Analyst Ratings January 23, 2026

Cantor Fitzgerald Maintains Bullish Outlook on Vaxcyte Amid Clinical Progress

Vaccine Developer Advances Phase 3 Trials While Market Valuation Rises Despite Lack of Profitability

By Ajmal Hussain PCVX
Cantor Fitzgerald Maintains Bullish Outlook on Vaxcyte Amid Clinical Progress
PCVX

Cantor Fitzgerald has reaffirmed its Overweight recommendation for Vaxcyte, a vaccine development company currently valued at $7.05 billion. Despite a nearly 48% rise in stock price over six months, the company remains unprofitable with a diluted EPS of -$4.84 over the past year. The firm’s positive stance is driven by ongoing clinical trials progressing as planned, including Phase 3 studies OPUS-1, OPUS-2, and OPUS-3, alongside promising Phase 2 infant vaccine trials.

Key Points

  • Cantor Fitzgerald continues to support Vaxcyte with an Overweight rating despite the company’s current unprofitability, emphasizing ongoing clinical advances.
  • Multiple Phase 3 clinical trials (OPUS-1, OPUS-2, OPUS-3) are underway or upcoming, with key data releases anticipated in late 2026 and early 2027.
  • Other financial analysts including Jefferies, Leerink Partners, and Evercore ISI affirm positive views through Buy/Outperform ratings and raised price targets, reflecting optimism tied to clinical pipeline and regulatory dynamics.

Investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald has restated its positive stance on Vaxcyte (NASDAQ:PCVX) by retaining an Overweight rating, based on a research release published on Friday. The infectious disease-focused developer of vaccines commands a market valuation of approximately $7.05 billion, with its shares appreciating by 47.6% over the last six months. This price increase comes despite the stock still being priced below InvestingPro’s determined Fair Value benchmark.

The sustained bullish outlook from Cantor Fitzgerald is reinforced by Vaxcyte’s steady advancement of its vaccine candidates through the clinical trial process. Notably, the company reported a diluted earnings per share of negative $4.84 over the trailing twelve months, confirming continued unprofitability at this stage.

Within its report, Cantor Fitzgerald detailed expectations for a topline readout from the Phase 3 OPUS-1 trial by the fourth quarter of 2026. This study is being conducted as a non-inferiority assessment of Vaxcyte’s product, with plans to file a Biologics License Application (BLA) for adult use targeted for 2027.

Moreover, the OPUS-2 Phase 3 trial has commenced with the enrollment of its first participant, while the OPUS-3 trial is slated to start in early 2026. Both these late-stage trials are anticipated to provide results during the first half of 2027, marking critical milestones in Vaxcyte's pipeline progression.

The company’s infant vaccine program, specifically the Phase 2 VAX-31 trial, remains on schedule with projected primary and booster outcome data expected by mid-2027.

Additional recent developments include the initiation of the Phase 3 OPUS trial for the VAX-31 pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which is enrolling about 4,000 participants. This trial is designed to compare the investigational vaccine directly with established vaccines Capvaxive and Prevnar 20.

Analyst support remains robust beyond Cantor Fitzgerald’s evaluation. Jefferies has upheld a Buy rating, citing the trial’s adherence to planned timelines and rigorous statistical protocols. Leerink Partners raised its price target for Vaxcyte from $60 to $77 following encouraging feedback from a recent non-deal roadshow. Evercore ISI continues to maintain an Outperform rating, noting favorable changes to CDC vaccination guidance which could enhance market potential.

These industry perspectives collectively underscore a strong degree of confidence in Vaxcyte’s vaccine candidate portfolio and the methodical progress across its clinical programs.

Risks

  • Vaxcyte has reported a diluted earnings per share loss of $4.84 over the past twelve months, signaling ongoing financial challenges common in clinical-stage biotech firms; profitability timeline remains uncertain.
  • Key clinical outcomes pivotal to product approval are expected in late 2026 and 2027, which introduces timing risk; any delays or unfavorable results could impact valuation and investor sentiment.
  • Competition from existing vaccines like Capvaxive and Prevnar 20 may affect market adoption of Vaxcyte's products post-approval, potentially influencing commercial success.

More from Analyst Ratings

DA Davidson Lifts Hershey Price Target to $207 Citing Cocoa Deflation, Keeps Neutral Rating Feb 2, 2026 TD Cowen Raises Charter Communications Price Target to $437 After Mixed Q4 Results Feb 2, 2026 TD Cowen Lifts Cullen/Frost Price Target to $160, Citing Strong Q4 Results and Balance Sheet Momentum Feb 2, 2026 BofA Upholds Buy on Apple, Keeps $325 Target as App Store and iPhone Sales Strengthen Feb 2, 2026 TD Cowen Lifts Verizon Price Target to $54, Cites Subscriber Gains and Cost Actions Feb 2, 2026