Moderna Option Alert: Mar 20 $25 Puts at the Bid: 1000 vs 3684 OI

Moderna Option Alert: Mar 20 $25 Puts at the Bid: 1000 @ $5.25 vs 3684 OI; Ref=$26.89

Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) Stock

MODERNA INC

Moderna

Moderna is a commercial-stage biotech that was founded in 2010 and had its initial public offering in December 2018. The firm's mRNA technology was rapidly validated with its covid vaccine, which was authorized in the United States in December 2020. Moderna had 40 mRNA development candidates in clinical development as of September 2024. Programs span a wide range of therapeutic areas, including infectious disease, oncology, cardiovascular disease, and rare genetic diseases.

Moderna Inc

<a href="https://www.barrons.com/articles/moderna-vaccine-kennedy-flu-86291bdb" title="https://www.barrons.com/articles/moderna-vaccine-kennedy-flu-86291bdb">https://www.barrons.com/articles/moderna-vaccine-kennedy-flu-86291bdb</a>

News

MRNA

'Moderna Is Imperiled by Kennedy's Health Department. It May Run Out of Cash.' - Barron's

The President Donald Trump administration terminated a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43999106/trumps-officials-to-re-consider-modernas-590-million-bird-flu-vaccine-funding-hhs-cites-biden-administrations-failed-oversight">nearly $600 million contract</a> to Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) for developing an mRNA-based bird flu vaccine, ending a key former President Joe Biden-era pandemic preparedness initiative.
What Happened: Health and Human Services officials canceled Moderna&#8217;s $590 million contract for bird flu vaccine development, the company announced on Wednesday.
Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel stated: &#8220;While the termination of funding from HHS adds uncertainty, we are pleased by the robust immune response and safety profile observed in this interim analysis of the Phase 1/2 study of our H5 avian flu vaccine and we will explore alternative paths forward for the program.&#8221;
The company reported that clinical testing in approximately 300 adults showed participants achieved nearly 98% immunity within three weeks of the second vaccine dose, with the treatment being generally well-tolerated.
Trump administration officials had previously indicated they were reviewing all contracts from the prior administration. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.-led HHS criticized the review as necessary due to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43999106/trumps-officials-to-re-consider-modernas-590-million-bird-flu-vaccine-funding-hhs-cites-biden-administrations-failed-oversight">&#8220;four years of the Biden administration&#8217;s </a>failed oversight&#8221; of mRNA vaccine expenditures.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45662786/boeing-ceo-kelly-ortberg-targets-year-end-certification-for-737-max-7-max-10-amid-faa-scrutiny-says-variants-are-very-important-to-customers-and-backlog">Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg Targets Year-End Certification For 737 MAX-7, MAX-10 Amid FAA Scrutiny, Says Variants Are &#8216;Very Important&#8217; To Customers And Backlog</a>
Why It Matters: The contract termination threatens pandemic preparedness as H5N1 continues spreading. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority awarded the January funds to create defenses against strains circulating in livestock and birds. This followed an earlier $176 million bird flu vaccine development award granted in July.
 The CDC has confirmed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/01/43046294/bird-flu-raising-red-flags-among-health-officials-cdc-urges-faster-testing?utm_source=chatgpt.com">67 human bird flu cases since 2024</a>, with the first U.S. death reported in Louisiana, highlighting the ongoing public health threat.
Other vaccine manufacturers are also developing bird flu vaccines, including Novavax Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVAX#NASDAQ">NVAX</a>) and CureVac N.V. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVAC#NASDAQ">CVAC</a>), both with vaccines in clinical trials.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45662927/chinas-deepseek-quietly-drops-r1-ai-update-that-nearly-matches-openai-o4-mini-and-beats-elon-musks-grok-3-mini">China&#8217;s DeepSeek Quietly Drops R1 AI Update That Nearly Matches OpenAI o4 Mini—And Beats Elon Musk&#8217;s Grok 3 Mini</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo by pedro7merino via Shutterstock

Biotech

Equities

Government

Regulations

Health Care

Politics

Markets

CVAC

NVAX

Trump Administration Terminates $590 Million Moderna Bird Flu Vaccine Deal, Dismantling Biden-Era Pandemic Preparedness Effort

