Stock Market Today, Oct. 22: Moderna Stock Plummets 18% on Melanoma Vaccine Data Leak Reports

Moderna's stock fell 18% after reports of a data leak regarding its personalized melanoma vaccine showed a 42% reduction in recurrence or death risk when paired with Merck's Keytruda—lower than Phase II results of 49%. The full Phase 3 results were scheduled for release on October 24, and the leaked figures fell short of market expectations despite the company's 600% gain in 2026.

10/22/2026, 4:45 PM • The Motley Fool

Biotech Giants vs. Emerging Innovators: Which ETF Is the Better Buy?

The article compares two biotech ETFs: VanEck Biotech ETF (BBH), which concentrates on 26 industry leaders like Amgen and Gilead Sciences, versus State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI), which provides broad exposure to 165 companies including emerging innovators. While both have identical 0.35% expense ratios and 0.4% dividend yields, XBI offers lower volatility risk and is recommended as the better buy for long-term investors seeking exposure to the industry's next big winners.

10/22/2026, 5:30 AM • The Motley Fool

Not Lilly. Not Johnson & Johnson. This Stock Will Be the Biggest Healthcare Winner of 2026

Moderna has surged over 600% in 2026, driven by breakthrough Phase 3 trial results for its personalized cancer vaccine (intismeran autogene) combined with Merck's Keytruda, plus FDA approval for its flu vaccine mFLUSIVA. However, despite strong innovation, the stock appears overvalued at a $90 billion market cap with a 45% downside according to Wall Street analysts. The company would need to generate unrealistic revenue levels to justify current valuations, leaving little room for error.

10/21/2026, 10:00 AM • The Motley Fool

Forget COVID: Moderna Is Turning Into a Cancer Company -- and Wall Street Is Taking Notice

Moderna is transitioning from a COVID-19 vaccine company to an oncology-focused biotech firm. The company announced positive phase 3 results for its personalized cancer vaccine (intismeran autogene) paired with Merck's Keytruda for melanoma treatment. With the global oncology market projected to grow from $253 billion to over $700 billion by 2034, Moderna's stock has surged over 600% this year, though it now trades 61% above Wall Street's average price target of $123.

10/21/2026, 4:02 AM • The Motley Fool

Another BioNTech Cancer Vaccine Just Hit a Major Setback. Is BNTX Stock Still a Buy?

BioNTech faces mounting clinical setbacks in its cancer vaccine pipeline, including a halted Phase 2 trial for autogene cevumeran and BNT113's failure to meet a primary endpoint in head and neck cancer trials. With COVID-19 vaccine revenues declining sharply (down 60% YoY) and the company unprofitable, investors must weigh the deep pipeline potential against significant uncertainty. The stock is recommended only for risk-tolerant investors.

10/18/2026, 2:32 PM • The Motley Fool

Moderna Just Joined the Nasdaq-100. Here's What That Means for Investors.

Moderna has been added to the Nasdaq-100 index following a 700% stock surge this year, driven by FDA approvals of updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines, as well as promising phase 3 trial results for its cancer vaccine candidate. The inclusion will increase institutional ownership and potentially raise the stock price, though investors should focus on the company's future potential with its cancer vaccine pipeline.

10/18/2026, 8:45 AM • The Motley Fool

Sandisk Is Dominating the S&P 500 in 2026. Can It Repeat in 2027?

Sandisk has been the second-best performing S&P 500 stock in 2026 with a ~500% gain, driven by high demand for NAND memory chips in AI data centers. The company is shifting to long-term contract agreements with customers to reduce cyclicality and lock in pricing. With the market not pricing in 2027 growth and the stock trading at only 6.5x forward earnings, analysts believe Sandisk could potentially triple in 2027 if it meets expectations.

10/18/2026, 1:30 AM • The Motley Fool

Move Aside, Moderna: This mRNA Stock Is Sitting on a Cash Pile and a Deep Cancer Pipeline

BioNTech has 16.6 billion euros in cash and is advancing 14 pivotal oncology trials, positioning itself to transition from a COVID-19 vaccine maker to a major cancer treatment company. With a diversified pipeline including promising candidates like pumitamig and a $1 billion share repurchase program, the company has financial flexibility to fund development. However, risks include trial failures, declining COVID-19 revenue, and regulatory delays.

