Viking Therapeutics price target raised to $35 from $30 at Stifel

Stifel raised the firm’s price target on Viking Therapeutics to $35 from $30 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares ahead of what the firm says “will be a defining catalyst period for the company.” Based on conversations the firm has had on obesity with key opinion leaders, or KOLs, the firm says quality of the tolerability profile and flexibility in dosing schemes are “almost” being valued more than rapidity of initial weight loss. To that end, the firm will be looking at VK2735’s collective profile to assess competitiveness, adding that Viking “has a balanced and high-quality portfolio that would be attractive to any player who needs entry into the metabolic area.”