<a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/29/hhs-cancel-moderna-bird-flu-vaccine?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=editorial" title="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/29/hhs-cancel-moderna-bird-flu-vaccine?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=editorial">https://www.axios.com/2025/05/29/hhs-cancel-moderna-bird-flu-vaccine?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=editorial</a>

Contracts

'HHS Cancels Moderna's $590M Bird Flu Vaccine Award' - Axios

Phase 1/2 H5 avian flu vaccine study shows positive interim results
Company has been notified that HHS will terminate Moderna's award for late-stage development of pre-pandemic influenza vaccines
CAMBRIDGE, MA / <a href="https://www.accessnewswire.com/">ACCESS Newswire</a> / May 28, 2025 / Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) today announced positive interim data from a Phase 1/2 clinical study (<a href="https://pr.report/aw4q">NCT05972174</a>) evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of its investigational pandemic influenza vaccine, mRNA-1018, in approximately 300 healthy adults aged 18 years and older. The interim results focus on a vaccine candidate targeting the H5 avian influenza virus subtype.
The Company had previously expected to advance the program to late-stage development with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); however, today Moderna received notice that HHS will terminate the award for the late-stage development and right to purchase pre-pandemic influenza vaccines.

General

Moderna Reports Interim Phase 1/2 Results For H5 Avian Flu Vaccine mRNA-1018 In 300 Adults; HHS Terminates Award For Late-Stage Development And Pre-Pandemic Vaccine Purchase Rights

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders will search for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges heavily from its normal worth. High amounts of trading activity could push option prices to exaggerated or underestimated levels. 
Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>TEM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$71.1K</td>
<td>2.1K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRNA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/06/25</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
<td>$68.0K</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GILD</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/06/25</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$44.0K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td>960</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>REGN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$630.00</td>
<td>$119.6K</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>705</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VEEV</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$65.7K</td>
<td>534</td>
<td>589</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NVS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$28.0K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
<td>379</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MDT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>08/15/25</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$42.5K</td>
<td>883</td>
<td>372</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMGN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$295.00</td>
<td>$40.2K</td>
<td>985</td>
<td>344</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ABBV</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
<td>$25.8K</td>
<td>5.0K</td>
<td>319</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>COR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$280.00</td>
<td>$36.4K</td>
<td>762</td>
<td>200</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• For TEM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEM#NASDAQ">TEM</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 51 day(s) on July 18, 2025. This event was a transfer of 89 contract(s) at a $55.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $71.1K, with a price of $799.0 per contract. There were 2196 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1320 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MRNA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 9 day(s) on June 6, 2025. This event was a transfer of 1000 contract(s) at a $25.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 7 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $68.0K, with a price of $68.0 per contract. There were 2289 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1083 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For GILD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GILD#NASDAQ">GILD</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 9 day(s) on June 6, 2025. This event was a transfer of 958 contract(s) at a $100.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $44.0K, with a price of $46.0 per contract. There were 1139 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 960 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding REGN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/REGN#NASDAQ">REGN</a>), we observe a call option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 51 day(s) on July 18, 2025. Parties traded 46 contract(s) at a $630.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $119.6K, with a price of $2600.0 per contract. There were 6 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 705 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding VEEV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VEEV#NYSE">VEEV</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 23 day(s) on June 20, 2025. Parties traded 212 contract(s) at a $210.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 45 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $65.7K, with a price of $310.0 per contract. There were 534 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 589 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For NVS (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVS#NYSE">NVS</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 23 day(s) on June 20, 2025. This event was a transfer of 224 contract(s) at a $115.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 9 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $28.0K, with a price of $125.0 per contract. There were 1879 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 379 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MDT (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDT#NYSE">MDT</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 79 day(s) on August 15, 2025. This event was a transfer of 100 contract(s) at a $80.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $42.5K, with a price of $425.0 per contract. There were 883 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 372 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding AMGN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 23 day(s) on June 20, 2025. Parties traded 134 contract(s) at a $295.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $40.2K, with a price of $300.0 per contract. There were 985 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 344 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ABBV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 23 day(s) on June 20, 2025. This event was a transfer of 137 contract(s) at a $195.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.8K, with a price of $189.0 per contract. There were 5038 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 319 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding COR (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COR#NYSE">COR</a>), we observe a put option sweep with neutral sentiment. It expires in 23 day(s) on June 20, 2025. Parties traded 135 contract(s) at a $280.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 27 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $36.4K, with a price of $270.0 per contract. There were 762 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 200 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

