VKTX

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) declined 5.48% on October 23, 2026, underperforming the S&P 500's 0.52% loss. The stock has fallen 29.71% over the past month, significantly trailing the Medical sector's 3.23% gain. The company faces negative earnings projections with an expected EPS of -$1 for the upcoming quarter and -$4.46 for the full year, though it maintains a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) rating.

The article compares Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) as investment opportunities in the growing obesity-treatment market projected to reach $114 billion by 2030. NVO has established products like Wegovy and Ozempic but faces intensifying competition from Eli Lilly's tirzepatide drugs.

VKTX, a clinical-stage biotech, is advancing VK2735 in phase III studies with promising maintenance data showing 90% weight-loss retention with biweekly dosing. While NVO offers stability with declining earnings, VKTX presents higher-risk, higher-reward potential with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) versus NVO's #3 (Hold).

Viking Therapeutics is advancing its weight-loss drug candidates, particularly SC VK2735, through Phase 3 trials with promising clinical results. Under a bullish scenario with $1 billion in 2031 revenue, a $1,000 investment could grow to approximately $1,875 by 2031 (13.4% annualized returns). However, significant risks exist including potential Phase 3 trial failures, increased competition, market growth uncertainties, and potential dilutive financing needs.

Four biotech companies with advanced drug pipelines present potential investment opportunities as their experimental treatments progress through late-stage development and regulatory review. BridgeBio Pharma has three drug candidates under FDA review with decisions expected through May 2027.

Intellia Therapeutics' gene-editing therapy lonvo-z showed 87% reduction in hereditary angioedema attacks. Biogen expects pivotal study results through 2027, while Viking Therapeutics advances obesity treatments in phase III trials. Success depends on regulatory approvals, clinical efficacy, and competitive market positioning.

Viking Therapeutics raised $575 million through a stock offering and convertible notes to fund multiple phase 3 trials for its obesity drug VK2735 and pipeline development. The company expects to have cash through at least 2028, with key trial results expected between 2027-2028. The company's future depends on VK2735's clinical success.

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) declined 8.26% on October 16, 2026, significantly underperforming the S&P 500's 1.09% loss. The stock has fallen 6.78% over the past month, lagging the Medical sector's 2.68% gain. The company faces negative earnings forecasts with an expected EPS of -$1 for the upcoming quarter and -$4.46 for the full year, though it maintains a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) rating.

Over 200 companies are advancing next-generation obesity therapies, with more than 30 drugs in late-stage development and 180+ in mid and early stages. Key players include Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Viking Therapeutics, and Roche, developing innovative mechanisms like dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists and triple hormone receptor agonists. Recent approvals include Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy formulation and Eli Lilly's orforglipron, while multiple Phase III trials show promising weight loss results.

Viking Therapeutics announced the initiation of the SUNRISE phase III program to evaluate its oral VK2735 formulation for obesity treatment. The program consists of two studies targeting 560 adults each, with and without type 2 diabetes.

Phase II results showed up to 12.2% mean weight loss at the highest dose versus 1.3% with placebo. Despite positive developments, VKTX stock declined 4.4% on the announcement day and is down 27.6% year-to-date.

The article highlights four high-risk, high-reward stocks: Agios Pharmaceuticals awaiting FDA approval for mitapivat to treat sickle cell disease; Navitas Semiconductor pivoting toward AI data centers and high-power chips; Joby Aviation developing eVTOL transportation services with autonomous capabilities; and Viking Therapeutics developing obesity drug VK2735 with potential in a multi-billion dollar market. All require patience but offer significant upside if their respective catalysts materialize.

Oppenheimer analyst Jay Olson raised his price target on Viking Therapeutics to $120 from $100, implying a potential quadrupling from the current $28.50 price. The bullish call is based on positive maintenance trial data for VK2735, a GLP-1 and GIP agonist drug, which increased the probability of success from 80% to 90%. Wall Street consensus projects VK2735 could generate $1.5 billion in 2030 sales rising to $6.5 billion by 2035, potentially capturing market share from Eli Lilly's tirzepatide, which is expected to reach $80 billion in total sales by 2030.

