Viking Therapeutics stock fell 3.07 percent as oral trial starts

Published on 10/07/2026 at 05:11 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Viking Therapeutics stock began oral VK2735 maintenance testing on October 6, 2026. Q2 loss reached USD 1.10 per share against a USD 1.21 consensus loss.

VKTX, US92686J1060, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Viking Therapeutics stock (ISIN US92686J1060) was last at USD 28.38 on Nasdaq on October 6, 2026, down 3.07 percent from the previous close. The company had just started a new oral maintenance study for its obesity candidate VK2735, giving the market a fresh clinical checkpoint.

Oral VK2735 study begins

According to Viking Therapeutics on October 6, 2026, the company initiated the second part of a maintenance study evaluating daily and weekly oral VK2735 dosing alongside monthly and every-other-week subcutaneous regimens.

The trial follows a 21-week weekly induction phase and will assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and weight change through Week 33. The company said results from Part 2 are planned for 2027, while the VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 Phase 3 studies continue with approximately 4,500 and 1,000 participants, respectively.

Losses remain central to valuation

Viking reported a Q2 2026 net loss of USD 128.0 million, or USD 1.10 per diluted share, according to StockTitan in its July 29, 2026 filing summary. The loss per share was better than the USD 1.21 consensus estimate, a USD 0.11 difference, while the company remained focused on advancing its clinical pipeline.

Research and development expense reached USD 115.8 million in Q2 2026, and cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments stood at USD 502.0 million on June 30, 2026. That funding supports the Phase 3 obesity program, but the quarterly loss shows why clinical execution and financing remain important valuation drivers.

The September financing adds another counter-factor. Viking completed offerings that generated approximately USD 547.8 million in net proceeds, according to Viking Therapeutics on September 28, 2026. The capital strengthens development capacity but also expands the share and debt base.

Analyst targets stay elevated

The consensus picture remains far above the market price. StockAnalysis lists a Strong Buy consensus from 20 analysts, with an average 12-month target of USD 94.82 and a 234.11 percent premium to the quoted price.

Individual views are wide. Yahoo Finance reports that Truist Securities maintained a Buy rating and raised its target from USD 83.00 to USD 87.00 on September 23, 2026, while the consensus range runs from USD 38.00 to USD 125.00.

VKTX remains below its yearly high

VKTX was last at USD 28.38 on Nasdaq on October 6, 2026, compared with a 52-week range of USD 25.77 to USD 43.15. Its market capitalization was USD 3.3 billion and volume reached 7,100,854 shares, placing the stock 34.23 percent below its yearly high.