Therapeutics Stocks Q4 Analysis: Comparing Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) With Its Peers

Quarterly Review: Therapeutics Sector Performance

Quarterly earnings season offers a valuable opportunity to evaluate how companies are progressing, especially when compared to others in the therapeutics space. In this overview, we examine Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) alongside other top and bottom performers within the industry.

Therapeutics companies, which create a broad spectrum of treatments for various illnesses, are positioned to benefit in the coming years from advances in precision medicine—such as artificial intelligence enhancing drug discovery—and increasing demand for therapies addressing rare conditions. Nonetheless, the sector also faces challenges, including heightened scrutiny over drug costs, regulatory uncertainties, and stiff competition from larger pharmaceutical firms.

Industry Snapshot

Among the 11 therapeutics companies monitored, the fourth quarter was robust overall. Collectively, these firms surpassed Wall Street revenue forecasts by 7.1%.

Despite these positive results, share prices across the group have remained largely stable since the earnings announcements.

Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA)

Moderna gained international recognition during the COVID-19 crisis by developing one of the earliest effective vaccines. The company specializes in messenger RNA (mRNA) therapies, which instruct the body’s cells to generate proteins that can treat or prevent a range of diseases.

For the quarter, Moderna posted $678 million in revenue, representing a 29.8% decline compared to the previous year. However, this figure still topped analyst projections by 2.7%. The company also exceeded expectations for both earnings per share and revenue, marking a standout quarter.

Despite recording the slowest revenue growth among its peers, Moderna’s stock has climbed 30.5% since the earnings release and is currently trading at $52.34.

Top Q4 Performer: Novavax (NASDAQ:NVAX)

Novavax is at the forefront of vaccine innovation, utilizing nanoparticle technology that imitates the structure of disease-causing agents. The company focuses on protein-based vaccines for infectious diseases, with its COVID-19 and combination respiratory vaccines leading its pipeline.

Novavax reported $147.1 million in revenue for the quarter, a 66.6% increase year-over-year and a remarkable 57.4% above analyst expectations. The company delivered a strong beat on both earnings and revenue estimates.

Novavax led the group with the highest revenue growth and the largest outperformance relative to analyst forecasts. The stock has risen 2.4% since the report and is now priced at $9.76.

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR)

United Therapeutics was established by a mother seeking solutions for her child’s pulmonary arterial hypertension. The company develops and markets treatments for chronic lung diseases and other severe conditions, with a particular emphasis on pulmonary hypertension.

In the most recent quarter, United Therapeutics generated $790.2 million in revenue, a 7.4% year-over-year increase but 2.5% below analyst estimates. This quarter was softer for the company, as it missed revenue expectations by a notable margin.

Despite underperforming analyst forecasts more than any other peer, United Therapeutics’ shares have gained 11.3% since the results and currently trade at $527.05.

Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB)

Founded in 1978, Biogen has been a pioneer in developing therapies for complex neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal muscular atrophy, and rare conditions.

Biogen reported $2.28 billion in revenue for the quarter, up 1.2% from the previous year and 3.6% above analyst expectations. The company also delivered strong beats on both full-year earnings guidance and quarterly earnings per share.

The stock price has remained steady since the earnings announcement and is currently at $186.24.

Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD)

Gilead Sciences is renowned for its innovative treatments for life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, and cancer. The company was instrumental in developing the first single-tablet HIV regimens.

For the quarter, Gilead posted $7.93 billion in revenue, a 4.7% year-over-year increase and 3.2% above analyst expectations. While the company outperformed on revenue, it slightly missed full-year earnings guidance.

Since the earnings release, Gilead’s stock has declined by 4% and is currently trading at $141.30.

Market Trends and Shifts

In late 2025 and early 2026, concerns about artificial intelligence began to weigh on the technology sector. Software companies worried that AI could undermine pricing power and reduce profit margins, while crypto investors feared that autonomous AI agents might diminish the value of existing crypto infrastructure.

These anxieties prompted investors to move away from riskier sectors in favor of safer assets. However, market sentiment shifted quickly in spring 2026, as attention turned from technological disruption to geopolitical tensions—particularly the US conflict with Iran. When geopolitical risks dominate, investors focus less on growth prospects and more on issues like oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

The StockStory analyst team, comprised of experienced professional investors, leverages quantitative analysis and automation to deliver high-quality, timely market insights.