ABBV

AMGN

GILD

REGN

VEEV

10 Health Care Stocks Whale Activity In Today's Session

<a href="https://nypost.com/2025/05/27/us-news/new-covid-19-strain-from-china-that-saw-massive-hospitalizations-spike-spreads-to-us/" title="https://nypost.com/2025/05/27/us-news/new-covid-19-strain-from-china-that-saw-massive-hospitalizations-spike-spreads-to-us/">https://nypost.com/2025/05/27/us-news/new-covid-19-strain-from-china-that-saw-massive-hospitalizations-spike-spreads-to-us/</a>

Global

BNTX

'New COVID strain from China that led to massive spike in hospitalizations has spread to the US — including NYC' - NY Post

The U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that the COVID-19 vaccine will no longer be among the recommended vaccines for pregnant women and healthy children on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immunization schedule</a>.
Kennedy announced the change in a&nbsp;video&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/seckennedy/status/1927368440811008138?s=46&amp;t=dtUiyC3dUs5yGRgT9qYHWg" rel="noreferrer noopener">posted</a> to the social media platform X.
&#8220;As of today, the Covid vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC recommended immunization schedule,&#8221; Kennedy said. &#8220;Last year, the Biden administration urged healthy children to get yet another COVID shot, despite the lack of any clinical data to support the repeat booster strategy in children.&#8221;
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/05/45254051/vinay-prasads-appointment-to-fdas-cber-triggers-questions-over-future-of-cell-and-gene-therapy-regulation" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vinay Prasad&#8217;s Appointment To FDA&#8217;s CBER Triggers Questions Over Future Of Cell And Gene Therapy Regulation</a>
He was joined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.
As of Tuesday morning, the immunization schedule posted online had not yet been changed.
In 2021, Kennedy <a target="_blank" href="https://www.regulationsa.gov/document/FDA-2021-P-0460-0001" rel="noreferrer noopener">filed</a> a citizen petition&nbsp;requesting the FDA to revoke Emergency Use Authorizations for existing COVID-19 vaccines and refrain from approving and licensing them.
The update follows the FDA&#8217;s changes to COVID-19 vaccine requirements, limiting annual booster approvals to older and high-risk Americans while implementing stricter clinical trial <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45537919/fda-limits-annual-covid-19-boosters-to-high-risk-americans-demands-new-trials-for-healthy-adults-in-policy-shift-under-rfk-jr" rel="noreferrer noopener">requirements for healthy adults</a>.
The FDA will now require new clinical trials for approval of annual COVID-19 boosters for healthy Americans under age 65, effectively restricting their availability to older adults and those at risk of severe illness, according to FDA Commissioner&nbsp;Marty Makary&nbsp;and top U.S. vaccines regulator&nbsp;Vinay Prasad&nbsp;in the New England Journal of Medicine, reported Reuters.
Last week, the FDA&#8217;s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/industry-biologics/covid-19-vaccines-2025-2026-formula-use-united-states-beginning-fall-2025" rel="noreferrer noopener">voted</a> to recommend a monovalent JN.1-lineage vaccine composition.
Based on the totality of the evidence, the FDA has advised the manufacturers of the approved COVID-19 vaccines that to more closely match currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 viruses, the COVID-19 vaccines for use in the United States beginning in fall 2025 should be monovalent JN.1-lineage-based COVID-19 vaccines (2025-2026 Formula), preferentially using the LP.8.1 strain.&nbsp;
On Friday, Moderna Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) submitted an application to the FDA to review its Spikevax 2025-2026 formula, targeting the SARS-<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/05/ac45595488/moderna-files-fda-application-for-the-lp-8-1-targeting-covid-19-vaccine" rel="noreferrer noopener">CoV-2 variant LP.8.1</a>.
Also, Novavax Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVAX#NASDAQ">NVAX</a>) received limited FDA approval for its COVID-19 vaccine, Nuvaxovid, marking a regulatory milestone and unlocking a&nbsp;$175 million milestone payment&nbsp;from partner&nbsp;Sanofi SA&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNY#NASDAQ">SNY</a>)
The approval came after a six-week delay as regulators <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45295534/novavax-reports-q1-profit-as-revenue-surges-to-over-600-million-and-lower-costs-raises-2025-forecasts" rel="noreferrer noopener">sought additional data</a>.
The vaccine is now authorized for people aged 65 and older and for individuals 12 and up with underlying medical conditions that increase the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45496095/novavax-scores-key-fda-win-shares-jump-19-as-sanofi-milestone-unlock" rel="noreferrer noopener">risk of severe COVID-19</a>.
Price Action: MRNA stock is down 2.86% at $27.01 at the last check Tuesday.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45622528/kfc-betting-2-billion-on-britains-fried-chicken-boom" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KFC Betting $2 Billion On Britain&#8217;s Fried Chicken Boom</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Large Cap

Movers

Trading Ideas

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Says CDC Drops COVID Vaccine For 'Healthy' Pregnant Women, Children

<a href="https://x.com/seckennedy/status/1927368440811008138?s=46&amp;t=dtUiyC3dUs5yGRgT9qYHWg">https://x.com/seckennedy/status/1927368440811008138?s=46&amp;t=dtUiyC3dUs5yGRgT9qYHWg</a>

US Health Secretary Kennedy Posts On X "Today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from @CDCgov recommended immunization schedule. Bottom line: it's common sense and it's good science. We are now one step closer to realizing @POTUS's promise to Make America Healthy Again."

Moderna Files Application To FDA For Review Of Its Spikevax 2025-2026 Formula Targeting The LP.8.1 Variant

Throughout the last three months, 8 analysts have evaluated Moderna (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>), offering a diverse set of opinions from bullish to bearish.
Summarizing their recent assessments, the table below illustrates the evolving sentiments in the past 30 days and compares them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have set 12-month price targets for Moderna, revealing an average target of $37.62, a high estimate of $70.00, and a low estimate of $26.00. Observing a downward trend, the current average is 16.94% lower than the prior average price target of $45.29. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1747951259_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Breaking Down Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Examination</h2>
An in-depth analysis of recent analyst actions unveils how financial experts perceive Moderna. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Jessica Fye</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$26.00</td>
<td>$33.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eliana Merle</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$78.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gena Wang</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Luca Issi</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$28.00</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cory Kasimov</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>In-Line</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matthew Harrison</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
<td>$39.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jessica Fye</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$33.00</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Geoff Meacham</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Moderna. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Moderna compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for Moderna's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
Assessing these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators can provide a comprehensive overview of Moderna's market position. Stay informed and make well-judged decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MRNA/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Moderna analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Get to Know Moderna Better</h2>
Moderna is a commercial-stage biotech that was founded in 2010 and had its initial public offering in December 2018. The firm's mRNA technology was rapidly validated with its covid vaccine, which was authorized in the United States in December 2020. Moderna had 40 mRNA development candidates in clinical development as of September 2024. Programs span a wide range of therapeutic areas, including infectious disease, oncology, cardiovascular disease, and rare genetic diseases.
<h3>Understanding the Numbers: Moderna's Finances</h3>
Market Capitalization: With restricted market capitalization, the company is positioned below industry averages. This reflects a smaller scale relative to peers.
Revenue Growth: Moderna's revenue growth over a period of 3M has faced challenges. As of 31 March, 2025, the company experienced a revenue decline of approximately -35.93%. This indicates a decrease in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Health Care sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Net Margin: Moderna's net margin lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of -907.48%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Moderna's ROE lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns on equity capital. With an ROE of -9.26%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): Moderna's ROA is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of -7.23%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: Moderna's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 0.07, the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.
<h2>The Basics of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Analyst ratings serve as essential indicators of stock performance, provided by experts in banking and financial systems. These specialists diligently analyze company financial statements, participate in conference calls, and engage with insiders to generate quarterly ratings for individual stocks.
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Analyst Ratings

Where Moderna Stands With Analysts

<a href="https://endpts.com/fda-vaccine-advisors-update-covid-strain-guidance-following-new-framework/#:~:text=Committee%20members%20voted%20unanimously%20to,was%20the%20KP.2%20strain" title="https://endpts.com/fda-vaccine-advisors-update-covid-strain-guidance-following-new-framework/#:~:text=Committee%20members%20voted%20unanimously%20to,was%20the%20KP.2%20strain">https://endpts.com/fda-vaccine-advisors-update-covid-strain-guidance-following-new-framework/#:~:text=Committee%20members%20voted%20unanimously%20to,was%20the%20KP.2%20strain</a>.

'All FDA Committee Members Voted Unanimously To Recommend A Monovalent JN.1-lineage Covid-19 Vaccine For The Upcoming Season, The Same Recommendation Made Last Year; The FDA Ultimately Told Vaccine Manufacturers That The Preferred Strain Within That Lineage Was The KP.2 Strain' - STAT News

JP Morgan analyst Jessica Fye maintains Moderna (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) with a Underweight and lowers the price target from $33 to $26.

Price Target

JP Morgan Maintains Underweight on Moderna, Lowers Price Target to $26

<a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/rfk-jr-maha-commission-report-5c13696d">https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/rfk-jr-maha-commission-report-5c13696d</a>

'What's Inside RFK Jr.'s MAHA Report'- Wall Street Journal

After a sharp 23% rebound in the S&amp;P 500 since April, hedge funds are now stacking record levels of bearish bets against stocks as investors question the staying power of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/tariffs">the tariff-relief rally.</a>
Hedge funds have added $25 billion in short equity futures exposure over the last three Commitments of Traders (COT) reports—marking the largest three-week increase in at least a decade. 
This surge underscores deepening skepticism about the market's resilience following its V-shaped recovery after the tariff selloff.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Hedge Funds have added $25 Billion of short equity futures exposure over the last 3 COT reports, the largest increase AT LEAST the last decade &#x1f6a8;&#x1f6a8; <a href="https://t.co/WxiEjHlmDS">pic.twitter.com/WxiEjHlmDS</a>
&mdash; Barchart (@Barchart) <a href="https://twitter.com/Barchart/status/1925047520272502901?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Gross leverage, which includes both long and short exposures, has climbed to an all-time high, according to Goldman Sachs analyst Ben Snider. 
Although net leverage—longs minus shorts—remains below February levels, the acceleration in short interest has changed the landscape.
&#8220;As growth and inflation begin to reaccelerate, hedge funds and CTAs continue to fight the cycle—doubling down on long bonds and short risk. The macro bears aren't giving up without a fight,&#8221; said Oskar Vårdal, analyst at Steno Research. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Where Are Hedge Funds Targeting Shorts?</h3>
Funds are targeting both exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and single-name stocks. 
According to data from Goldman Sachs, ETF short interest hit $218 billion in the second quarter, while single-stock short interest reached $948 billion. In over a decade, April alone saw the most significant jump in U.S. ETF short selling.
Among U.S.-listed ETFs, SPDR S&amp;P Regional Banking ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRE#NYSE">KRE</a>) saw its short interest soar by 50 percentage points since mid-February, now totaling 96% of float. SPDR S&amp;P Biotech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XBI#NYSE">XBI</a>) rose 27 points to 111%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) climbed to 33%.
ETFs with the most historically elevated short interest include VanEck Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GDX#NYSE">GDX</a>) at 12% of float (100th percentile vs. history, First Trust NASDAQ-100 Tech ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/qtec#NASDAQ">QTEC</a>) at 4% (98th percentile), and iShares Core S&amp;P Mid-Cap ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IJH#NYSE">IJH</a>) with $1 billion shorted (98th percentile).
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Sectors Are Under Pressure</h3>
The rise in short interest has been especially acute in defensive sectors. Short interest in consumer staples, utilities, and healthcare sectors now ranks in the top quintile compared to historical norms. The median S&amp;P 500 stock now has a 2.3% short interest relative to market cap, ranking in the 61st percentile over the last 30 years.
Only the financials and information technology sectors show short interest below their long-term averages.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Which Stocks Are Being Targeted By The Heaviest Bearish Bets?</h3>
Large-cap stocks that have seen the biggest spikes in short interest since the February peak include:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Somnigroup International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGI#NYSE">SGI</a>): 13% of float, up 10 percentage points.</li>
<li>Lucid Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LCID#NASDAQ">LCID</a>): 30% of float, up 8pp. </li>
<li>Amer Sports Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AS#NYSE">AS</a>): 12% of float, up 8pp.</li>
<li>Medpace Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MEDP#NASDAQ">MEDP</a>): 11% of float, up 6pp. </li>
<li>Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>): 18% of float, up 6pp.</li>
<li>First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSLR#NASDAQ">FSLR</a>): 11% of float, up 5pp. </li>
</ul>
Now Read:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/05/45530460/trumps-6-trillion-investment-deals-face-reality-check-only-a-fraction-may-reach-the-real-economy">Trump&#8217;s $6 Trillion Investment Deals Face Reality Check: Only A Fraction May Reach The Real Economy </a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Sector ETFs

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Hedge Funds

Econ #s

ETFs

FSLR

Market Vectors ETF Trust Market Vectors Gold Miners

LCID

MEDP

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Index Fund

QTEC

Hedge Funds Are Building A Towering Wall Of Bets Against Stocks

WIIM

Moderna shares are trading lower after the company announced it has withdrawn the pending biologics license application for mRNA-1083.

Moderna Announced That In Consultation With The U.S. Food And Drug Administration, The Company Has Voluntarily Withdrawn The Pending Biologics License Application For Mrna-1083, Its Flu/Covid Combination Vaccine Candidate For Adults Aged 50 Years And Older

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced significant changes to COVID-19 vaccine requirements, limiting annual booster approvals to older and high-risk Americans while implementing stricter clinical trial requirements for healthy adults.
What Happened: The FDA will now require new clinical trials for approval of annual COVID-19 boosters for healthy Americans under age 65, effectively restricting their availability to older adults and those at risk of severe illness, according to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and top U.S. vaccines regulator Vinay Prasad in the New England Journal of Medicine, reported Reuters.
&#8220;At-risk Americans can be reassured that they will be covered by such approvals. At the same time, we want more evidence at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,&#8221; Prasad told FDA scientists during a live-streamed presentation on Tuesday. &#8220;We want to know more about what these products are doing, especially as we enter the seventh, eighth and ninth dose.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45537306/google-unveils-total-reimagining-of-search-with-chatbot-style-feature-to-compete-with-openai">Google Unveils &#8216;Total Reimagining Of Search&#8217; With Chatbot-Style Feature To Compete With OpenAI</a> Why It Matters: This policy shift represents a significant departure from previous U.S. vaccination strategy, with Makary and Prasad noting that America has been more aggressive than other high-income nations in recommending yearly shots for healthy adults.
The decision comes amid shifting political priorities at the FDA under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been remaking the U.S. health system to align with President Donald Trump&#8216;s goal of dramatically <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45488265/novavax-wins-limited-fda-nod-for-covid-shot-cleared-only-for-seniors-high-risk-groups-amid-safety-scrutiny">shrinking the federal government</a>. 
This follows a pattern of increased scrutiny of vaccines, as evidenced by the FDA&#8217;s recent limited approval of Novavax Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVAX#NASDAQ">NVAX</a>) COVID-19 vaccine only for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45488265/novavax-wins-limited-fda-nod-for-covid-shot-cleared-only-for-seniors-high-risk-groups-amid-safety-scrutiny">people 65 and older and those 12</a> and up with underlying health conditions.
Despite the policy change, investors appeared reassured that vaccine policies for older and high-risk Americans remain unchanged. Shares of COVID-19 vaccine makers rose following the announcement, with Moderna (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) up 6.06%, Pfizer (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) rising 2.22%, BioNTech&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BNTX#NASDAQ">BNTX</a>) U.S. ADRs up 4.1%, and Novavax gaining 1.5%.
Image Via Shutterstock 
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45537159/gary-black-compares-ubers-shift-to-driverless-cars-with-netflixs-2007-move-from-dvds-to-streaming-says-tesla-faithful-are-missing-the-bigger-picture">Gary Black Compares Uber&#8217;s Shift To Driverless Cars With Netflix&#8217;s 2007 Move From DVDs To Streaming, Says Tesla &#8216;Faithful&#8217; Are Missing The Bigger Picture</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

FDA Limits Annual COVID-19 Boosters To High-Risk Americans, Demands New Trials For Healthy Adults In Policy Shift Under RFK Jr.