Viking Therapeutics is advancing its oral weight-loss drug VK2735 to Phase 3 trials, showing 12.2% weight loss in Phase 2 testing. However, the company faces significant competitive challenges from established players like Eli Lilly's Foundayo, which demonstrated better tolerability with lower discontinuation rates. While Viking's injectable formulation shows promise with potential monthly dosing differentiation, the biotech will struggle to gain market traction in an increasingly crowded obesity drug market dominated by incumbents.

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) closed at $28.53, up 2.88% and outperforming the S&P 500's 0.6% gain. However, the stock has declined 13.69% over the past month.

The company is expected to report an EPS of -$1 (down 23.46% YoY) with annual earnings projected at -$4.46 per share and zero revenue. Despite negative earnings outlook, VKTX holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) rating with a slight 0.16% upward revision in consensus EPS projections over the past 30 days.

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) declined 2.84% to $27.73, underperforming the S&P 500's 0.47% loss. The stock has fallen 12.72% over the past month, significantly trailing the Medical sector's 3.97% decline.

The company is projected to report negative earnings of -$1 per share with a 23.46% year-over-year decline, and annual estimates show -$4.47 EPS with zero revenue. Despite these challenges, VKTX maintains a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) rating with no recent changes to consensus estimates.

Viking Therapeutics initiated a clinical study testing oral and injectable maintenance dosing regimens for VK2735, its lead obesity candidate. Earlier results showed every-other-week and monthly dosing retained approximately 90% and 85% of prior weight loss respectively. The company plans to start late-stage oral studies by year-end, though it faces intense competition from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk's established obesity treatments.

Eli Lilly, the only healthcare stock in the trillion-dollar club, has rallied 400% over five years driven by its successful GLP-1 drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound. However, with a valuation of 40x trailing earnings and slowing growth prospects, the stock faces significant headwinds from intensifying competition in the GLP-1 market from companies like Pfizer and Viking Therapeutics. The author suggests the stock may have more downside risk than upside potential at current valuations.

The article recommends four stocks for October investment: Viking Therapeutics for its unique monthly-dose GLP-1 weight loss drug candidate in a market expected to reach $200 billion by 2030; Alphabet for its dominant position in cloud computing AI services with 82% YoY growth and gaining market share; SoFi Technologies for strong revenue growth (40% YoY) and customer expansion despite recent setbacks; and MercadoLibre for its Amazon-like growth trajectory in Latin America with 50% YoY revenue growth despite margin pressures from free shipping initiatives.

Viking Therapeutics' weight loss drug VK2735 shows strong clinical promise with potential for dual-formulation therapy (injectable followed by oral maintenance). The company raised $500 million to fund pipeline development. With the obesity drug market projected to reach $77 billion by 2030, even a small 1.4% market share could generate $1.2 billion in revenue for Viking's $4 billion market cap, suggesting significant upside potential, though clinical trial risks remain.

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) stock declined 6.41% on October 1, 2026, underperforming the broader market which gained 0.2%. The company is expected to report negative EPS of -$1 for the upcoming quarter, down 23.46% year-over-year, with full-year earnings forecasted at -$4.47 per share. Despite the losses, VKTX maintains a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) rating, though its industry ranks in the bottom 27% of all sectors.

Viking Therapeutics released impressive clinical trial results for its weight-loss drug VK2735, showing 16-19% body weight loss and strong maintenance results. However, Eli Lilly's stock barely moved because the company has its own robust maintenance strategies (Foundayo and dose reduction approaches) and a deeper pipeline. While Viking could become a competitor in the growing weight-loss market, it still needs to confirm results in larger Phase 3 trials, and Eli Lilly remains the safer, more established choice.

Viking Therapeutics' GLP-1 drug VK2735 showed promising clinical trial results with 16-19% weight loss and strong maintenance rates, causing the stock to surge. While riskier than Eli Lilly due to its smaller $4.1B market cap and lack of approved drugs, Viking could offer significant upside potential through drug approval or acquisition by a larger healthcare company.