Novavax (NASDAQ:NVAX) Reaches New 1-Year High - Time to Buy?

Key Points

• Novavax shares reached a new 52-week high of $13.39, fueled by renewed attention to approvals for its updated Nuvaxovid vaccine and the royalty revenue potential from Sanofi’s commercialization.
• High short interest and unusually bullish options activity amplified the rally, but the move may be heavily momentum-driven; an unconfirmed Russia plague report has no established connection to Novavax.
• Despite a projected 2026 revenue outlook of $235 million to $275 million, analyst sentiment remains mixed, with an average “Hold” rating and a $14 consensus price target. Recent results also showed sharply lower year-over-year revenue and continued losses.

Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ:NVAX - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday. The stock traded as high as $13.39 and last traded at $12.56, with a volume of 28602453 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $10.46.

Key Stories Impacting Novavax

Here are the key news stories impacting Novavax this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Investors revisited Novavax’s late-August announcement that its XFG-adapted Nuvaxovid vaccine had received approvals in the United States, European Union and Japan for the 2026–2027 vaccination season. The approvals support continued royalty revenue while Sanofi handles commercialization in major markets. Novavax is eligible for royalties in the high-teens to low-twenties percentage range on Sanofi’s net sales. Novavax jumps as investors revisit multi-market vaccine approvals and royalty upside
• Positive Sentiment: The stock’s high short interest appears to have amplified the rally. About 30.7% of the float was recently sold short, with more than nine days of short covering indicated. Unusually high trading volume may reflect short sellers closing positions as momentum accelerated. Novavax Shorts on Edge as Russia Plague Fears Spread
• Positive Sentiment: Options activity was notably bullish, with traders purchasing 55,472 call options—approximately 508% above typical call volume. Such activity can increase near-term trading momentum, although it does not guarantee sustained demand for the shares.
• Positive Sentiment: Novavax’s previously reported 2026 adjusted revenue outlook of $235 million to $275 million, along with possible partner milestone payments, provided additional fundamental support for the renewed interest in the stock.
• Neutral Sentiment: Some market attention was tied to unconfirmed reports of a suspected plague death in Russia. The development has no established connection to Novavax’s products, making this a speculative sentiment catalyst rather than a company-specific fundamental change. Novavax Shorts on Edge as Russia Plague Fears Spread
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst views remain mixed, with the stock carrying an average “Hold” rating and recently reported price targets ranging from $9 to $19. This suggests significant uncertainty despite the current momentum. Novavax Receives Average Rating of Hold from Analysts

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on NVAX shares. Zacks Research cut Novavax from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d)" rating on shares of Novavax in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. BTIG Research restated a "buy" rating and issued a $19.00 price target on shares of Novavax in a report on Thursday, June 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Novavax from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, September 12th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Novavax has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $14.00.

Novavax Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $2.07 billion, a PE ratio of -8.26 and a beta of 2.44. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $9.25 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $9.04.

Novavax (NASDAQ:NVAX - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.32) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.38) by $0.06. Novavax had a negative net margin of 59.87% and a negative return on equity of 14.82%. The company had revenue of $56.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $52.51 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.62 earnings per share. Novavax's revenue for the quarter was down 76.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Novavax, Inc. will post -0.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Novavax

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Duncker Streett & Co. Inc. boosted its position in Novavax by 917.3% in the 1st quarter. Duncker Streett & Co. Inc. now owns 4,242 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 3,825 shares during the last quarter. KBC Group NV grew its stake in shares of Novavax by 34.9% during the first quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 4,746 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 1,229 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP increased its position in shares of Novavax by 292.5% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 4,353 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 3,244 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Novavax during the second quarter worth about $42,000. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Novavax in the first quarter worth about $83,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 53.04% of the company's stock.

Novavax Company Profile

Novavax, Inc is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of vaccines. The company uses its recombinant protein-based vaccine platform and Matrix-M adjuvant technology to develop vaccines designed to stimulate targeted immune responses.

Novavax's principal commercial product is its protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, marketed in various regions under the Nuvaxovid or Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine name. The vaccine has been authorized or approved in multiple markets, including the United States, Europe and other international jurisdictions, with availability and regulatory status varying by country.

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