Novavax (NASDAQ:NVAX) Shares Break Above 50 Day Moving Average - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Novavax shares moved above their 50-day moving average of $10.43, reaching $10.62 before last trading at $10.47.
• Novavax received a $125 million milestone payment from Sanofi after the launch of a Phase 3 trial for a combined influenza-COVID-19 vaccine, potentially supporting future milestones and royalties.
• Investors face mixed catalysts ahead of the November 5 third-quarter report: analysts see earnings weakness risk, while Wall Street’s overall rating remains “Hold” with an average price target of $12.33.

Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ:NVAX - Get Free Report)'s stock price passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $10.43 and traded as high as $10.62. Novavax shares last traded at $10.47, with a volume of 2,790,195 shares.

Trending Headlines about Novavax

Here are the key news stories impacting Novavax this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Sanofi milestone payment provides an immediate catalyst. Novavax earned a $125 million payment after Sanofi dosed the fifth patient in a Phase 3 European trial of an influenza-COVID-19 combination vaccine using Novavax’s Nuvaxovid. The payment strengthens Novavax’s cash position and validates the commercial potential of its Sanofi partnership. Novavax Earns $125 Million Milestone as Sanofi Launches Phase 3 Influenza-COVID-19 Combination Vaccine Trial in Europe
• Positive Sentiment: Combination-vaccine opportunity could create additional long-term value. Sanofi’s Phase 3 study is testing Nuvaxovid alongside its high-dose flu vaccine in adults aged 60 and older. Positive results could lead to additional milestones and future royalty opportunities for Novavax in the combined flu and COVID-19 market, which the company estimates exceeds $10 billion. Novavax Earns $125 Million Milestone From Sanofi’s Phase 3 Vaccine Trial in Europe
• Neutral Sentiment: Third-quarter results are scheduled for November 5. Novavax plans to release its financial results before the U.S. market opens and hold a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET. The report may provide updates on operating performance, cash resources, vaccine demand and the Sanofi collaboration. Novavax to Report Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results on November 5, 2026
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts are flagging potential earnings weakness ahead of the report. A Zacks analysis says NVAX lacks the usual combination of earnings and revenue-estimate trends associated with a likely beat, raising the risk of a disappointing third-quarter result and increased volatility around the release. Novavax May Report Negative Earnings

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of Novavax in a report on Tuesday. Wall Street Zen upgraded Novavax from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, September 12th. Weiss Ratings restated a "sell (d)" rating on shares of Novavax in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Citigroup restated a "sell" rating and set a $8.00 target price (up from $7.00) on shares of Novavax in a research report on Thursday, October 15th. Finally, Zacks Research cut Novavax from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $12.33.

Novavax Stock Performance

The stock's 50-day moving average is $10.43 and its 200 day moving average is $9.29. The firm has a market cap of $1.73 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.89 and a beta of 2.44.

Novavax (NASDAQ:NVAX - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.32) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.38) by $0.06. Novavax had a negative return on equity of 14.82% and a negative net margin of 59.87%. The business had revenue of $56.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $52.51 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.62 EPS. The firm's revenue was down 76.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Novavax, Inc. will post -0.50 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Novavax during the 3rd quarter worth about $91,000. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Novavax by 15.0% in the 3rd quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 30,096 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $326,000 after acquiring an additional 3,926 shares in the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. increased its position in shares of Novavax by 9.0% in the third quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 65,260 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $705,000 after acquiring an additional 5,395 shares during the last quarter. TSP Capital Management Group LLC increased its position in shares of Novavax by 0.9% in the third quarter. TSP Capital Management Group LLC now owns 1,432,365 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $15,484,000 after acquiring an additional 13,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Novavax in the second quarter valued at about $42,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 53.04% of the company's stock.

About Novavax

Novavax, Inc is a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing vaccines for infectious diseases. The company uses recombinant protein nanoparticle technology and its proprietary Matrix-M adjuvant to develop vaccines designed to stimulate targeted immune responses.

Novavax's principal commercial product is Nuvaxovid, also known as the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, a protein-based vaccine developed to help prevent COVID-19. The vaccine has been authorized or approved in various markets, subject to local regulatory requirements, and the company has worked with governments, public-health organizations, and pharmaceutical partners to support its distribution internationally.

Founded in 1987, Novavax is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

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