Aberdeen Group plc Acquires 313,699 Shares of Vir Biotechnology, Inc. $VIR

Key Points

• Aberdeen Group plc increased its stake in Vir Biotechnology by 45.3%, acquiring an additional 313,699 shares, now totaling 1,006,891 shares valued at approximately $5,075,000.
• Vir Biotechnology reported a loss of ($0.80) earnings per share for the last quarter, missing estimates and experiencing a 60.5% year-over-year revenue decline.
• Analysts have varying opinions on Vir Biotechnology, with nine rating it a Buy and setting an average price target of $17.30, despite recent sales by insiders.

Aberdeen Group plc raised its holdings in Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIR - Free Report) by 45.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,006,891 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 313,699 shares during the period. Aberdeen Group plc owned about 0.73% of Vir Biotechnology worth $5,075,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in VIR. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 3,945.6% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 46,079 shares of the company's stock valued at $299,000 after buying an additional 44,940 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Vir Biotechnology in the first quarter valued at $78,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 2.7% in the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 459,337 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,977,000 after buying an additional 12,024 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Vir Biotechnology in the first quarter valued at $97,000. Finally, CWM LLC lifted its stake in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 1,160.2% in the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 17,554 shares of the company's stock valued at $114,000 after buying an additional 16,161 shares in the last quarter. 65.32% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Vir Biotechnology Stock Performance

NASDAQ VIR opened at $5.80 on Friday. Vir Biotechnology, Inc. has a 52-week low of $4.16 and a 52-week high of $14.45. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $5.13 and a 200 day simple moving average of $5.28. The company has a market capitalization of $805.74 million, a PE ratio of -1.45 and a beta of 1.27.

Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.80) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.72) by ($0.08). Vir Biotechnology had a negative return on equity of 50.22% and a negative net margin of 2,895.94%.The company had revenue of $1.21 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.38 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($1.02) EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was down 60.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Vir Biotechnology, Inc. will post -3.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $12.00 price objective on the stock. HC Wainwright reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $15.00 target price on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a report on Monday, September 15th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a report on Tuesday. Bank of America upgraded shares of Vir Biotechnology from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their target price for the company from $12.00 to $14.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 27th. Finally, Raymond James Financial began coverage on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a report on Friday, July 11th. They issued an "outperform" rating for the company. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $17.30.

Insider Transactions at Vir Biotechnology

In related news, Director Vicki L. Sato sold 22,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.84, for a total transaction of $128,480.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 1,232,391 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,197,163.44. This trade represents a 1.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, major shareholder Endurance (Cayman) Ltd Svf sold 249,060 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.14, for a total transaction of $1,529,228.40. Following the sale, the insider owned 15,372,309 shares of the company's stock, valued at $94,385,977.26. This trade represents a 1.59% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 1,380,032 shares of company stock valued at $8,040,667 in the last 90 days. 16.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Vir Biotechnology

Vir Biotechnology, Inc, an immunology company, develops therapeutic products to treat and prevent serious infectious diseases. Its clinical development pipeline consists of product candidates targeting hepatitis delta virus (HDV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The company's preclinical candidates include those targeting influenza A and B, coronavirus disease 2019, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (MPV), and human papillomavirus (HPV).

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