GERN vs. VKTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GERN (Geron Corporation) and VKTX (Viking Therapeutics, Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the Biotechnology industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 10 years, GERN returned -8.94%/yr vs 35.08%/yr for VKTX. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GERN vs. VKTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Geron Corporation (GERN) and Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GERN achieves a -12.12% return, which is significantly higher than VKTX's -16.63% return. Over the past 10 years, GERN has underperformed VKTX with an annualized return of -8.94%, while VKTX has yielded a comparatively higher 35.08% annualized return.

GERN

• 1D: -0.85%
• 1M: -26.11%
• YTD: -12.12%
• 6M: -8.66%
• 1Y: -26.11%
• 3Y*: -31.44%
• 5Y*: -3.55%
• 10Y*: -8.94%

VKTX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: -7.65%
• YTD: -16.63%
• 6M: -17.17%
• 1Y: 10.22%
• 3Y*: 9.60%
• 5Y*: 41.01%
• 10Y*: 35.08%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GERN vs. VKTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GERN Geron Corporation	-12.12%	-62.71%	67.77%	-12.81%	98.36%	-23.27%	16.91%	36.00%	-44.44%	-13.04%
VKTX Viking Therapeutics, Inc.	-16.63%	-12.57%	116.23%	97.98%	104.35%	-18.29%	-29.80%	4.84%	88.42%	241.18%

Correlation

The correlation between GERN and VKTX is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 30, 2015	0.30

Fundamentals

Market Cap GERN : $776.48M VKTX : $3.39B
EPS GERN : -$0.10 VKTX : -$4.16
PB Ratio GERN : 3.39 VKTX : 6.75
Total Revenue (TTM) GERN : $196.12M VKTX : $0.00
Gross Profit (TTM) GERN : $119.67M VKTX : -$208.00K
EBITDA (TTM) GERN : -$40.62M VKTX : -$501.77M

Return for Risk

GERN vs. VKTX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GERN

GERN Risk / Return Rank: 20
GERN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
GERN Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
GERN Omega Ratio Rank: 25
GERN Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
GERN Martin Ratio Rank: 11

VKTX

VKTX Risk / Return Rank: 47
VKTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
VKTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VKTX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VKTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
VKTX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

GERN vs. VKTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Geron Corporation (GERN) and Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	GERN	VKTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.42	0.14	-0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.25	0.72	-0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.11	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.65	0.23	-0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.29	0.46	-1.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GERN vs. VKTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GERN Sharpe Ratio is -0.42, which is lower than the VKTX Sharpe Ratio of 0.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GERN and VKTX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GERN	VKTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.42	0.14	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.04	0.41	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.11	0.36	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.07	0.11	-0.18

Drawdowns

GERN vs. VKTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GERN drawdown since its inception was -98.73%, which is greater than VKTX's maximum drawdown of -90.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GERN and VKTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GERN	VKTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.73%	-90.41%	-8.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-40.51%	-45.14%	+4.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-78.98%	-78.86%	-0.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-78.98%	-78.86%	-0.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-86.09%	-89.26%	+3.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-98.34%	-68.96%	-29.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-86.15%	-60.01%	-26.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	20.30%	22.29%	-1.99%

Volatility

GERN vs. VKTX - Volatility Comparison

Geron Corporation (GERN) has a higher volatility of 15.09% compared to Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) at 13.65%. This indicates that GERN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VKTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GERN	VKTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.09%	13.65%	+1.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	46.90%	41.31%	+5.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	63.74%	73.85%	-10.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	82.38%	101.62%	-19.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	78.08%	97.09%	-19.01%

Dividends

GERN vs. VKTX - Dividend Comparison

Neither GERN nor VKTX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GERN and VKTX in my portfolio?

GERN and VKTX have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GERN or VKTX?

GERN has higher volatility (15.09%) compared to VKTX (13.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GERN dropped -98.73% vs VKTX's -90.41%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VKTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.14 vs -0.42), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.