Viking Therapeutics Stock: Navigating a Prolonged Downturn

Viking Therapeutics shares continue to face significant downward momentum amid persistent selling activity. Despite the company’s advanced clinical development programs, its stock performance throughout the past year reveals a pronounced decline, placing investors in a challenging decision-making position.

Annual Performance Reveals Substantial Decline

The broader perspective highlights the severity of the current situation: Viking Therapeutics stock has declined by a substantial 44% over twelve months, surrendering all gains achieved following earlier positive clinical trial results. The equity now trades considerably below its 52-week peak of $81.73. Previous market enthusiasm has been replaced by cautious risk assessment.

Clinical Pipeline Analysis

Viking’s valuation remains entirely dependent on its drug candidates targeting the lucrative obesity treatment market. The company is advancing both injectable and oral formulations of VK2735:

• Injectable VK2735: Currently in Phase 3 trials, with Phase 2 data demonstrating up to 14.7% weight reduction
• Oral VK2735: Phase 2 study completed, showing up to 12.2% weight loss

However, despite these developmental milestones, clinical data from August 2025 has generated investor skepticism due to reported side effects and study discontinuation rates.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Viking Therapeutics?

Monday’s Trading Shows Underlying Weakness

During the previous trading session, the stock recorded a minimal 1% gain, closing at $33.91. This apparent upward movement proves misleading when examining volume data, which fell 28% below the daily average. The weak demand indicates insufficient conviction behind the price movement, failing to signal a genuine trend reversal.

Acquisition Speculation Adds Volatility

The biotechnology sector, particularly companies focused on weight loss treatments, is experiencing heightened merger and acquisition activity. Transactions like Novo Nordisk’s planned acquisition of Akero Therapeutics have fueled market speculation: Could Viking become the next takeover target? These rumors contribute additional price volatility, transforming the stock into a speculative instrument.

Divided Analyst Sentiment

While the consensus rating stands at “Moderate Buy” with a price target of $86.42, recent adjustments reveal conflicting viewpoints. Raymond James reduced its target from $125 to $122 while maintaining a “Strong Buy” recommendation. Conversely, Weiss Ratings downgraded the stock to “Sell” in early October. This analytical divide underscores the profound uncertainty surrounding the company’s prospects, leaving investors questioning which guidance to trust.