Today's Trend
Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:INO) is trading higher as investors respond to a bullish analyst upgrade and improved earnings forecasts. Recent quarterly results also showed the company’s loss was narrower than expected, supporting the positive sentiment.
- Zacks Research upgraded INO from “Hold” to “Strong Buy,” providing the most significant bullish catalyst in the reports and potentially attracting additional investor interest. Zacks.com
- HC Wainwright raised its FY2026 EPS forecast to a loss of $0.73 from a loss of $1.01. The smaller projected loss suggests better-than-previously-expected cost control or operating performance. The firm also improved estimates for the third and fourth quarters of 2026, as well as the first and second quarters of 2027.
- HC Wainwright increased its FY2027 EPS forecast to a loss of $0.21 from $0.24 and raised its Q1 2027 estimate to a loss of $0.15 from $0.18. Its Q2 2027 forecast was improved to a loss of $0.08 from $0.10, indicating expectations for a gradual reduction in losses.
- Despite the improved forecasts, HC Wainwright maintained a “Neutral” rating on Inovio. Its revised estimates still project losses through FY2027, limiting the strength of the bullish signal.
- HC Wainwright lowered its Q4 2027 EPS forecast to $0.03 from $0.07. Although the estimate remains profitable, the reduction signals weaker expectations for that quarter and partially offsets the broader forecast improvements.
Overall, the stock’s upward move appears primarily driven by the Zacks upgrade and a substantial improvement in HC Wainwright’s near-term loss estimates. However, INO remains a speculative, loss-making biotechnology company, and the Neutral rating and reduced Q4 2027 forecast underscore continuing execution risk.