144,557 Shares in Viking Therapeutics, Inc. $VKTX Bought by Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A.

Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. purchased a new position in Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VKTX) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 144,557 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,086,000. Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. owned 0.13% of Viking Therapeutics at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Viking Therapeutics during the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Viking Therapeutics by 58.0% in the 4th quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 945 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 347 shares during the period. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new stake in Viking Therapeutics in the 3rd quarter valued at about $38,000. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in Viking Therapeutics by 169.3% during the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,077 shares of the biotechnology company’s stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 677 shares during the period. Finally, Lodestone Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Viking Therapeutics during the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. 76.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Viking Therapeutics Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:VKTX opened at $29.44 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.42 billion, a P/E ratio of -7.11 and a beta of 0.72. The company’s 50-day moving average is $33.13 and its 200 day moving average is $33.70. Viking Therapeutics, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $22.96 and a fifty-two week high of $43.15.

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 29th. The biotechnology company reported ($1.37) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($1.01) by ($0.36). During the same period last year, the firm posted ($0.41) EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Viking Therapeutics, Inc. will post -4.67 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Neil William Aubuchon purchased 4,475 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 10th. The stock was bought at an average price of $33.50 per share, for a total transaction of $149,912.50. Following the purchase, the insider directly owned 4,475 shares in the company, valued at approximately $149,912.50. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 5.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have commented on VKTX. Cantor Fitzgerald reduced their price objective on Viking Therapeutics from $105.00 to $100.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Wolfe Research began coverage on Viking Therapeutics in a research report on Thursday, March 26th. They set a “peer perform” rating on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded Viking Therapeutics from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Morgan Stanley set a $95.00 price target on shares of Viking Therapeutics in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Truist Financial upgraded shares of Viking Therapeutics to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, April 27th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $95.50.

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.