Viking Therapeutics (VKTX.US) Stock Rating 2026/2027: Strong Buy – Stock Analysis

25.17
Price history for Viking Therapeutics (VKTX.US) – stock price at $25.17, October 2026
Viking Therapeutics stock price – price development 2026. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
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No analysts currently cover Viking Therapeutics with a public price target. We add the price target automatically as soon as at least one analyst publishes a rating. Until then, use the technical analysis and the key figures below.

Analyst Ratings for Viking Therapeutics stock in 2026: Strong Buy

20 analysts cover Viking Therapeutics. There is broad agreement on a positive view — 90% recommend buying.

Consensus: Strong Buy (4.55/5)
Strong Buy
13 (65%)
Buy
5 (25%)
Hold
2 (10%)
Strong Sell Sell Hold Buy Strong Buy
4.55 out of 5 based on 20 analysts

About Viking Therapeutics – Biotechnology

**What Viking Therapeutics does**

Viking Therapeutics (ticker: VKTX) is a company that develops new medicines for metabolic and hormone-related diseases. It does not sell products yet. Instead, it earns money by researching and testing drugs, with the goal of eventually bringing them to market or partnering with larger companies.

The company's main focus is on treatments for fatty liver disease. Its most advanced project is a drug called VK2809, which is being tested in a mid-stage clinical trial (called "Phase IIb") for a liver condition known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH. This is a disease where fat builds up in the liver and causes inflammation and damage.

**Other projects**

Viking is also working on several other drugs:

- VK5211, a treatment aimed at helping patients recover after a hip fracture.
- VK2735, a drug that works on two hormone pathways at once (called a "dual GLP agonist"). This type of drug is often used to treat conditions like obesity or diabetes. It is currently in early-stage testing, known as "Phase 1," which is the first step where a drug is tested in humans, mainly to check safety.

**Background**

Viking Therapeutics was founded in 2012. Since then, it has grown its list of drug candidates to four in total. As a drug-development company, Viking depends on the results of its clinical trials and on regulatory approval before any of its products can be sold.
Read more about the company

Key Figures for Viking Therapeutics

$3.6B Market cap
- Revenue
Biotechnology Industry
- P/E
- P/S
11.90 P/B
United States Listed on exchange

What kind of stock is Viking Therapeutics?

Speculative stock

Viking Therapeutics is classified as a speculative stock.

Score Overview for Viking Therapeutics

💰 Value Score 3/100 (Very Low)
⭐ Quality Score 6/100 (Very Low)
🚀 Momentum Score 29/100 (Low)
📊 Total Score 12/100

⚠️ 4 red flags identified 4 critical

Our analysis has identified 4 potential risk factors in Viking Therapeutics that investors should be aware of.

🚨 Weak financial health: The Piotroski score is only 1/9 – the company shows signs of weakened profitability, liquidity or capital structure.
🚨 Weak balance sheet (elevated risk): Altman Z2 is -5.07 – the balance sheet is measurably weaker than average. This is a risk signal based on the numbers, not a bankruptcy prediction.
🚨 Negative return on equity: ROE is -88.9% – the company is generating a negative return for shareholders.
🚨 High short interest: 21.4% of the shares are sold short – many professional investors are betting on price declines.

📈 Valuation

The P/B ratio is 11.9.

🏦 Financial Health

The Piotroski score is 1 out of 9 — weak financial health, be careful. Altman Z2 is -5.07 (weak balance sheet — elevated risk). The debt-to-equity ratio (D/E) is 3.2% — low debt, a solid balance sheet.

🚀 Momentum & Short Interest

Short interest is 21.44% — very high, the market is skeptical.

Insider Trading in Viking Therapeutics 2026: The Signal Is negative

In 2026, insiders at Viking Therapeutics have made 20 transactions – split into 2 purchases and 18 sales. On a net basis, insiders took $31,113,137 out of the stock. Active insiders include Neil William Aubuchon, Aubuchon Neil William, ZANTE GREG and others. In the short term (last 3 months), the insider signal is negative.

Short-Term Signal (3 months): Negative

Insiders have exclusively sold shares over the last 3 months.

Over the last 3 months: 0 purchases and 3 sales. A net $6,268,442 out of the stock.

Long-Term Signal (all transactions): Mostly negative

Insiders have sold considerably more than they have bought. At large companies this can be due to planned sales (10b5-1 plans) and is not necessarily a negative signal.

