Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR) Sets New 52-Week High - Should You Buy?

Key Points

• Vir Biotechnology shares reached a new 52-week high of $11.74, closing well above the prior session at $10.94. The stock’s 50-day and 200-day moving averages were $9.65 and $9.37, respectively.
• Analysts hold a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating with an average price target of $21.57, although ratings range from Strong Buy and Buy to Sell.
• The company beat quarterly expectations, reporting $0.47 EPS versus $0.33 expected and revenue of $238.95 million versus $135.88 million forecast. However, Vir remains unprofitable, with a negative net margin of 638.88%, and institutional investors own 65.32% of the stock.

Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIR - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $11.74 and last traded at $11.63, with a volume of 2777958 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $10.94.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Morgan Stanley set a $25.00 target price on Vir Biotechnology in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Weiss Ratings reissued a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. HC Wainwright restated a "buy" rating on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Leerink Partners increased their price objective on Vir Biotechnology from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 3rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Vir Biotechnology from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $21.57.

Vir Biotechnology Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $1.97 billion, a PE ratio of -6.25 and a beta of 1.62. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $9.65 and a 200 day moving average price of $9.37.

Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The company reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.33 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $238.95 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $135.88 million. Vir Biotechnology had a negative return on equity of 29.99% and a negative net margin of 638.88%.The firm's quarterly revenue was up 19582.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned ($0.80) EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Vir Biotechnology, Inc. will post -1.84 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vir Biotechnology

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of VIR. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Vir Biotechnology in the 2nd quarter valued at $210,712,000. ARCH Venture Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vir Biotechnology during the 2nd quarter worth $129,353,521. GSK plc acquired a new stake in shares of Vir Biotechnology during the 4th quarter worth $51,562,000. ADAR1 Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vir Biotechnology during the 1st quarter worth $24,593,000. Finally, Pictet Asset Management Holding SA raised its position in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 10,878.9% in the 1st quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 1,480,828 shares of the company's stock worth $13,268,000 after buying an additional 1,467,340 shares during the period. 65.32% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Vir Biotechnology Company Profile

Vir Biotechnology, Inc is a clinical‐stage immunology company dedicated to developing therapies that prevent and treat serious infectious diseases. The company leverages a suite of proprietary technology platforms—ranging from antibody isolation and screening tools to cell‐based assays and bioinformatics—to identify and advance antiviral and antibacterial candidates. Its scientific approach centers on harnessing the human immune system through monoclonal antibodies and immunomodulatory agents.

The company's pipeline includes product candidates targeting influenza A, COVID‐19, HIV, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis.

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