Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) stock surged 5.10% during intraday trading on Friday, buoyed by positive analyst ratings and optimistic price targets. The biopharmaceutical company, known for its clinical-stage therapies, saw its shares climb as Wall Street analysts expressed confidence in its potential.

Leerink Partners analyst Thomas Smith reaffirmed a Buy rating on Viking Therapeutics, setting an ambitious price target of $118.00. This bullish stance was echoed by Naz Rahman from Maxim Group, who also reiterated a Buy rating with a price target of $70.00. These ratings suggest significant upside potential from the stock's current trading levels, igniting investor enthusiasm.

The analysts' positive outlook likely stems from Viking Therapeutics' promising clinical developments and strategic initiatives. While specific details were not provided, the high price targets indicate strong confidence in the company's pipeline and future prospects. As Viking Therapeutics continues to advance its therapeutic candidates, investors appear to be responding favorably to these expert assessments, driving the stock's impressive intraday gain.