Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) Posts Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.11 EPS

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) released its quarterly earnings results 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

VKTX traded down $0.43 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $33.43. The stock had a trading volume of 2,896,403 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,632,730. The company has a market capitalization of $3.88 billion, a PE 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. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $34.02 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $32.96.

Key Headlines Impacting Viking Therapeutics

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

• Positive Sentiment: Viking reported a quarterly loss of $1.10 per share, better than the $1.21 consensus estimate. The earnings beat may provide some support by indicating tighter-than-expected cost management. Viking Therapeutics earnings report
• Positive Sentiment: The company said its Phase 3 VANQUISH 1 and 2 trials of injectable VK2735 for obesity are fully enrolled and progressing. It expects to begin an oral Phase 3 VK2735 trial in the fourth quarter of 2026 and report maintenance-dosing data in the third quarter, giving investors several potential catalysts. Viking Therapeutics corporate update
• Positive Sentiment: Viking ended the quarter with approximately $502 million in cash, providing substantial funding for its obesity and metabolic-disease programs. It also said a Phase 1 study of amylin agonist VK3019 is underway, broadening its pipeline. Viking Therapeutics second-quarter results
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent analyst-focused articles generally presented a bullish view of VKTX and characterized the stock as a high-risk, high-reward opportunity. However, these articles largely reflect existing analyst opinions rather than new company developments, so their immediate effect may be limited. Wall Street bull case for Viking Therapeutics
• Negative Sentiment: Despite the earnings beat, Viking remains unprofitable, and its results do not yet represent commercial product revenue. The investment case continues to depend heavily on successful clinical trials, regulatory progress, and eventual commercialization of VK2735, leaving the stock exposed to clinical and execution risk.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VKTX has been the topic of several research reports. BTIG Research restated a “buy” rating and set a $125.00 price target on shares of Viking Therapeutics in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Truist Financial began coverage on shares of Viking Therapeutics in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $83.00 price objective for the company. Lake Street Capital began coverage on shares of Viking Therapeutics in a report on Thursday, May 28th. They set a “buy” rating and a $89.00 target price on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald cut their target price on shares of Viking Therapeutics from $105.00 to $100.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $95.00 price target on shares of Viking Therapeutics in a report on Thursday, April 30th. One equities research 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 given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Viking Therapeutics presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $97.00.

Institutional Trading of Viking Therapeutics

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Quattro Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Viking Therapeutics in the fourth quarter worth about $37,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its holdings in Viking Therapeutics by 29.5% in the 2nd 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 during the period. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise raised its position in Viking Therapeutics by 16.7% during the 3rd quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise now owns 3,752 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $98,000 after buying an additional 536 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Viking Therapeutics by 167.0% during the 3rd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 4,854 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $128,000 after acquiring an additional 3,036 shares during the period. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in shares of Viking Therapeutics by 307.6% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 6,974 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $185,000 after acquiring an additional 5,263 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.03% of the company’s stock.

Viking Therapeutics Company Profile

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.