Shares of Vaccine stocks are moving higher on Tuesday after documents from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revealed that its advisers will <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45524971/pfizer-stock-is-trading-higher-tuesday-whats-going-on">meet this week.</a>
What To Know: Advisers plan to discuss whether updated COVID-19 vaccines should target the LP.8.1 subvariant for the upcoming 2025-2026 vaccination cycle. The LP.8.1 strain, which stems from the previously dominant JN.1 variant, is now estimated to account for about 70% of U.S. COVID-19 cases based on recent CDC data. It has also been gaining traction globally, including in parts of Europe according to Reuters.
The FDA documents suggest that an update to the vaccine strain is under consideration due to the virus&#8217;s continued evolution. Other emerging variants like LF.7 and XFG are also being monitored but LP.8.1 is currently the most widespread. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech produce mRNA-based vaccines, while Novavax offers a protein-based alternative.
In a separate update, the FDA said new clinical trials would be required for annual COVID-19 boosters for healthy people under 65, effectively narrowing this fall's vaccine rollout to older adults and those with heightened risk. 
Price Action: Moderna shares were up 5.70% at $27.90 and BioNTech shares were up 3.63% at $101.36 at the time of writing, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?new_user=False&amp;backend=google-oauth2">Benzinga Pro.</a>
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45525107/wall-street-falls-as-30-year-treasury-flirts-with-5-yield-whats-driving-markets-tuesday">Wall Street Falls As 30-Year Treasury Flirts With 5% Yield: What&#8217;s Driving Markets Tuesday?</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock.

What's Going On With Vaccine Stocks Today?

<a href="https://x.com/US_FDA/status/1924871996216951112">https://x.com/US_FDA/status/1924871996216951112</a>
&nbsp;

Macro Economic Events

Economics

PCVX

FDA's Vinayak Prasad Says No High-Quality Evidence For Benefit Of Vaccinating People Around Immunocompromised People With Covid Shots; I Don't Envision Randomized Trials Every Year For Covid Vaccines But Rather When There's Major Antigenic Shift

Shares of vaccine stocks are trading higher following a report indicating FDA advisers will consider if COVID-19 vaccines should target the LP.8.1 subvariant for 2025-2026.

Press Releases

Deep Track Capital Files Definitive Proxy Statement and Sends Letter to Fellow Shareholders

Flagship Pioneering Unveils Etiome to Pioneer Preemptive Healthcare

Flagship Pioneering Appoints Rahul Kakkar as CEO-Partner and CEO of Quotient Therapeutics

Earnings

Moderna Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Provides Business Updates

Events

Moderna to Present at Upcoming Bernstein's 41st Annual Strategic Decisions Conference (SDC) on May 29, 2025

Ted Myles Joins Cellarity as Chief Executive Officer

Moderna Provides Update on BLA Submission for Combination Vaccine Against Influenza and COVID-19

Moderna Files FDA Application for the LP.8.1 Targeting COVID-19 Vaccine

Moderna to Present at Upcoming Conferences in June 2025

Moderna Announces Update on Investigational Pandemic Influenza Program

CTRX

DVAX

FHTX

HPTX

SANA

TARS

ZSPH

AbbVie

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - Common Stock

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals

Amgen

argenx

Ascendis Pharma A/S - American Depositary Shares

Ascendis Pharma

Biogen

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. - Common Stock

Biomarin Pharmaceutical

BioNTech

Blueprint Medicines Corporation - Common Stock

Blueprint Medicines

Exact Sciences Corporation - Common Stock

Exact Sciences

Exelixis

Gilead Sciences

Genmab

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. - Common Stock

Halozyme Therapeutics

Incyte

Insmed

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. - Common Stock

Neurocrine Biosciences

Natera

BeOne Medicines Ltd. - American Depositary Shares

BeOne Medicines

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - Common Stock

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Roivant Sciences

Revolution Medicines, Inc. - Common Stock

Revolution Medicines

Summit Therapeutics

United Therapeutics Corporation - Common Stock

United Therapeutics

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated - Common Stock

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

JP Morgan

Barclays

RBC Capital

Evercore ISI Group

Screenshot 2024-04-30 at 5.36.02 PM

Cardio Diagnostics Holdings Inc. - Common stock

Comments

Moderna

Unusual Options Activity for

Notizie

PARTENAIRE / CONTRIBUTEUR

BENZINGA MONDIAL