Moderna's Q4 Earnings: COVID-19 Vaccine Sales and Bird Flu Vaccine Candidates in Focus

Moderna, Inc. (MRNA) is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings on Friday before the opening bell, with investors eagerly awaiting updates on the company's portfolio of mRNA-based vaccines and treatments across infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, and rare diseases. The COVID-19 vaccine demand and sales will be a key focus, as well as the company's progress in developing an avian flu vaccine candidate.

COVID-19 Vaccine Sales and Demand

Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax, has been a significant driver of revenue for the company. However, with the official end of the pandemic and a decreasing demand for COVID-19 vaccines, Moderna's revenue in 2023 reached only around a third of the previous year's amount. Investors will be looking for updates on the company's sales guidance and any new contracts or partnerships that could help boost revenue.



Bird Flu Vaccine Candidates

The spread of bird flu through wild birds, poultry farms, and cattle herds has raised concerns about the potential for a pandemic. Moderna has been working on developing an avian flu vaccine candidate, mRNA-1018, which has produced positive preliminary data in a phase 1/2 study. The company plans to advance this vaccine into phase 3 and present data from the phase 1/2 trial at an upcoming scientific meeting.

Regulatory Environment and Market Access

The recent appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services has raised concerns about the regulatory environment and potential market access for Moderna's products. Investors will be watching for any commentary from executives during the company's earnings call on how this appointment might impact the company's business.

Analyst Expectations and Price Action

Analysts expect Moderna to report quarterly losses of $2.68 per share and revenue of $942.84 million. The company has beaten consensus estimates on the top and bottom lines for the last four consecutive quarters. According to Benzinga, Moderna shares ended Thursday's session up 4.54% at $31.92.



In conclusion, Moderna's Q4 earnings report will provide valuable insights into the company's COVID-19 vaccine sales and demand, as well as its progress in developing an avian flu vaccine candidate. Investors will be closely watching for updates on these areas, as well as any commentary on the potential impact of the new Secretary of Health and Human Services on the company's business. With the company's history of beating analyst expectations, investors will be eager to see if Moderna can continue this trend in its fourth-quarter earnings report.