Viking Therapeutics Azioni (NASDAQ: VKTX)

Ultime notizie per Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) Azioni

VIKING THERAPEUTICS INC

Viking Therapeutics

Viking Therapeutics Inc is a healthcare service provider. The company specializes in the area of biopharmaceutical development focused on metabolic and endocrine disorders. The company's clinical program pipeline consists of VK2809, VK5211, VK0214 products. VK2809 and VK0214 are orally available, tissue and receptor-subtype selective agonists of the thyroid hormone receptor beta. VK5211 is an orally available, non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulator.

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Viking Therapeutics Inc

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders will search for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges heavily from its normal worth. High amounts of trading activity could push option prices to exaggerated or underestimated levels. 
Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$76.00</td>
<td>$46.3K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
<td>4.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ILMN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$32.6K</td>
<td>275</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HIMS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$45.3K</td>
<td>334</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VKTX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$32.1K</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>908</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ABBV</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$192.50</td>
<td>$25.0K</td>
<td>618</td>
<td>726</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$22.50</td>
<td>$46.7K</td>
<td>219</td>
<td>73</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/17/27</td>
<td>$500.00</td>
<td>$43.1K</td>
<td>494</td>
<td>41</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LLY</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/15/25</td>
<td>$790.00</td>
<td>$45.0K</td>
<td>160</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VRTX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/17/25</td>
<td>$490.00</td>
<td>$32.8K</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$280.00</td>
<td>$35.8K</td>
<td>1.7K</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• For MRK (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 7 day(s) on May 16, 2025. This event was a transfer of 315 contract(s) at a $76.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 15 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $46.3K, with a price of $147.0 per contract. There were 2065 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4318 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding ILMN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ILMN#NASDAQ">ILMN</a>), we observe a call option sweep with neutral sentiment. It expires in 133 day(s) on September 19, 2025. Parties traded 152 contract(s) at a $105.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.6K, with a price of $215.0 per contract. There were 275 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1355 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding HIMS (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIMS#NYSE">HIMS</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 616 day(s) on January 15, 2027. Parties traded 27 contract(s) at a $75.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $45.3K, with a price of $1680.0 per contract. There were 334 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1104 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding VKTX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>), we observe a put option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 616 day(s) on January 15, 2027. Parties traded 6 contract(s) at a $80.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.1K, with a price of $5351.0 per contract. There were 27 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 908 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding ABBV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 7 day(s) on May 16, 2025. Parties traded 137 contract(s) at a $192.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 40 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.0K, with a price of $183.0 per contract. There were 618 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 726 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For GH (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GH#NASDAQ">GH</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 224 day(s) on December 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 22 contract(s) at a $22.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 19 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $46.7K, with a price of $2123.0 per contract. There were 219 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 73 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding UNH (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), we observe a call option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 769 day(s) on June 17, 2027. Parties traded 10 contract(s) at a $500.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $43.1K, with a price of $4315.0 per contract. There were 494 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 41 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding LLY (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 98 day(s) on August 15, 2025. Parties traded 10 contract(s) at a $790.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $45.0K, with a price of $4500.0 per contract. There were 160 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 12 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For VRTX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRTX#NASDAQ">VRTX</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 161 day(s) on October 17, 2025. This event was a transfer of 5 contract(s) at a $490.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.8K, with a price of $6569.0 per contract. There were 21 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 8 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For CI (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 616 day(s) on January 15, 2027. This event was a transfer of 4 contract(s) at a $280.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $35.8K, with a price of $8950.0 per contract. There were 1706 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

ABBV

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. Class A Common Stock

HIMS

ILMN

VRTX

10 Health Care Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

WIIM

Viking Therapeutics shares are trading higher after Cantor FItzgerald initiated coverage on the stock with an Overweight rating and announced a price target of $104.

Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Steven Seedhouse initiates coverage on Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) with a Overweight rating and announces Price Target of $104.