Across the last 20 transactions: 2 purchases and 18 sales. A net $31,113,137 out of the stock.

Latest purchase: Neil William Aubuchon bought 4,475 shares at $33.50 each on 2026-03-10. The stock has since fallen 24.9%.

Latest sale: ZANTE GREG sold 21,217 shares at $33.47 each on 2026-07-29.

Who is buying: Neil William Aubuchon, Aubuchon Neil William.

Who is selling: ZANTE GREG, Mancini Marianna, Lian Brian, Marianna Mancini, Greg Zante and others.

Latest Insider Trades in Viking Therapeutics (2026)

The table shows the last 20 reported insider transactions in Viking Therapeutics. Green rows are purchases, red rows are sales. The data is based on official filings.

Transaction date Name Type Number of shares Price per share ($) Total amount ($)
2026-07-29 ZANTE GREG Sell 21,217 33 710,133
2026-07-29 Mancini Marianna Sell 18,217 33 609,723
2026-07-29 Lian Brian Sell 148,517 33 4,948,586
2026-03-10 Neil William Aubuchon Buy 4,475 34 149,913
2026-03-10 Aubuchon Neil William Buy 4,475 34 149,913
2026-01-05 ZANTE GREG Sell 31,961 32 1,025,628
2026-01-05 Marianna Mancini Sell 57,661 33 1,901,660
2026-01-05 Mancini Marianna Sell 31,961 35 1,120,872
2026-01-05 Lian Brian Sell 132,454 35 4,645,162
2026-01-05 Greg Zante Sell 57,661 33 1,897,047

Who is buying and selling Viking Therapeutics shares in 2026?

The following insiders have bought shares in Viking Therapeutics: Neil William Aubuchon, Aubuchon Neil William. In total, $299,825 was bought across 2 transactions. The following insiders have sold shares: ZANTE GREG, Mancini Marianna, Lian Brian, Marianna Mancini, Greg Zante and others. In total, $31,412,962 was sold across 18 transactions. Insider trades are legal transactions in which executives and board members buy or sell shares of their own company. These transactions are reported to the SEC and are publicly available.

Viking Therapeutics Short Selling 2026: 21.4% Sold Short

Extremely shorted: 21.4% of the free float
Short % of free float
21.4%
Assessment
Extremely shorted
Short squeeze risk
Very High
Data source
EODHD
Reported about twice a month

Short interest over time: Viking Therapeutics

0.0%12.3%24.7%
5/308/510/12
21.4% today (extremely high)Last 30 days: +1.3 percentage pointsMeasured over 135 days
What does the trend tell you?
Short interest is rising. It is up 1.3 percentage points over the last month and now stands at 21.4%. More investors have borrowed Viking Therapeutics and sold it, expecting the price to fall.

It cuts both ways: if they are wrong and the price rises, they have to buy the share back — and those purchases can push the price up further on their own. That is called a short squeeze. That is not in itself a signal about what the price will do — we cannot predict the market, and short interest is only one number among many. But it does say something about what the large players are doing.
The stock has an extremely high share of short selling. More than 20% of the freely traded shares are sold short, which is unusual and can point to great skepticism among institutional investors. The risk of a short squeeze on positive news is considerable.

What does this mean for you as an investor?
A short interest of 21.4% means that 21.4% of the freely traded shares in Viking Therapeutics have been borrowed and sold by investors betting on falling prices. On positive surprises (e.g. a strong earnings report), short sellers can be forced to buy back shares quickly to close their positions, which can cause a short squeeze with sharp price gains in a short time.

The next potential catalyst is the earnings report on Oct 28, 2026. With a short interest of 21.4%, the report can trigger considerable volatility.

Short interest comes from our data provider EODHD. The figure is reported about twice a month; we check it every trading day.
Short Interest Scale
0% 2% 5% 10% 20%+
Low Moderate High Very High Extreme
▲
21.4%

When Does Viking Therapeutics Report Earnings – Next Date: Oct 28, 2026

The next earnings report from Viking Therapeutics is scheduled for October 28, 2026, after the market closes. This report covers the third quarter (Q3), which ended on September 30, 2026.



Technical Analysis of Viking Therapeutics 2026 – Signal: Strong Sell

Overall Technical Signal: Strong Sell

Based on trend analysis (SMA50/SMA200) and MACD trend (positive/negative on a daily + weekly basis). Updated October 17, 2026.

