Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) Shares Gap Down – Here’s Why

Shares of Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) gapped down prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $41.99, but opened at $37.61. Moderna shares last traded at $37.21, with a volume of 4,964,476 shares trading hands.

Key Moderna News

Here are the key news stories impacting Moderna this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Moderna signed a long‑term agreement with the Mexican government to supply respiratory vaccines and transfer mRNA manufacturing technology to Laboratorios Liomont — strengthens revenue visibility and manufacturing resilience in a key market. Moderna to Enter into Long-Term Strategic Agreement with the Government of Mexico
• Positive Sentiment: Moderna says the mRNA‑1010 filing has been submitted and accepted for review in the EU, Canada and Australia — alternative regulatory paths could offset some U.S. delays if approvals are granted abroad. Moderna says US FDA refuses review its influenza vaccine
• Neutral Sentiment: Moderna received the RTF but says FDA raised no safety/efficacy concerns, has requested a Type A meeting, and does not expect an impact to 2026 financial guidance — this mitigates the immediate business outlook but leaves regulatory timing uncertain. Moderna Receives Refusal-to-File Letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Its Investigational Seasonal Influenza Vaccine, mRNA-1010
• Neutral Sentiment: Media and analyst attention remains high (including bullish commentary on pipeline programs and cancer vaccines) — keeps investor focus on Moderna’s broader pipeline beyond the flu program. Jim Cramer on Moderna: “One of the Hottest Stocks in the Market This Year”
• Negative Sentiment: FDA’s refusal-to-file was due to an “inadequate and well‑controlled trial” and a failure to use the best‑available U.S. comparator for seniors — that regulatory setback is the primary driver of the stock decline today and raises execution risk for U.S. vaccine approvals under current FDA leadership. Moderna shares fall after FDA refuses to review new flu vaccine
• Negative Sentiment: Heightened regulatory scrutiny of mRNA vaccines under current FDA leadership increases regulatory uncertainty company‑wide and could slow timelines or require additional studies. AP: FDA scrutiny of vaccines under Health Secretary RFK Jr.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on MRNA shares. Needham & Company LLC reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Moderna in a research note on Monday, October 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Moderna from $26.00 to $25.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Leerink Partners reiterated an “underperform” rating on shares of Moderna in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Moderna from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, January 17th. Finally, TD Cowen reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Moderna in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $28.77.

Moderna Price Performance

The firm’s 50 day moving average is $36.37 and its 200 day moving average is $29.66. The company has a market cap of $15.53 billion, a PE ratio of -4.93 and a beta of 1.32.

Insider Activity at Moderna

In other news, Director Noubar Afeyan sold 23,853 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.48, for a total value of $703,186.44. Following the transaction, the director owned 3,924 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $115,679.52. This represents a 85.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 10.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Moderna

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MRNA. Rothschild Investment LLC raised its holdings in shares of Moderna by 94.1% in the 2nd quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 920 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 446 shares in the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new position in shares of Moderna in the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new stake in Moderna in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Whittier Trust Co. purchased a new stake in Moderna in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Moderna during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. 75.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Moderna Company Profile

Moderna, Inc is a biotechnology company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines. The company’s platform leverages synthetic mRNA to instruct cells to produce proteins that can prevent or treat diseases. Since its founding in 2010, Moderna has advanced from early-stage research into a broad pipeline of vaccine and therapeutic candidates designed to address infectious diseases, rare genetic disorders and chronic illnesses.

Moderna’s flagship product is its mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, which was the first of its kind to receive emergency use authorization and later full approval in multiple jurisdictions.