Novavax (NASDAQ:NVAX) Stock Price Breaks Above 50-Day Moving Average - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Novavax shares rose 10.2% and moved above their 50-day moving average of $10.56, reaching $10.93 before last trading at $10.78.
• Third-quarter results beat expectations: the loss was $0.19 per share versus an expected $0.35, and revenue of $68.3 million exceeded estimates of $50.4 million, though revenue fell 3% year over year.
• Novavax raised its 2026 revenue outlook to $385 million–$415 million, largely reflecting a $125 million Sanofi milestone, and said cash should last into 2029. Its profitability target was pushed to 2029, while analysts’ consensus rating remains Hold.

Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ:NVAX - Get Free Report) passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $10.56 and traded as high as $10.93. Novavax shares last traded at $10.78, with a volume of 6,284,977 shares changing hands.

Trending Headlines about Novavax

Here are the key news stories impacting Novavax this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Novavax reported a Q3 loss of $0.19 per share, narrower than analysts’ expected $0.35 loss, while revenue of $68.3 million topped estimates of about $50.4 million. The loss also improved from $0.62 per share a year earlier. Article: Novavax Reports Q3 Loss, Tops Revenue Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: The company raised its 2026 revenue outlook to $385 million–$415 million, or $400 million at the midpoint—about $145 million higher than its prior framework. A $125 million milestone from Sanofi, earned after a Phase 3 trial launch, accounts for much of the increase. Novavax also reduced operating expenses and said its cash runway extends into 2029. Article: Novavax boosts 2026 revenue forecast as licensing deals pay off
• Neutral Sentiment: B. Riley reaffirmed its Buy rating, though it lowered its price target to $16 from $18. The reduced target tempers the otherwise positive analyst stance. Article: B. Riley stock recommendations
• Negative Sentiment: Investors may be focused on Novavax pushing its profitability target out to 2029. Q3 revenue was still down 3% year over year, and the higher 2026 outlook depends substantially on the Sanofi milestone, raising questions about the durability of revenue growth. Article: Novavax pushes profitability target to 2029, shares dip

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on NVAX shares. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an "overweight" rating on shares of Novavax in a report on Tuesday, October 27th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Novavax from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d)" rating on shares of Novavax in a report on Monday. Zacks Research downgraded Novavax from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Finally, Citigroup restated a "sell" rating and issued a $8.00 target price (up from $7.00) on shares of Novavax in a report on Thursday, October 15th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $12.33.

Novavax Trading Up 10.2%

The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.56 and a 200-day simple moving average of $9.35. The stock has a market cap of $1.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -23.43 and a beta of 2.65.

Novavax (NASDAQ:NVAX - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 5th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.19) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.35) by $0.16. Novavax had a negative return on equity of 14.82% and a negative net margin of 59.87%. The company had revenue of $68.30 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $50.42 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned ($1.25) EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was down 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Novavax, Inc. will post -0.38 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Novavax

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its holdings in Novavax by 5.1% in the third quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 94,969 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $1,027,000 after purchasing an additional 4,632 shares during the last quarter. Fulcrum Asset Management LLP bought a new stake in Novavax during the 3rd quarter worth about $181,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its position in shares of Novavax by 4.5% during the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 27,820 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $295,000 after acquiring an additional 1,207 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Novavax in the third quarter valued at about $91,000. Finally, China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Novavax by 15.0% during the 3rd quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 30,096 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $326,000 after buying an additional 3,926 shares during the last quarter. 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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