Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIR) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIR) has received a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the nine research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $20.25.

Several brokerages have weighed in on VIR. Needham & Company LLC increased their target price on shares of Vir Biotechnology from $14.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 24th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Vir Biotechnology from $26.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 24th. Morgan Stanley set a $23.00 target price on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a research note on Friday. HC Wainwright increased their target price on shares of Vir Biotechnology from $15.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 4th. Finally, Leerink Partners reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $20.00 target price on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a research note on Thursday, February 26th.

Vir Biotechnology Stock Down 1.6%

Vir Biotechnology stock opened at $9.12 on Friday. Vir Biotechnology has a 52-week low of $4.16 and a 52-week high of $11.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.91 and a beta of 1.70. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $9.61 and a 200-day simple moving average of $7.56.

Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 6th. The company reported ($0.85) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.01) by ($0.84). Vir Biotechnology had a negative net margin of 638.88% and a negative return on equity of 53.31%. The firm had revenue of ($0.03) million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $55.49 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.88) EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Vir Biotechnology will post -1.96 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Verneuil Vanina De sold 13,700 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.82, for a total value of $134,534.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 112,982 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,109,483.24. This trade represents a 10.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Brent Sabatini sold 7,711 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.12, for a total transaction of $70,324.32. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 61,902 shares in the company, valued at approximately $564,546.24. This trade represents a 11.08% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 257,816 shares of company stock worth $2,377,698 in the last ninety days. 16.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vir Biotechnology

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 25.9% during the fourth quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 6,761 shares of the company’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 1,390 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its position in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 23.0% during the fourth quarter. CWM LLC now owns 8,804 shares of the company’s stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 1,646 shares during the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 7.8% during the fourth quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 23,525 shares of the company’s stock worth $142,000 after acquiring an additional 1,705 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers grew its position in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 1.0% during the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 228,949 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,154,000 after acquiring an additional 2,300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Corient Private Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 1.0% during the fourth quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 262,211 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,572,000 after acquiring an additional 2,515 shares during the last quarter. 65.32% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Vir Biotechnology Company Profile

Vir Biotechnology, Inc is a clinical‐stage immunology company dedicated to developing therapies that prevent and treat serious infectious diseases. The company leverages a suite of proprietary technology platforms—ranging from antibody isolation and screening tools to cell‐based assays and bioinformatics—to identify and advance antiviral and antibacterial candidates. Its scientific approach centers on harnessing the human immune system through monoclonal antibodies and immunomodulatory agents.

The company’s pipeline includes product candidates targeting influenza A, COVID‐19, HIV, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis.