 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 increased its holdings in Viking Therapeutics by 16.7% in the 3rd quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise now owns 3,752 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $98,000 after purchasing an additional 536 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its position in Viking Therapeutics by 167.0% in the third quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 4,854 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $128,000 after purchasing an additional 3,036 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 5,263 shares during the last quarter. 76.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.