Price Target

Initiation

Analyst Ratings

Cantor Fitzgerald Initiates Coverage On Viking Therapeutics with Overweight Rating, Announces Price Target of $104

Truist Securities analyst Joon Lee reiterates Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $95 to $75.

Reiteration

Truist Securities Reiterates Buy on Viking Therapeutics, Lowers Price Target to $75

Morgan Stanley analyst Michael Ulz maintains Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $105 to $102.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Overweight on Viking Therapeutics, Lowers Price Target to $102

HC Wainwright &amp; Co. analyst Joseph Pantginis reiterates Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) with a Buy and maintains $102 price target.

HC Wainwright & Co. Reiterates Buy on Viking Therapeutics, Maintains $102 Price Target

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) released its first-quarter results after Wednesday's closing bell. Here's a look at the details<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/n44964150/viking-therapeutics-reports-first-quarter-2025-financial-results-and-provides-corporate-update"> from the report.&nbsp;</a>
The Details:&nbsp;Viking Therapeutics reported quarterly losses of&nbsp;41 cents&nbsp;per share, which missed the analyst consensus estimate of&nbsp;losses of 34 cents.
The company said the increase in the quarterly net loss was primarily due to the increase in research and development expenses and general and administrative expenses compared to the same period in 2024.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44952117/apple-and-meta-fined-nearly-800-million-for-violating-european-unions-digital-markets-act?utm_source=articleShare">Apple And Meta Fined Nearly $800 Million For Violating European Union&#8217;s Digital Markets Act</a>&nbsp;
Research and development expenses were $41.4 million for the first quarter, compared to $24.1 million for the same period in 2024. The increase was primarily due to increased expenses related to manufacturing for the company&#8217;s drug candidates, clinical studies, stock-based compensation and salaries and benefits, partially offset by decreased expenses related to pre-clinical studies.
General and administrative expenses were $14.1 million for the first quarter compared to $10 million for the same period in 2024. The increase was primarily due to increased expenses related to legal and patent services, stock-based compensation and insurance, partially offset by a decrease in salaries and benefits.
As of March 31, 2025, Viking held cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $852 million, compared to $903 million as of the end of 2024.
&#8220;In the first quarter of 2025, Viking continued to build on the strong momentum achieved in 2024,&#8221; stated Brian Lian, Ph.D., CEO of Viking.
&#8220;Throughout the first quarter we continued to ramp up activities in support of the initiation of Phase 3 trials with the subcutaneous formulation of VK2735, which are on track to begin later this quarter. In addition, during the first quarter, we not only announced the initiation of the Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing trial evaluating the tablet formulation of VK2735, but also the completion of enrollment in this study,&#8221; Lian added.
VKTX Price Action: According to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw">Benzinga Pro</a>, Viking Therapeutics stock was down 1.12% after hours at $25.50 on Wednesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Read Next:&nbsp;
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Photo: Shutterstock

Biotech

Earnings

Health Care

After-Hours Center

Movers

General

Viking Therapeutics Stock Dips After Q1 EPS Miss: Details

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) reported quarterly losses of $(0.41) per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $(0.34) by 20.59 percent. This is a 57.69 percent decrease over losses of $(0.26) per share from the same period last year.

Earnings Misses

Viking Therapeutics Q1 GAAP EPS $(0.41) Misses $(0.34) Estimate

AMTB

ASGN

BANC

BPOP

BRKL

BWFG

CACI

CBAN

CHDN

CHKP

COOP

CSLR

CVLG

New Oriental Education & Technology Group

EGBN

EPRT

GATX

GLPG

GSHD

HBNC

HCSG

IMAX

INBK

KALU

KREF

LRCX

MTDR

ODFL

ORLY

OSBC

OTIS

PLXS

PTEN

SEIC

Earnings Scheduled For April 23, 2025

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) is set to give its latest quarterly earnings report on Wednesday, 2025-04-23. Here's what investors need to know before the announcement.
Analysts estimate that Viking Therapeutics will report an earnings per share (EPS) of $-0.32. 
Investors in Viking Therapeutics are eagerly awaiting the company's announcement, hoping for news of surpassing estimates and positive guidance for the next quarter.
It's worth noting for new investors that stock prices can be heavily influenced by future projections rather than just past performance.
<h3>Performance in Previous Earnings</h3>
During the last quarter, the company reported an EPS missed by $0.05, leading to a 6.09% drop in the share price on the subsequent day.
Here's a look at Viking Therapeutics's past performance and the resulting price change:

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Quarter</th>
<th>Q4 2024</th>
<th>Q3 2024</th>
<th>Q2 2024</th>
<th>Q1 2024</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>EPS Estimate</td>
<td>-0.27</td>
<td>-0.25</td>
<td>-0.27</td>
<td>-0.28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EPS Actual</td>
<td>-0.32</td>
<td>-0.22</td>
<td>-0.20</td>
<td>-0.26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Price Change %</td>
<td>-6.0%</td>
<td>21.0%</td>
<td>28.000000000000004%</td>
<td>6.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745344947_0.png" alt="eps graph" />
<h3>Viking Therapeutics Share Price Analysis</h3>
Shares of Viking Therapeutics were trading at $23.72 as of April 21. Over the last 52-week period, shares are down 61.43%. Given that these returns are generally negative, long-term shareholders are likely a little upset going into this earnings release. 
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/VKTX/earnings">To track all earnings releases for Viking Therapeutics visit their earnings calendar on our site.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Earnings Preview For Viking Therapeutics

Viking Therapeutics's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NYSE">VKTX</a>) short percent of float has fallen 5.26% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 25.62 million shares sold short, which is 27.38% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 8.53 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Viking Therapeutics Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745251217_0_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Viking Therapeutics has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Viking Therapeutics's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Viking Therapeutics's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 13.52%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

How Is The Market Feeling About Viking Therapeutics?

Viking Therapeutics shares are trading higher after Pfizer discontinued the development of danuglipron.

