Viking Therapeutics Stock (NASDAQ: VKTX) Adds More Than 1/3rd In 2 Sessions

Viking Therapeutics stock (NASDAQ: VKTX) has gained more than a third in value since the mid-point of trading on Wednesday, as YTD gains now stand at an impressive 270%.

The company's shares also experienced an unusually high level of options trading activity on Thursday. Traders took note as a surprising number of call options were bought. The volume is an upswing of around 80% compared to the normal daily average of options trading for the company.

Several equity analysts have recently weighed in on VKTX shares, with a consensus target price for Viking Therapeutics currently standing above $110. Such analyses are helpful for investors seeking to gauge the company's market expectations and potential growth, but can also be prone to rapid adjustment. The latest close of VKTX of 64.68 sits considerably below the consensus mark.

On the financial health front, Viking Therapeutics holds a market capitalisation of $7.13 billion. The stock opened at a price of $64.68 on a reported date, and the company's financial metrics reveal a PE ratio of -69.55 along with a beta of 1.03. These figures are indicative of the company's performance, investment potential, and market perception.

For the recent quarterly financial report, Viking Therapeutics announced earnings of ($0.20) per share (EPS), which outperformed the consensus estimate by $0.06. Looking ahead, analysts are projecting the company will post earnings of -1.09 per share for the current fiscal year. These earnings results and forecasts are fundamental for investors who track the company's profitability and future prospects.

The company is dedicated to the development of novel therapies aimed at treating metabolic and endocrine disorders. Its lead drug candidate, VK2809, is currently in Phase IIb clinical trials. This drug is viewed as a potentially significant treatment for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), critical areas of medical need.

Investors and market watchers will likely keep a close eye on Viking Therapeutics as it progresses through the drug development pipeline and continues to attract the attention of the investment community through its financial performance and growth trajectory.