10/17/2026, 12:23 PM • The Motley Fool

The Nasdaq-100's 6 Best Stocks This Year, and Whether They Can Keep Going

The article examines the six best-performing Nasdaq-100 stocks in 2026, led by Moderna (up 667%), followed by SanDisk, Micron Technology, Marvell Technology, AMD, and Intel. While these stocks have benefited from AI-driven demand and strong fundamentals, the article cautions that their massive gains may already be priced in, making future performance uncertain. Past performance does not guarantee future results, as illustrated by examples like Novo Nordisk, which surged in 2023 but declined in 2024.

10/17/2026, 8:45 AM • The Motley Fool

Meet the New Nasdaq-100 Stock That’s Crushing Nvidia, Micron, and Sandisk. Is It Too Late to Buy?

Moderna stock has surged over 600% in 2026, outperforming major AI stocks like Nvidia, Micron, and Sandisk, driven by progress in its oncology pipeline, particularly its personalized cancer vaccine candidate intismeran autogene. The stock now trades 61% above Wall Street's average price target of $122, and while the company shows promise as it transforms from a coronavirus vaccine company into a broader biotech player, the analyst recommends waiting for a pullback before buying.

10/16/2026, 7:05 AM • The Motley Fool

Moderna vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Which Healthcare Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

The article compares Moderna and Vertex Pharmaceuticals as investment options for 2026. Moderna is expanding its mRNA platform into RSV and oncology but faces profitability challenges with a $2.8B net loss in FY2025 and 39.2% revenue decline. Vertex dominates the cystic fibrosis market with $12.1B revenue, 32.7% net margins, and $3.2B free cash flow, while diversifying into gene therapy and pain management. The author recommends Vertex for its established profitability and growing pipeline, though acknowledges Moderna's long-term platform potential.

10/13/2026, 8:17 AM • The Motley Fool

Moderna Now Trades 61% Above Wall Street's Average Price Target. Should You Sell?

Moderna stock has surged over 500% this year, driven by investor enthusiasm about its personalized cancer vaccine candidate. The stock now trades 61% above Wall Street's average price target. While the stock may face near-term pullback after its rapid gains, the company's strong pipeline and long-term growth potential in mRNA-based therapies suggest it remains a solid long-term biotech investment, though scaling personalized vaccines presents manufacturing challenges.

10/10/2026, 6:15 PM • The Motley Fool

Novo Nordisk vs. Pfizer: Which Healthcare Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

Novo Nordisk and Pfizer are compared as pharmaceutical giants navigating different challenges. Novo Nordisk boasts superior profitability with a 33% net margin and strong cash flow, but faces pricing pressures and competition in the GLP-1 weight-loss drug market. Pfizer trades at lower valuations and is improving net income through strategic acquisitions in oncology and obesity, though it faces significant patent cliffs through 2030. The article recommends Pfizer as the better buy in 2026 based on its value metrics and improving earnings trajectory.

10/02/2026, 12:15 PM • The Motley Fool

Moderna, Inc. to Join the Nasdaq-100 Index® Beginning October 9, 2026

Nasdaq announced that Moderna, Inc. (MRNA) will replace Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) as a component of the Nasdaq-100 Index effective October 9, 2026. The Nasdaq-100 Index tracks 100 of the largest Nasdaq-listed non-financial companies and is tracked by over 200 investment products with $800 billion in assets under management globally.

10/01/2026, 8:00 PM • GlobeNewswire

Prediction: Moderna Stock Will Soar 100% by 2030

Moderna has rebounded from pandemic-era lows with a diversified product portfolio including COVID, RSV, and flu vaccines, plus promising oncology pipeline candidates. The analyst predicts 100% stock appreciation by 2030 based on potential revenue growth to ~$3 billion and positive pipeline data, though acknowledges manufacturing challenges for personalized cancer vaccines and current high valuation multiples.

09/30/2026, 2:05 PM • The Motley Fool