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>),&nbsp;&nbsp;Eli Lilly And Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) stocks are trading higher on Monday.
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) announced on Monday that it will discontinue the development of danuglipron (PF-06882961), an oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist being investigated for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chronic weight management</a>.
A single asymptomatic participant in one of the dose-optimization studies experienced potential drug-induced liver injury, which resolved after discontinuation of danuglipron.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/01/42827918/viking-therapeutics-structure-therapeutics-positioned-as-key-pharma-partners-for-weight-loss-products-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">Viking Therapeutics, Structure Therapeutics Positioned As Key Pharma Partners For Weight Loss Products: Analyst</a>
Pfizer is one of several drugmakers working to develop an alternative to injectable weight loss drugs. Still, it&#8217;s far behind rivals like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, who already lead the market with weekly injections.
Eli Lilly is developing orforglipron, which could be the first small-molecule weight-loss pill when it launches in 2026. This would give Eli Lilly a two-year lead <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/10/41137681/eli-lilly-nears-first-trillion-pharma-title-but-investors-caution-amid-sky-high-valuation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">before rivals catch up</a>.
In March, Viking Therapeutics completed subject enrollment in its Phase 2 clinical trial of the oral tablet formulation of VK2735, the company&#8217;s dual agonist of the GLP-1 and glucose-dependent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/n44490486/viking-therapeutics-announces-completion-of-enrollment-in-phase-2-venture-oral-dosing-trial-of-vk2" rel="noreferrer noopener">insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors</a>.
VK2375 is being developed in oral and subcutaneous formulations for various metabolic disorders, such as obesity. Viking expects to report data from the study in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/11/41712739/viking-therapeutics-reveals-early-stage-from-experimental-oral-obesity-drug-showing-weight-loss-a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the second half of 2025</a>.
Viking plans to initiate Phase 3 development with the subcutaneous formulation of VK2735 in the first half of 2025.
In June 2024, Structure Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPCR#NASDAQ">GPCR</a>) unveiled 12-week topline obesity data from its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/06/39144875/structure-therapeutics-obesity-candidate-is-very-competitive-to-eli-lillys-orforgli" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phase 2a study of GSBR-1290</a>.
In the Phase 2a obesity study, GSBR-1290 demonstrated a clinically meaningful and statistically significant placebo-adjusted mean decrease in weight of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/06/g39133591/structure-therapeutics-reports-positive-topline-data-from-its-phase-2a-obesity-study-and-capsule-t" rel="noreferrer noopener">6.2% at 12 weeks</a>.&nbsp;
In July 2024, Roche Holdings AG&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RHHBY#OTC">RHHBY</a>) announced topline results from two arms of an ongoing multi-part Phase 1 clinical trial for CT-996 for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/07/39812408/roche-highlights-encouraging-data-from-newly-acquired-second-weight-loss-drug-candidate-in-early-" rel="noreferrer noopener">type 2 diabetes and obesity</a>.
The data showed that treatment with CT-996 in participants with obesity and without type 2 diabetes resulted in a clinically meaningful placebo-adjusted mean weight loss of -6.1% within four weeks.
This data is better compared <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/07/39817857/obesity-drugs-focused-stocks-tumble-on-wednesday-whats-going-on-with-eli-lilly-novo-nordisk-vikin" rel="noreferrer noopener">to existing competitors</a>.
In June 2023, Pfizer discontinued the clinical development of another GLP-1-RA candidate, lotiglipron (PF-07081532), due to pharmacokinetic data from Phase 1 studies and laboratory measurements of elevated&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/11/35757948/what-are-pfizers-prospects-in-obesity-pill-market-analysts-say-optimism-cautiousness-surround-wit" rel="noreferrer noopener">transaminases (liver enzymes)</a>.
In March, Altimmune Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALT#NASDAQ">ALT</a>) unveiled the first disclosure of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Alcohol Liver Disease (ALD) as potential developments&nbsp;for its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/03/44330443/altimmune-expands-weight-loss-drug-pemvidutides-potential-to-alcohol-related-disorders" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity drug, pemvidutide</a>.
Phase 2 trials for pemvidutide in AUD and ALD are expected to start in the second and third quarters of 2025, respectively.
Price Action: LLY stock is up 1.14% at $739.26, NVO stock is up 1.68% at $65.82, ALT stock is up 3.40% at $4.56, VKTX stock is up 13.5% at $25.21
GPCR stock is up 8.36% at $17.23 at the last check on Monday.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44788755/bp-discovers-oil-at-far-south-prospect-in-deepwater-gulf-boosts-upstream-growth-outlook" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BP Discovers Oil At Far South Prospect in Deepwater Gulf, Boosts Upstream Growth Outlook</a></li>
</ul>

Large Cap

GPCR

RHHBY

What's Going On With Viking Therapeutics, Structure Therapeutics Stock On Monday?

