Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) Announces Earnings Results, Misses Estimates By $0.36 EPS

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) posted its quarterly earnings data 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 period in the previous year, the business posted ($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 Trading Down 0.5%

NASDAQ:VKTX traded down $0.15 on Thursday, hitting $31.18. 6,504,376 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,843,888. Viking Therapeutics has a 1 year low of $22.96 and a 1 year high of $43.15. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $33.63 and a 200-day moving average price of $34.03. The company has a market cap of $3.61 billion, a PE ratio of -9.81 and a beta of 0.83.

Key Headlines Impacting Viking Therapeutics

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

• Positive Sentiment: VANQUISH Phase 3 program fully enrolled and oral Phase 3 planned — VANQUISH‑1 and VANQUISH‑2 for subcutaneous VK2735 are fully enrolled, and Viking expects to initiate a Phase 3 oral VK2735 trial in 4Q26, keeping the company on-track toward pivotal data. Viking Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update
• Positive Sentiment: Strong cash runway — Viking reported ~$603M in cash at quarter end, which should fund ongoing Phase 3 and early‑stage programs and reduce near‑term financing pressure. Viking Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update
• Positive Sentiment: Pipeline expansion — Viking filed an IND for amylin agonist VK3019 with Phase 1 expected in 2Q26, diversifying its metabolic program beyond VK2735. Viking Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update
• Neutral Sentiment: Q1 call/transcript available — Management discussed increased R&D investment and program timelines on the earnings call; the transcript and highlights provide detail but no new catalysts beyond guidance on study readouts. Viking Therapeutics Inc (VKTX) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights
• Neutral Sentiment: Maintenance study is a potential short‑term catalyst — Analysts note a Q3 2026 maintenance‑dosing study readout could be a wildcard that, if positive, would materially de‑risk the program and improve funding optionality. Viking Therapeutics Earnings: Q3 Maintenance Study Data A Potential Wildcard
• Negative Sentiment: Earnings miss and higher R&D spend pressured the stock — Q1 EPS of ($1.37) missed consensus (~($1.01)) and the net loss widened as R&D rose to support Phase 3 activity, which investors penalized given limited near‑term revenue prospects. VKTX Q1 Earnings Miss on Higher Phase 3 Development Costs
• Negative Sentiment: Near‑term catalyst gap and competitive pressure — Key pivotal readouts for VK2735 aren’t expected until late 2027/early 2028, and analysts warn VKTX lags larger GLP‑1/GIP competitors, limiting immediate upside and extending risk exposure. Viking Therapeutics Earnings: Q3 Maintenance Study Data A Potential Wildcard

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VKTX has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald cut their price objective on Viking Therapeutics from $105.00 to $100.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Viking Therapeutics in a report on Monday, April 20th. Truist Financial upgraded Viking Therapeutics to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday. HC Wainwright restated a “buy” rating and set a $102.00 price objective on shares of Viking Therapeutics in a report on Monday, March 23rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $95.00 price objective on Viking Therapeutics in a report on Thursday. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $95.50.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Viking Therapeutics news, insider Neil William Aubuchon bought 4,475 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 10th. The shares were bought at an average price of $33.50 per share, with a total value of $149,912.50. Following the purchase, the insider directly owned 4,475 shares in the company, valued at $149,912.50. The trade was a ∞ increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 5.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Viking Therapeutics

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its stake in Viking Therapeutics by 41.8% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 2,092,840 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $55,000,000 after acquiring an additional 616,526 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP grew its stake in Viking Therapeutics by 58.7% during the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 2,085,487 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $54,807,000 after acquiring an additional 771,704 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. grew its stake in Viking Therapeutics by 16.1% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 954,272 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $25,078,000 after acquiring an additional 131,994 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in Viking Therapeutics by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 700,295 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $24,636,000 after acquiring an additional 2,587 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC grew its stake in Viking Therapeutics by 6,315.6% during the 2nd quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 596,650 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $15,811,000 after acquiring an additional 587,350 shares in 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.