Barclays maintains Vertex Pharmaceuticals at Overweight, raises price target to $626 from $617

Healthcare stocks rose on Monday, with the sector ETF up 0.88%. CMS projected lower Medicare Advantage premiums for 2027. JNJ, VRTX, HUM, EW, and MCK reported earnings or regulatory news, with some raising guidance. JNJ's cancer therapy received FDA approval, VRTX reported 12% revenue growth, and HUM raised EPS guidance. EW and MCK also raised their outlooks.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) reported Q3 2026 revenue up 12% YoY, driven by growth in CF, CASGEVY, JOURNAVX, and PALSONIFY. ALYFTREK sales reached $706M, with 18K+ patients. CASGEVY revenue hit $99M, up 30% sequentially. JOURNAVX is the top US branded oral analgesic. Non-GAAP operating expense guidance raised to ~$6B. Key drugs and acquisitions discussed during earnings call.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals reported Q3 revenue of $3.44B, up 12% YoY, with cystic fibrosis drugs contributing over 95%. Kidney drug povetacicept awaits FDA decision. Shares fell 3% despite raised annual guidance. Analysts note confidence in kidney drug launch and potential growth.

Wells Fargo raised its price target for Vertex Pharmaceuticals to $650 from $550, an 18.2% increase. This implies a 17.5% upside from the Nov 2 close of $553.15. Recent analyst targets range from $563 to $619.

Cantor Fitzgerald raised its price target on Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) to $619 from $595, citing confidence in its pipeline. The firm expects focus on pipeline execution and data releases in 2027. Vertex reported Q3 2026 revenue of $3.44B, exceeding estimates. Analysts from JPMorgan, TD Cowen, and Wells Fargo also raised their price targets.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) stock rose 2.8% in pre-market trading after reporting Q3 2026 revenue of $3.44B, beating estimates. The company raised its full-year revenue guidance to $13.15B-$13.25B. Analysts increased price targets, citing strong R&D and upcoming FDA decisions. The NASDAQ was up 0.8%, supporting biotech stocks.