Technical analysis of Viking Therapeutics (VKTX.US) – RSI 36, MACD negative (bearish), daily candlestick chart October 2026
Viking Therapeutics technical analysis – candlestick chart with RSI, MACD and volume profile. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

Trend Analysis of Viking Therapeutics, Inc

Viking Therapeutics, Inc is in a short-term downtrend. The price of $25.17 is 18.6% below the 20-day average ($30.91). Medium term, the picture is negative: the price is 21.8% below the 50-day average ($32.17). Long term, the stock is 23.2% below the 200-day average ($32.76), which signals a long-term downtrend.

Death Cross: The 50-day average (32.17) is below the 200-day average (32.76), which is a classic bearish signal for Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

Is Viking Therapeutics, Inc overbought or oversold?

Viking Therapeutics, Inc has an RSI of 35.9. The stock sits in the lower part of the neutral zone, which points to weak momentum without being oversold. In the current downtrend, be careful about reading this as a buying opportunity.

MACD Analysis for Viking Therapeutics, Inc

Daily MACD: MACD is negative (-1.894), which means the short-term trend is bearish (the 12-day EMA is below the 26-day EMA). MACD is below the signal line (-1.406) by 0.488, which confirms growing negative momentum in the downtrend.

Weekly MACD: MACD5 is negative (-0.845), which indicates a broader bearish long-term trend. MACD5 is below the signal line (0.004) by 0.849, which confirms continued negative long-term momentum.

Overall MACD assessment: Both the daily and weekly MACD are negative and below their signal lines. Trend and momentum are negative across time horizons – the strongest bearish signal.

Risk Profile for Viking Therapeutics, Inc

Viking Therapeutics, Inc has an annual standard deviation of 68.1%, which classifies the stock as Speculative. Sizeable price swings are normal, and the stock requires a higher risk tolerance.

Overall Technical Conclusion for Viking Therapeutics, Inc

Trend: Negative. The price trades below SMA50 and SMA200.

MACD trend (zero line): Daily bearish (-1.894). Weekly bearish (-0.845).

MACD momentum (signal): Daily falling. Weekly falling.

RSI: 35.9 – neutral.

Technical signal: Strong Sell

The price is in a downtrend (below SMA50/SMA200) and MACD is negative on both a daily and weekly basis. Avoid buying and consider closing existing positions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Viking Therapeutics stock in 2026

