Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) Trading Up 8.8% - What's Next?

On Tuesday, Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) saw its stock rise by 8.8%. The shares reached a high of $35.00 before closing at $35.90. During the trading session, approximately 3,115,410 shares were exchanged, which is a significant drop of 75% compared to the average daily volume of 12,516,600 shares. The stock had recently closed the previous day at $32.99.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Recent evaluations from several analysts have provided mixed insights on Moderna's stock. On December 18th, Argus downgraded the company from a "buy" to a "hold" rating. Conversely, Berenberg Bank raised its price target for Moderna from $33.00 to $42.00 and maintained a "hold" rating as of January 16th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a "hold" rating back on November 8th. Meanwhile, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target from $59.00 to $45.00 and issued an "underweight" rating on November 26th. In a more positive note, HSBC upgraded Moderna from a "hold" to a "buy" rating with a new target price of $58.00 as of November 18th. Currently, among analysts, there are four sell ratings, fifteen hold ratings, three buy ratings, and one strong buy rating. MarketBeat.com cites a consensus rating of "Hold" with an average target price of $60.63.

Moderna Stock Performance

After facing a challenging year, it raises the question: is Moderna stock on the verge of a rebound? The company boasts a market capitalization of $12.98 billion. Its price-to-earnings ratio stands at -3.63, with a beta factor of 1.59. The stock's 50-day moving average is noted at $38.17, while the 200-day moving average is around $53.20.

Insider Transactions at Moderna

Recently, insider Shannon Thyme Klinger sold 1,418 shares of Moderna stock on November 29th, with an average selling price of $42.79, totaling approximately $60,676.22. Post-sale, Klinger now holds 19,717 shares valued at around $843,690.43, marking a decrease of 6.71% in ownership. This transaction was disclosed in a report to the SEC, which can be accessed through the respective official channels. Over the last quarter, insiders sold a total of 2,664 shares worth $115,210, and currently, insiders own about 15.70% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investor Activities

Recent movements among institutional investors show increased interest in Moderna's stock. Forum Financial Management LP initiated a new position worth about $225,000 in the fourth quarter. Blue Sky Capital Consultants Group Inc. also made a fresh investment valued at approximately $606,000 within the same timeframe. Furthermore, GF Fund Management CO. LTD. took a stake worth $372,000, and Vega Investment Solutions and Alpine Global Management LLC invested $45,000 and $224,000, respectively. Altogether, institutional investors hold roughly 75.33% of Moderna's shares.

About Moderna

Moderna, Inc. is a prominent biotechnology company that specializes in the discovery, development, and commercialization of messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines targeting infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases, autoimmune conditions, and cardiovascular diseases. The company operates in various regions, including the U.S. and Europe, and offers several respiratory vaccines such as those for COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus. Additionally, it develops vaccines targeting latent diseases like cytomegalovirus and public health concerns including Zika and monkeypox.

Moderna, Stocks, Trading