Editor's Note: The headline has been updated to reflect that the stocks are moving higher.
U.S. stock futures were higher this morning, with the Dow futures gaining around 400 points on Friday.
Shares of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) rose sharply in today's pre-market trading after the Trump administration announced tariff <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AAPL">exemptions for smartphones</a>.
Apple shares gained 5.8% to 209.56 in the pre-market trading session.
Here are some other stocks moving higher in pre-market trading.
<ul>
<li>Third Harmonic Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/THRD#NASDAQ">THRD</a>) shares jumped 36.8% to $4.98 in pre-market trading after the company announced a plan of liquidation and dissolution.</li>
<li>Theratechnologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/THTX#NASDAQ">THTX</a>) gained 32.5% to $2.57 in pre-market trading. Future Pak, on Friday, proposed to acquire the company for $255 million.</li>
<li>TMC the metals company Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMC#NASDAQ">TMC</a>) gained 20% to $2.34 in pre-market trading following a 5% gain on Friday.</li>
<li>Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) rose 14.5% to $25.45 in pre-market trading after gaining 3% on Friday.</li>
<li>MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MP#NYSE">MP</a>) rose 12% to $25.40 in pre-market trading. MP Materials will release its financial results for the first quarter, after the closing bell on Thursday, May 8.</li>
<li>Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBY#NYSE">BBY</a>) gained 8.8% to $65.76 in pre-market trading after the Trump administration excluded a range of technology products, including consumer electronics from the 145% reciprocal tariffs bucket.</li>
<li>Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DELL#NYSE">DELL</a>) climbed 5.8% to $86.73 in pre-market trading &nbsp;after the Trump administration excluded a range of technology products, including consumer electronics from the 145% reciprocal tariffs bucket.</li>
<li>NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) rose 3% to $114.17 in pre-market trading after the Trump administration excluded a range of technology products, including consumer electronics from the 145% reciprocal tariffs bucket.</li>
</ul>
Now Read This: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/04/44759831/top-3-industrials-stocks-that-may-explode-in-april">Top 3 Industrials Stocks That May Explode In April</a> </li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

AAPL

DELL

NVDA

THRD

THTX

Third Harmonic Bio, Apple, Dell And Other Big Stocks Moving Higher In Monday's Pre-Market Session (CORRECTED)

Goldman Sachs analyst Richard Law initiates coverage on Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) with a Neutral rating and announces Price Target of $30.

Goldman Sachs Initiates Coverage On Viking Therapeutics with Neutral Rating, Announces Price Target of $30

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with VKTX, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 8 uncommon options trades for Viking Therapeutics.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 37% bullish and 62%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 6 are puts, for a total amount of $342,498, and 2 are calls, for a total amount of $63,900.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $20.0 to $70.0 for Viking Therapeutics over the recent three months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Viking Therapeutics's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Viking Therapeutics's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $20.0 to $70.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>Viking Therapeutics 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1743191131_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th align="right">Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>VKTX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$8.2</td>
<td>$8.1</td>
<td>$8.1</td>
<td>$32.50</td>
<td>$102.0K</td>
<td align="right">495</td>
<td align="right">213</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VKTX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$8.2</td>
<td>$8.1</td>
<td>$8.1</td>
<td>$32.50</td>
<td>$69.6K</td>
<td align="right">495</td>
<td align="right">87</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VKTX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$20.65</td>
<td>$20.45</td>
<td>$20.65</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$61.9K</td>
<td align="right">49</td>
<td align="right">30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VKTX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$8.2</td>
<td>$8.1</td>
<td>$8.1</td>
<td>$32.50</td>
<td>$39.6K</td>
<td align="right">495</td>
<td align="right">262</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VKTX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$44.0</td>
<td>$42.9</td>
<td>$44.0</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$39.6K</td>
<td align="right">30</td>
<td align="right">9</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Viking Therapeutics</h3>
Viking Therapeutics Inc is a healthcare service provider. The company specializes in the area of biopharmaceutical development focused on metabolic and endocrine disorders. The company's clinical program pipeline consists of VK2809, VK5211, VK0214 products. VK2809 and VK0214 are orally available, tissue and receptor-subtype selective agonists of the thyroid hormone receptor beta. VK5211 is an orally available, non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulator.
In light of the recent options history for Viking Therapeutics, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Current Position of Viking Therapeutics</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 1,390,322, the price of VKTX is down by -2.51%, reaching $25.48.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 26 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Viking Therapeutics</h3>
In the last month, 2 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $102.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from HC Wainwright &amp; Co. downgraded its action to Buy with a price target of $102. 
&#x2A; An analyst from HC Wainwright &amp; Co. downgraded its action to Buy with a price target of $102. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Viking Therapeutics, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

A Closer Look at Viking Therapeutics's Options Market Dynamics

Viking Therapeutics Completes Enrollment In Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing Trial Of VK2735 Tablet Formulation For Patients With Obesity