Should you buy Viking Therapeutics stock now?
No, the technical signal for Viking Therapeutics is currently Strong Sell. Viking Therapeutics trades at $25.17 as of Oct 17, 2026. The technical analysis shows the following: MACD is negative (bearish trend) at -1.894 with falling momentum (signal: -1.406); RSI is at 35.9 (neutral zone); the stock is in a short-term downtrend (price below the 20-day average). The stock is in a broader downtrend (below SMA50/SMA200). Buying in a downtrend is generally not recommended. This is a technical observation based on current data, not investment advice.
What is the price target for Viking Therapeutics stock?
There is currently no active analyst price target for Viking Therapeutics.
Is Viking Therapeutics a dividend stock?
No, Viking Therapeutics does not currently pay a dividend to shareholders. The company reinvests its profits in growth instead of paying dividends.
What is the risk of Viking Therapeutics stock?
Viking Therapeutics is rated as a stock in the risk category Speculative. the annual standard deviation is 68.1%, which classifies the stock as Speculative.
Is Viking Therapeutics overvalued?
Viking Therapeutics has the following valuation ratios: a P/B ratio of 11.9.
Is Viking Therapeutics overbought?
No, Viking Therapeutics is not overbought. RSI is at 35.9 (neutral zone). The technical indicators show: RSI is at 35.9 (neutral zone between 30-70), which signals neither overbought nor oversold. In addition, the price is 18.6% below the 20-day average (short-term downtrend). In addition, MACD is negative with falling momentum (bearish).
When is the next Viking Therapeutics earnings report?
Viking Therapeutics reports its next earnings on October 28, 2026. The stock currently trades at $25.17.
Is Viking Therapeutics shorted?
Yes, Viking Therapeutics is shorted with 21.4% of the free float sold short. This is an extremely high level of short selling, which points to great skepticism among institutional investors. The risk of a short squeeze on positive news or earnings is very high. The figure comes from our data provider EODHD, is reported about twice a month, and we check it every trading day.
Are insiders buying Viking Therapeutics stock?
No, insiders are not buying Viking Therapeutics shares – they are net sellers. Over the last 3 months, insiders have made 0 purchases and 3 sales. On a net basis, 6,268,442 $ worth of shares were sold. Across the last 20 reported transactions, the split is 2 purchases and 18 sales, with a net 31,113,137 $ sold. Active sellers include ZANTE GREG, Mancini Marianna, Lian Brian and others. Insider selling can have several explanations (e.g. planned 10b5-1 sales, portfolio diversification or taxes), but sustained selling by several insiders is worth watching closely.
Is Viking Therapeutics a good stock?
Based on our total score, Viking Therapeutics is rated as a disastrous stock with a total score of 12 out of 100. The stock scores very low on value, quality and momentum – it is among the worst in our database. The score is made up of Value: 3/100, Quality: 6/100, Momentum: 29/100. Whether now is the time to buy is a separate question: the technical signal is Strong Sell. Whether Viking Therapeutics is a good investment depends on your time horizon, risk profile and portfolio. This is a data-driven observation, not investment advice.
What is the outlook for Viking Therapeutics stock?
The outlook for Viking Therapeutics based on current data: the stock is in a downtrend (below SMA50 and SMA200); the next earnings report is due on Oct 28, 2026, which can move the price. Keep in mind that stock prices are affected by many factors, including earnings reports, the economy and market sentiment. Past returns are no guarantee of future returns.
Why is Viking Therapeutics stock falling?
Viking Therapeutics is falling right now. The technical indicators show: the price is 18.6% below the 20-day average; MACD is negative with falling momentum (bearish signal); short interest is 21.4% (high – many are betting on a decline); insiders have mostly been selling the stock recently. For the latest context, see our technical analysis and insider section above.
How high can Viking Therapeutics go?
There is currently no active analyst price target for Viking Therapeutics. The stock has traded between $25.77 and $43.15 over the last 52 weeks. The price is 41.7% below the 52-week high, which can indicate potential if the underlying fundamentals are intact. Keep in mind that price targets are estimates, not guarantees. Actual price moves depend on earnings, market conditions and unexpected events.
How low can Viking Therapeutics fall?
The stock has traded as low as $25.77 over the last 52 weeks — that is 2.4% below the current price of $25.17. The biggest decline (drawdown) in the same period was 40.3% from high to low. Within a year, the price typically swings about ±68.1% (standard deviation — a measure of price swings). A difficult year could therefore mean a further decline of that size. Remember: past price swings are no guarantee for the future — a stock can fall further than the last 52 weeks suggest, especially on profit warnings, sector crises or a market crash. Use stop-loss orders and spread your portfolio to limit losses in single stocks.
What does Viking Therapeutics do?
**What Viking Therapeutics does** Viking Therapeutics (ticker: VKTX) is a company that develops new medicines for metabolic and hormone-related diseases. It does not sell products yet. Instead, it earns money by researching and testing drugs, with the goal of eventually bring... The company belongs to the Healthcare sector, more specifically the Biotechnology industry, is headquartered in United States, and is traded on the USA Stocks. See the key figures, earnings history and price development above to evaluate Viking Therapeutics as an investment.
Did Viking Therapeutics raise or lower its guidance?
Over the last 60 days we have not registered a guidance raise or cut from Viking Therapeutics. The company can still adjust its guidance at quarterly reports or between reports — see the earnings history above.
Is Viking Therapeutics making money or losing money?
We have no current profitability data for Viking Therapeutics. See the latest report in the earnings history above.
Can Viking Therapeutics go bankrupt?
The bankruptcy risk of Viking Therapeutics is rated as elevated. Altman Z2 (a model for assessing financial distress) is -5.07 — that places the company in the weak zone. This is a probability based on the numbers, not a verdict — bankruptcy is not imminent. But the balance sheet is measurably weaker than average, so watch the debt, liquidity and possible capital raises. The Piotroski score (financial health 0-9, higher is better) is 1 — which is weak. Debt relative to equity is 3% (low). Remember: models like Altman Z2 are statistical — unexpected shocks (fraud, a sector collapse, lawsuits) can always happen. Spread your portfolio.
Does Viking Therapeutics have a lot of debt?
No, Viking Therapeutics has low debt relative to equity. The debt-to-equity ratio (D/E — interest-bearing debt to equity) is 3%. For the healthcare sector, anything below 80% counts as low debt. In healthcare, 80-150% is typical — large pharma companies carry debt for research and acquisitions. Note: D/E levels are highly sector-specific — a bank at 300% debt is normal, a tech stock at 300% is extremely leveraged. Always compare with similar companies in the same sector.

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