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Moderna Stock Rises 4.4% as ESMO Cancer Vaccine Data Nears
Why is Moderna stock up today?
Moderna (MRNA) stock traded 4.4% higher at $227.61 on Monday as investors positioned for full Phase 3 cancer vaccine data at ESMO on Saturday, after a rally of more than 600% this year.
Key numbers
| Gain this year | 600%+year to date |
|---|---|
| Share price (Oct 19) | $227.61+4.4% on the day |
| 52-week high | $242.29price about 6% below |
| Friday drop (Oct 16) | -10%profit-taking, intraday |
| BofA price target | $220up from $200, Neutral |
What happened
Moderna (MRNA) stock traded 4.4% higher at $227.61 on Monday as investors positioned for full Phase 3 cancer vaccine data at ESMO on Saturday, after a rally of more than 600% this year. Moderna and partner Merck said in August that their personalized skin-cancer vaccine worked in a large Phase 3 trial, but the full results have not yet been shown. Moderna also joined the Nasdaq-100, a list of big companies that many index funds copy, on October 9. Shares fell nearly 10% last Friday as investors took profits, then bounced back.
Why it matters
Moderna is best known for COVID vaccines, and the melanoma (skin cancer) result points to a possible second business in cancer treatment. The stock has risen more than 600% this year, so analysts say much of that success may already be in the price. If Saturday's full data looks weaker than hoped, a stock priced for success could fall sharply.
Who this affects
- MarketmixedHigh impact
- Moderna investors face big price swings around Saturday's data.
- CompanymixedHigh impact
- Moderna shareholders gain on strong data, lose on weak data.
- CompetitorsneutralLow impact
- BioNTech and Pfizer have gained far less this year.
- IndustrybullishMedium impact
- Biotech investors are rewarding clear trial wins, analysts say.
Moderna vs Pfizer, BioNTech
How we got here
Moderna and Merck say Phase 3 melanoma vaccine trial succeeded; full data held back.
Moderna joins the Nasdaq-100, replacing Warner Bros. Discovery.
Shares fall nearly 10% in a day as investors take profits.
BofA lifts price target to $220 from $200; shares trade 4.4% higher.
What to watch
- Full Phase 3 melanoma data shown at ESMO Presidential Symposium, 10:30 a.m. ET.2026-10-24
- Moderna investor webcast on the results, 1:00 p.m. ET.2026-10-24
- Pancreatic cancer and lung cancer poster presentations at ESMO in Madrid.2026-10-25
Educational content only. Not investment advice.
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