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Health Care sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>PFE</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$24.00</td>
<td>$50.5K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VKTX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$60.2K</td>
<td>2.8K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMGN</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/28/25</td>
<td>$320.00</td>
<td>$473.7K</td>
<td>609</td>
<td>602</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HCA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$320.00</td>
<td>$312.3K</td>
<td>43</td>
<td>502</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AKRO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$27.50</td>
<td>$35.0K</td>
<td>2.4K</td>
<td>469</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GERN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/17/25</td>
<td>$1.00</td>
<td>$33.7K</td>
<td>413</td>
<td>397</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EWTX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$32.2K</td>
<td>5.4K</td>
<td>332</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ABBV</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$230.00</td>
<td>$53.6K</td>
<td>6.9K</td>
<td>295</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CAH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>$44.2K</td>
<td>2.6K</td>
<td>188</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BMY</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$57.50</td>
<td>$64.9K</td>
<td>9.5K</td>
<td>167</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding PFE (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>), we observe a call option sweep with neutral sentiment. It expires in 56 day(s) on May 16, 2025. Parties traded 200 contract(s) at a $24.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $50.5K, with a price of $253.0 per contract. There were 2012 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2073 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For VKTX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bearish, is expiring today. Parties traded 300 contract(s) at a $30.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $60.2K, with a price of $201.0 per contract. There were 2865 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1625 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding AMGN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 7 day(s) on March 28, 2025. Parties traded 600 contract(s) at a $320.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 57 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $473.7K, with a price of $779.0 per contract. There were 609 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 602 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding HCA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HCA#NYSE">HCA</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 27 day(s) on April 17, 2025. Parties traded 474 contract(s) at a $320.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $312.3K, with a price of $660.0 per contract. There were 43 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 502 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AKRO (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AKRO#NASDAQ">AKRO</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, is expiring today. Parties traded 20 contract(s) at a $27.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $35.0K, with a price of $1750.0 per contract. There were 2499 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 469 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding GERN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GERN#NASDAQ">GERN</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 210 day(s) on October 17, 2025. Parties traded 397 contract(s) at a $1.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $33.7K, with a price of $85.0 per contract. There were 413 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 397 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding EWTX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWTX#NASDAQ">EWTX</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 27 day(s) on April 17, 2025. Parties traded 104 contract(s) at a $30.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 21 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.2K, with a price of $310.0 per contract. There were 5479 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 332 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ABBV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 91 day(s) on June 20, 2025. This event was a transfer of 198 contract(s) at a $230.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 35 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $53.6K, with a price of $271.0 per contract. There were 6965 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 295 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For CAH (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAH#NYSE">CAH</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, is expiring today. Parties traded 137 contract(s) at a $130.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 14 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $44.2K, with a price of $325.0 per contract. There were 2600 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 188 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding BMY (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 91 day(s) on June 20, 2025. Parties traded 116 contract(s) at a $57.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $64.9K, with a price of $560.0 per contract. There were 9548 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 167 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

AKRO

AMGN

EWTX

GERN

10 Health Care Stocks Whale Activity In Today's Session

Press Releases

SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Pomerantz Law Firm Investigates Claims On Behalf of Investors of Viking Therapeutics, Inc. - VKTX

Small Cap

Viking Therapeutics to Report Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2024 on February 5, 2025

Viking Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2024 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

Viking Therapeutics to Participate at Upcoming Investor Conferences

Viking Therapeutics Signs Broad Manufacturing Agreement With CordenPharma to Support Commercialization of VK2735

Contracts

CordenPharma and Viking Therapeutics Sign Long-Term Strategic Partnership for Integrated Supply of GLP-1 Peptides, Injectables and Oral Formulations

Viking Therapeutics Announces Completion of Enrollment in Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing Trial of VK2735 Tablet Formulation in Patients with Obesity

Viking Therapeutics to Report Financial Results for First Quarter 2025 on April 23, 2025

Viking Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

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