Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR) Stock Rating Upgraded by Zacks Research

Key Points

• Zacks Research upgraded Vir Biotechnology from “strong sell” to “hold.” Analysts’ overall consensus remains “Moderate Buy,” with a $22.14 average price target.
• Recent analyst moves were mixed but included higher targets: Needham raised its target to $20 and HC Wainwright to $22, both with Buy ratings.
• Vir reported a quarterly loss of $0.57 per share, better than estimates, but revenue was negative $0.19 million versus expectations of $0.98 million; the stock was down 6.4%.

Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR - Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at Zacks Research from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report issued on Wednesday, Zacks reports.

A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on the company. Needham & Company LLC raised their price target on Vir Biotechnology from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday. Raymond James Financial reiterated a "strong-buy" rating on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a report on Monday, September 28th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. HC Wainwright increased their target price on Vir Biotechnology from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $25.00 target price on Vir Biotechnology in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $22.14.

Vir Biotechnology Trading Down 6.4%

Shares of Vir Biotechnology stock opened at $11.02 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.86 billion, a PE ratio of -8.75 and a beta of 1.70. Vir Biotechnology has a 12 month low of $4.82 and a 12 month high of $12.19. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $11.01 and its 200 day simple moving average is $9.58.

Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 4th. The company reported ($0.57) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.75) by $0.18. The business had revenue of ($0.19) million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $0.98 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($1.17) earnings per share. The firm's revenue was down 178.3% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Vir Biotechnology will post -1.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Vanina de Verneuil sold 2,407 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.10, for a total value of $26,717.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 110,193 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,223,142.30. This represents a 2.14% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Insiders own 2.90% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Vir Biotechnology

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Fifth Third Bancorp increased its stake in Vir Biotechnology by 10.1% in the 3rd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 29,064 shares of the company's stock valued at $325,000 after buying an additional 2,669 shares during the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System lifted its position in Vir Biotechnology by 58.5% during the 3rd quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 28,033 shares of the company's stock worth $313,000 after buying an additional 10,346 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its stake in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 55,135 shares of the company's stock worth $616,000 after buying an additional 2,164 shares during the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund boosted its stake in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 28,468 shares of the company's stock worth $318,000 after buying an additional 900 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Vir Biotechnology during the 3rd quarter worth about $97,000. 65.32% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Vir Biotechnology News

Here are the key news stories impacting Vir Biotechnology this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Needham raised its price target to $20 from $18 and maintained a Buy rating, signaling a more bullish analyst view. Needham rating details
• Positive Sentiment: Vir said it expects to present topline Phase 3 ECLIPSE 1 results for elebsiran and tobevibart at AASLD’s 2026 liver meeting. The data could be an important catalyst for the company’s hepatitis delta program. AASLD presentation announcement
• Neutral Sentiment: Management expects its cash runway to extend into the second half of 2028, helping fund development, while the timing and outcome of upcoming clinical catalysts remain uncertain. Cash runway and trial timing
• Neutral Sentiment: An executive’s small stock sale was made under a pre-arranged plan to cover tax withholding on vested equity awards, making it a limited signal about the company’s outlook. Insider transaction details
• Negative Sentiment: Third-quarter revenue was negative $0.19 million, below the roughly $0.98 million expected and down 178.3% year over year. Although the loss of $0.57 per share was narrower than analysts’ estimates, the revenue miss may be overshadowing that earnings beat. Q3 results and corporate update

Vir Biotechnology Company Profile

Vir Biotechnology, Inc is a clinical-stage immunology company focused on developing medicines to prevent and treat serious infectious diseases and other immune-related conditions. The company uses antibody engineering, immunologic approaches and other technologies to identify and advance therapies designed to harness or modify the immune system.

Vir's research and development programs have included treatments and vaccines for hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza and other infectious diseases.

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