Mizuho's Jared Holz joins 'Fast Money' to talk Viking Therapeutics' massive stock drop on new obesity pill data.
Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) shares cratered nearly 45% Tuesday when the biopharma firm reported study of its experimental weight-loss pill raised concerns about side effects.
Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) shares tumbled 43% on Tuesday following the release of data from its Phase 2a Venture Oral weight loss trial showing strong efficacy but raised tolerability concerns. The study showed that participants taking VK-2735 achieved placebo-adjusted weight losses of approximately 7.5% at 60 mg, 10% at 90 mg, and 11% at 120 mg over 13 weeks.
Shares of Viking Therapeutics fell more than 30% on Tuesday after the company released mid-stage trial data on its obesity pill that disappointed investors. While the weight loss caused by Viking's pill was roughly comparable to that of other oral drugs, the side effects and discontinuation rates appeared to rattle Wall Street.
Viking Therapeutics on Tuesday announced that a trial showed its oral weight-loss drug works — and like a larger rival, its stock price immediately suffered.
Investors often turn to recommendations made by Wall Street analysts before making a Buy, Sell, or Hold decision about a stock. While media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm employed (or sell-side) analysts often affect a stock's price, do they really matter?
Viking Therapeutics' stock has outperformed the S&P 500 since its April lows, marking a solid turnaround. The company's dual-track approach (injectables and oral) for VK2735 positions it well against leaders Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, as recent results show solid progress. Strong liquidity position provides a reasonable cash runway through 2027, supporting R&D initiatives and upcoming key clinical data releases.
Shares of Viking slide after Q2 loss widens to 58 cents per share on rising R&D and nil revenues, missing estimates by 14 cents.
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VKTX ) Q2 2025 Earnings Conference Call July 23, 2025 4:30 PM ET Company Participants Brian Lian - President, CEO & Director Gregory Zante - Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants Stephanie Diaz - Vida Strategic Partners, Inc. Ryan Deschner - Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Research Division Joon Lee - Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division Mayank Mamtani - B. Riley Securities, Inc., Research Division Jay Olson - Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Research Division Hardik Parikh - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division Michael Ulz - Morgan Stanley, Research Division Steven Seedhouse - Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Research Division Jiale Song - Jefferies LLC, Research Division Biren Amin - Piper Sandler & Co., Research Division Tsan-Yu Hsieh - William Blair & Company L.L.C.
With no revenue expected, VKTX's Q2 report is likely to have the spotlight on pipeline moves across its obesity drugs.
The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price.
The latest trading day saw Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) settling at $32.07, representing a +1.39% change from its previous close.