Up Over 550% in 2026, Is It Too Late to Buy Moderna Stock?
2026-09-28 14:28
•David Jagielski, Cpa •The Motley Fool
••• •• Axe Cap view
Moderna’s 2026 Rally: Too Hot to Touch Now
Moderna’s stock price surged 550% in 2026 on promising cancer vaccine data but looks dangerously overpriced at current levels.
Moderna’s price action this year is nothing short of spectacular, driven by successful trial news for its personalized cancer vaccine in partnership with Merck. The excitement is understandable—this is a big medical breakthrough with real revenue potential. Yet, the market seems to have baked in far more than what is realistically deliverable in the near term. With the stock hovering around $200 versus analyst targets near $77, we’re looking at classic overvaluation territory. For South African investors, this overextension is a good reminder to be cautious with biotech plays priced for perfection. Meanwhile, the rand’s current weakness against the dollar heightens the risk if you buy U.S.-listed shares at these levels. Better opportunities exist on the JSE where valuations are more reasonable, like in financials and consumer staples. We’d rather watch Moderna from the sidelines for now, looking for a reset or pullback before considering entry. this is just our opinion and not financial advice
Avoid buying Moderna at current levels; wait for a meaningful correction. Instead, consider trimming exposure to rand-hedged international stocks and look at attractively valued South African banks like FirstRand and Nedbank.
- MRNA
- USD/ZAR
- FirstRand
- Nedbank
- Moderna’s vaccine could surpass expectations and re-rate higher
- Rand could strengthen significantly, improving foreign investment returns
6/10
Moderna's stock has surged over 550% in 2026 following positive Phase 3 trial results for intismeran, a personalized cancer vaccine developed with Merck for melanoma treatment. Despite the excitement and analyst upgrades, the author argues the stock is overvalued at current levels (~$200), with consensus price targets around $77, and cautions against buying at these valuations.
Our take is based on reporting first published by The Motley Fool.