Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIR) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Shares of Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIR - Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the seven research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $32.86.

Several analysts recently weighed in on VIR shares. HC Wainwright restated a "buy" rating and set a $110.00 price target on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a report on Friday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on shares of Vir Biotechnology from $28.00 to $21.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Needham & Company LLC restated a "buy" rating and issued a $14.00 target price on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a report on Thursday. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Vir Biotechnology from $26.00 to $31.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th.

Vir Biotechnology Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ VIR traded down $0.16 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $4.46. 199,370 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,784,821. The company's 50 day moving average is $5.77 and its 200 day moving average is $7.73. Vir Biotechnology has a one year low of $4.32 and a one year high of $14.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $615.85 million, a PE ratio of -1.14 and a beta of 1.36.

Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported ($0.88) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.83) by ($0.05). Vir Biotechnology had a negative return on equity of 36.71% and a negative net margin of 678.40%. The company had revenue of $3.03 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $8.59 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($0.48) EPS. The company's revenue was down 94.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Vir Biotechnology will post -3.92 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Vir Biotechnology

In other news, CEO Backer Marianne De sold 79,712 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.95, for a total transaction of $474,286.40. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 769,505 shares in the company, valued at $4,578,554.75. This represents a 9.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Verneuil Vanina De sold 7,373 shares of Vir Biotechnology stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.14, for a total transaction of $67,389.22. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 79,460 shares of the company's stock, valued at $726,264.40. This trade represents a 8.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 15.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vir Biotechnology

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new stake in Vir Biotechnology in the fourth quarter valued at $42,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 524.3% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 7,111 shares of the company's stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 5,972 shares during the last quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Vir Biotechnology during the fourth quarter worth about $60,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in Vir Biotechnology by 31.8% during the fourth quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 8,288 shares of the company's stock worth $61,000 after acquiring an additional 1,999 shares during the period. Finally, KBC Group NV raised its position in Vir Biotechnology by 136.5% during the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 8,970 shares of the company's stock valued at $66,000 after acquiring an additional 5,177 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.32% of the company's stock.

Vir Biotechnology Company Profile

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).