Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR) Given “Buy” Rating at HC Wainwright

Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR)‘s stock had its “buy” rating reissued by equities researchers at HC Wainwright in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $22.00 price objective on the stock. HC Wainwright‘s price objective indicates a potential upside of 59.52% from the stock’s previous close.

Several other equities research analysts have also commented on the stock. Raymond James Financial restated a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a research note on Monday, September 28th. Needham & Company LLC boosted their price objective on Vir Biotechnology from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Morgan Stanley set a $25.00 price objective on Vir Biotechnology in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Vir Biotechnology from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $22.14.

Vir Biotechnology Stock Performance

Shares of Vir Biotechnology stock traded up $1.58 during trading on Monday, hitting $13.79. 4,470,511 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,371,724. Vir Biotechnology has a 12 month low of $5.22 and a 12 month high of $14.38. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $11.03 and its 200 day moving average is $9.61. The stock has a market cap of $2.36 billion, a PE ratio of -10.97 and a beta of 1.70.

Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 4th. The company reported ($0.57) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.75) by $0.18. The firm had revenue of ($0.19) million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $0.98 million. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 178.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned ($1.17) earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Vir Biotechnology will post -1.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Vir Biotechnology news, EVP Vanina de Verneuil sold 2,407 shares of Vir Biotechnology stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.10, for a total value of $26,717.70. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 110,193 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,223,142.30. The trade was a 2.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing 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. Insiders own 2.90% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vir Biotechnology

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. ACT Capital Partners L.P. bought a new stake in shares of Vir Biotechnology during the 3rd quarter worth $559,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 65.7% in the 3rd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 136,146 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,522,000 after acquiring an additional 53,987 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its holdings in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 10.1% in the 3rd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 29,064 shares of the company’s stock worth $325,000 after acquiring an additional 2,669 shares during the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System grew its holdings in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 58.5% in the 3rd quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 28,033 shares of the company’s stock worth $313,000 after acquiring an additional 10,346 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 4.1% during the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 55,135 shares of the company’s stock valued at $616,000 after purchasing an additional 2,164 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.32% of the company’s stock.

More Vir Biotechnology News

Here are the key news stories impacting Vir Biotechnology this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Vir said its pivotal Phase 3 ECLIPSE 1 trial of elebsiran and tobevibart met its primary endpoint. Reports also highlighted positive secondary-endpoint results, lifting expectations that the monthly treatment combination could become a meaningful option for people with chronic hepatitis delta. Vir Biotechnology Phase 3 ECLIPSE 1 announcement
• Positive Sentiment: Expanded Phase 2 SOLSTICE data showed deep, sustained viral suppression, with exploratory results also examining finite treatment. These findings reinforce the treatment’s potential beyond the Phase 3 headline. Vir Biotechnology expanded Phase 2 SOLSTICE data
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst coverage is also supportive: one report cited an average price target implying about 75.6% upside, while another noted a target increase to $20. Such targets are estimates, not guarantees, and depend on the drug’s development and commercial prospects. Zacks analyst price-target report
• Neutral Sentiment: The Phase 3 readout strengthens Vir’s path toward potential regulatory review, but trial success does not guarantee approval. Investors will look for detailed efficacy and safety data and updates on regulatory plans. Fierce Biotech report on Vir’s Phase 3 results

Vir Biotechnology Company Profile

Vir Biotechnology, Inc is a clinical-stage immunology company focused on developing medicines to prevent and treat serious infectious diseases and other immune-related conditions. The company uses antibody engineering, immunologic approaches and other technologies to identify and advance therapies designed to harness or modify the immune system.

Vir’s research and development programs have included treatments and vaccines for hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza and other infectious diseases.