Laidlaw Securities has reiterated its Buy recommendation on Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX), maintaining a $110.00 price target after the biotech released its fourth-quarter 2025 financial results and accompanying corporate updates. The target implies substantial upside relative to the current market price of $28.55 and sits alongside a broader analyst consensus score of 1.39, categorized as Strong Buy.
The research house emphasized what it sees as more defined clinical pathways for VK2735, Viking’s investigational obesity treatment. Laidlaw noted that the company intends to complete the VANQUISH studies evaluating the subcutaneous formulation of VK2735 while also advancing an oral formulation into Phase III testing in the second half of 2026. Laidlaw projected that topline results from the oral Phase III could potentially be available in 2028.
Laidlaw additionally pointed to strategic development options under consideration, including the exploration of maintenance regimens as part of the treatment approach for VK2735. The firm underscored the addition of experienced commercial management to Viking’s team as a constructive step that could broaden pathways to realize the program’s shareholder value.
Financially, InvestingPro data cited by analysts shows Viking holding more cash than debt and reporting a current ratio of 28.34, a liquidity profile Laidlaw said supports the company’s planned development activities.
Viking disclosed its quarter and corporate update on Thursday after the market close. The company reported an earnings per share (EPS) of -$1.38 for the fourth quarter of 2025, missing the forecasted -$0.9 and amounting to a 53.33% negative surprise versus expectations. Despite the shortfall in earnings, Viking stated it will continue pursuing its strategic objectives in the obesity treatment market, leveraging its product pipeline as the driver of future growth.
Analyst target ranges reported via InvestingPro span from $36 to $125, indicating a wide range of expectations among market participants. Laidlaw’s $110 target situates toward the upper end of that distribution.
Context for investors
The combination of an ambitious price target, clarified clinical timelines for VK2735, and an apparent liquidity cushion form the basis for Laidlaw’s maintained Buy rating. At the same time, the recent quarterly earnings miss underscores that operational execution and near-term financial performance remain areas of investor attention.