Analyst Ratings February 23, 2026

Truist Sticks With Buy on Axsome, Cites Sales Push Ahead of April FDA Decision

Analyst keeps $200 target as company scales commercial force and reports strong recent results

By Derek Hwang AXSM
Truist Sticks With Buy on Axsome, Cites Sales Push Ahead of April FDA Decision
AXSM

Truist Securities reiterated a Buy rating and a $200 price target on Axsome Therapeutics, pointing to a 300-representative sales-force expansion ahead of an April 30 FDA decision on the ADA treatment and to recent financial performance that supports commercial momentum. The firm highlighted potential synergies across Axsome's product portfolio and flagged operating expense discipline as a focus for investors.

Key Points

  • Truist reiterated a Buy rating and kept a $200 price target for Axsome Therapeutics; analyst price targets on the stock range from $153 to $260.
  • Axsome is expanding its sales force by 300 representatives ahead of an April 30 FDA decision for its ADA treatment; the drug is expected to reach market roughly one quarter after possible approval.
  • Recent corporate performance includes Auvelity revenues of $155.1 million in the fourth quarter, an 8% increase in prescriptions to about 225,000, and strong margin and revenue growth metrics that underscore reported financial efficiency.

Truist Reaffirms Buy and $200 Target

Truist Securities has reiterated a Buy rating on Axsome Therapeutics and maintained a $200 price target. The firm noted Axsome's market capitalization of $8.73 billion and observed that analyst price targets on the stock have ranged from $153 to $260.

Commercial Preparations Ahead of Regulatory Milestone

Truist highlighted Axsome's decision to grow its sales organization by 300 representatives in advance of an April 30 FDA decision date for its ADA treatment. The firm said management expects that, if approved, the ADA therapy could reach the market roughly one quarter after receiving regulatory clearance. The sales-force expansion was described as positioning the company to realize commercial synergies with Auvelity, its major depressive disorder treatment, and to capitalize on any market shifts following an ADA approval.

Key opinion leaders interviewed by Truist indicated that AXS-05 would be prescribed ahead of antipsychotics, including Rexulti, if the ADA treatment receives approval. The broker emphasized that such shifts in prescribing patterns could reinforce Axsome's commercial opportunities across its portfolio.

Financial Efficiency and Expense Focus

Truist singled out operating expenses as a focal point for investors, noting that in 2025 revenue has grown three times faster than operating expenses. The company’s recent financial profile includes a reported 91.86% gross profit margin and a 65.83% increase in revenue over the last twelve months, figures the firm used to illustrate Axsome’s reported financial efficiency.

Pipeline and Potential Product Overlap

Axsome is expected to file a new drug application for AXS-12, a treatment candidate for narcolepsy, this quarter. Truist commented that AXS-12 could share commercial synergies with Sunosi, suggesting opportunities to leverage existing commercial channels if the NDA is submitted and later approved.

Valuation Signal and Subscriber Tools

An external platform analysis cited in the research indicated the stock currently trades below its assessed Fair Value and appears on that platform’s Most Undervalued list. That analysis also noted that subscribers to the service have access to 10 additional proprietary tips and detailed financial metrics for AXSM.

Recent Earnings and Market Response

Axsome reported fourth-quarter results that outpaced analyst expectations. The company confirmed Auvelity revenues of $155.1 million for the quarter, consistent with a prior pre-announcement. Management reported an 8% rise in prescriptions to approximately 225,000, attributing the increase to growth within the primary care physician segment. Despite the stronger-than-expected results, the stock dipped slightly in pre-market trading following the announcement.

Other Analyst Movements

In separate coverage, TD Cowen raised its price target on Axsome to $215 from $195 while maintaining a Buy rating, a move described as reflecting optimism about Auvelity’s continued growth.


This collection of developments - regulatory timing, commercial expansion, recent revenue strength, and other analysts’ actions - frames current investor attention on Axsome as it approaches a key FDA decision and advances its pipeline.

Risks

  • Regulatory uncertainty tied to the April 30 FDA decision for the ADA treatment - a negative outcome would affect near-term commercialization plans and sales-force deployment.
  • Operating expense management remains a focus despite revenue growth outpacing expenses in 2025; cost control will be important to sustain reported financial efficiency metrics.
  • Market reaction to results can be muted or negative even after beats, as evidenced by a slight pre-market share decline following the fourth-quarter report.

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