Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIR) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIR) have been assigned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the nine analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $20.8750.

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Leerink Partners increased their price target on Vir Biotechnology from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Wall Street Zen lowered Vir Biotechnology from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Vir Biotechnology from $23.00 to $27.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, June 11th.

Vir Biotechnology Trading Down 2.2%

Shares of NASDAQ:VIR opened at $9.40 on Friday. Vir Biotechnology has a twelve month low of $4.16 and a twelve month high of $11.66. The company’s 50 day moving average is $9.33 and its 200 day moving average is $8.73. The company has a market cap of $1.59 billion, a PE ratio of -3.00 and a beta of 1.62.

Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The company reported ($0.85) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.01) by ($0.84). Vir Biotechnology had a negative return on equity of 53.31% and a negative net margin of 638.88%.The business had revenue of ($0.03) million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $55.49 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted ($0.88) earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Vir Biotechnology will post -1.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other Vir Biotechnology news, Director Janet Napolitano sold 3,200 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.45, for a total value of $30,240.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 21,216 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $200,491.20. The trade was a 13.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Vicki L. Sato sold 22,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.05, for a total value of $221,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 1,078,391 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,837,829.55. The trade was a 2.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 25,579 shares of company stock worth $254,922. 2.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vir Biotechnology

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in VIR. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Vir Biotechnology in the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Vir Biotechnology during the third quarter valued at $38,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its position in Vir Biotechnology by 25.9% during the fourth quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 6,761 shares of the company’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 1,390 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. increased its holdings in Vir Biotechnology by 1,418.7% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 7,062 shares of the company’s stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 6,597 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC increased its holdings in Vir Biotechnology by 23.0% in the fourth quarter. CWM LLC now owns 8,804 shares of the company’s stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 1,646 shares in the last quarter. 65.32% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Vir Biotechnology

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.