It took bird flu and dreams of AI-assisted cancer vaccines to cue Moderna’s comeback
Moderna’s share price is up 18% in the past week as it becomes increasingly clear that selling vaccines may still be a good business.
The vaccine maker benefited from two recent tailwinds: a $590 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a bird flu vaccine, and AI hype around its potentially cancer-treating vaccines.
That comes as Moderna has struggled to live up to investors’ expectations after its Covid vaccine revenue dried up. Even with recent gains, Moderna is down about 60% over the past year. At about $43 a share, it’s a fraction of its September 2021 peak of $449.
Moderna reports earnings for the last quarter of 2024 on February 14. Analysts polled by FactSet expect a net loss of $2.74 earnings per share. Earlier this month, the company lowered its guidance for 2025.
Meanwhile, President Trump’s pick to lead HHS, Robert F. Kennedy, is a staunch vaccine skeptic, and his nomination initially spooked Moderna investors. Kennedy has recently toned down his anti-vaccine rhetoric as his Senate confirmation hearing approaches.
Moderna reports earnings for the last quarter of 2024 on February 14. Analysts polled by FactSet expect a net loss of $2.74 earnings per share. Earlier this month, the company lowered its guidance for 2025.
Meanwhile, President Trump’s pick to lead HHS, Robert F. Kennedy, is a staunch vaccine skeptic, and his nomination initially spooked Moderna investors. Kennedy has recently toned down his anti-vaccine rhetoric as his Senate confirmation hearing approaches.
