5,814 Shares in Moderna, Inc. $MRNA Acquired by Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI

Key Points

• Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI acquired 5,814 Moderna shares worth approximately $407,000 in the second quarter, while institutional investors collectively own 75.33% of the stock.
• Moderna shares have surged 177% to about $174, fueled by positive Phase 3 melanoma-trial results for its personalized mRNA cancer vaccine, FDA approval of its seasonal flu vaccine, and more favorable analyst sentiment.
• Despite stronger-than-expected quarterly revenue and EPS, Moderna remains unprofitable, with analysts maintaining a consensus “Hold” rating; the sharp rally also increases valuation and execution risks if detailed trial data or regulatory progress disappoints.

Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI bought a new position in Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 5,814 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $407,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Allied Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Moderna in the second quarter worth $30,000. Canton Hathaway LLC bought a new stake in shares of Moderna during the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Assetmark Inc. grew its stake in shares of Moderna by 35.1% during the 1st quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 801 shares of the company's stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the period. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in shares of Moderna during the 2nd quarter valued at about $61,000. Finally, MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new stake in shares of Moderna during the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. 75.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Moderna Stock Up 177.0%

Shares of MRNA stock opened at $174.38 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 2.29 and a quick ratio of 2.18. Moderna, Inc. has a one year low of $22.28 and a one year high of $176.66. The company's fifty day moving average price is $64.91 and its 200-day moving average price is $54.84. The company has a market capitalization of $69.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -21.82 and a beta of 0.91.

Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The company reported ($1.97) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($2.03) by $0.06. The company had revenue of $145.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $102.93 million. Moderna had a negative net margin of 141.43% and a negative return on equity of 28.30%. Moderna's quarterly revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted ($2.13) EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Moderna, Inc. will post -6.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, President Stephen Hoge sold 53,336 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.37, for a total value of $2,739,870.32. Following the completion of the transaction, the president owned 1,483,848 shares of the company's stock, valued at $76,225,271.76. This represents a 3.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Shannon Thyme Klinger sold 3,471 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total value of $173,550.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 67,468 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,373,400. This represents a 4.89% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 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. 10.80% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Key Stories Impacting Moderna

Here are the key news stories impacting Moderna this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Phase 3 melanoma trial met both key endpoints. Intismeran, Moderna’s individualized mRNA neoantigen therapy, combined with Merck’s Keytruda, significantly improved recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival versus Keytruda alone in patients with resected, high-risk melanoma. The companies described the results as the first positive late-stage trial for a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine. Merck and Moderna Phase 3 trial announcement
• Positive Sentiment: The results support a broader cancer-treatment opportunity. Analysts and medical commentators said the outcome could validate Moderna’s mRNA platform for treating cancer and potentially open development opportunities across additional tumor types. The vaccine is tailored to mutations in an individual patient’s tumor, offering a potentially differentiated approach to personalized oncology. Moderna and Merck cancer vaccine breakthrough
• Positive Sentiment: Additional developments added to the bullish sentiment. The FDA approved Moderna’s first mRNA-based seasonal influenza vaccine, mFLUSIVA, while William Blair upgraded the stock to “outperform” and Bank of America moved its rating from “underperform” to “neutral.” FDA approval of Moderna mFLUSIVA
• Neutral Sentiment: Investors are awaiting detailed trial data. Moderna and Merck released topline results, but analysts said full efficacy, safety and durability data will be important for assessing regulatory timing and the vaccine’s commercial potential.
• Negative Sentiment: The sharp rally raises execution and valuation risks. The move triggered substantial losses for short sellers and increased options activity, while the stock now reflects much higher expectations for successful approval, manufacturing and adoption. Any disappointing detailed data or regulatory delays could lead to volatility.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. UBS Group reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of Moderna in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a "sector perform" rating and set a $130.00 price objective on shares of Moderna in a research report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley restated a "neutral" rating on shares of Moderna in a research note on Wednesday. Loop Capital set a $135.00 target price on Moderna in a report on Wednesday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $120.00 target price on shares of Moderna in a research report on Wednesday. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $56.56.

Moderna Profile

Moderna, Inc is a biotechnology company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines. The company’s platform leverages synthetic mRNA to instruct cells to produce proteins that can prevent or treat diseases. Since its founding in 2010, Moderna has advanced from early-stage research into a broad pipeline of vaccine and therapeutic candidates designed to address infectious diseases, rare genetic disorders and chronic illnesses.

Moderna’s flagship product is its mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, which was the first of its kind to receive emergency use authorization and later full approval in multiple jurisdictions.

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