Viking Therapeutics recently announced a net loss of USD 35 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, a significant increase from the previous year's USD 25 million. The company's basic loss per share also rose to USD 0.32 from USD 0.25 in the same period. Over the past week, Viking's stock price dropped 12%, aligning with broader market volatility influenced by newly imposed U.S. tariffs that have also caused declines in major indexes like the S&P 500 and Dow Jones. The market, having dropped 2.5% in the same period, reflects global trade tensions and concerns over inflation that have impacted investor sentiment. The results and upcoming challenges highlight potential pressure on Viking as it navigates an economic landscape fraught with uncertainty, mirroring pressures faced by key players in both the healthcare and broader stock sectors.

Get an in-depth perspective on Viking Therapeutics's performance by reading our analysis here.

Over the last three years, Viking Therapeutics has delivered a very large total return of 726.37%, highlighting significant growth in its share price and dividends. This performance reflects the company's strategic initiatives and key developments. One crucial factor was the successful completion of a follow-on equity offering in February 2024, raising substantial funds of US$550.04 million. This bolstered the company's resources, enabling further investment in its pipeline.

Viking's advancements in product development, particularly with its VK2735 and VK2809 trials, played a pivotal role. The initiation of a Phase 2 trial for VK2735 and promising Phase 2b results for VK2809 showed strong therapeutic potential in obesity and NASH treatments, respectively. Additionally, the company's inclusion in major indices like Russell 1000 in July 2024 increased its visibility among investors. Despite recent year challenges, these developments laid a foundation for its impressive three-year return.

• See how Viking Therapeutics measures up with our analysis of its intrinsic value versus market price.
• Uncover the uncertainties that could impact Viking Therapeutics' future growth—read our risk evaluation here.
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include NasdaqCM:VKTX.

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