VKTX vs. MDGL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VKTX (Viking Therapeutics, Inc.) and MDGL (Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the Biotechnology industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 10 years, VKTX returned 35.08%/yr vs 43.76%/yr for MDGL. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VKTX vs. MDGL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VKTX having a -16.63% return and MDGL slightly higher at -16.17%. Over the past 10 years, VKTX has underperformed MDGL with an annualized return of 35.08%, while MDGL has yielded a comparatively higher 43.76% annualized return.

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%

MDGL

• 1D: 7.79%
• 1M: -5.88%
• YTD: -16.17%
• 6M: -15.82%
• 1Y: 71.64%
• 3Y*: 23.37%
• 5Y*: 37.02%
• 10Y*: 43.76%

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

VKTX vs. MDGL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VKTX Viking Therapeutics, Inc.	-16.63%	-12.57%	116.23%	97.98%	104.35%	-18.29%	-29.80%	4.84%	88.42%	241.18%
MDGL Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	-16.17%	88.72%	33.36%	-20.28%	242.52%	-23.77%	22.02%	-19.17%	22.80%	516.04%

Correlation

The correlation between VKTX and MDGL is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 30, 2015	0.38

Fundamentals

Market Cap VKTX : $3.39B MDGL : $14.17B
EPS VKTX : -$4.16 MDGL : -$12.87
PB Ratio VKTX : 6.75 MDGL : 26.08
Total Revenue (TTM) VKTX : $0.00 MDGL : $1.13B
Gross Profit (TTM) VKTX : -$208.00K MDGL : $1.05B
EBITDA (TTM) VKTX : -$501.77M MDGL : -$287.63M

Return for Risk

VKTX vs. MDGL — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

MDGL

MDGL Risk / Return Rank: 79
MDGL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
MDGL Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
MDGL Omega Ratio Rank: 78
MDGL Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
MDGL Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

VKTX vs. MDGL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) and Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (MDGL). 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.

	VKTX	MDGL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.14	1.57	-1.43
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.72	2.44	-1.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.29	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.23	2.45	-2.23
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.46	5.56	-5.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VKTX vs. MDGL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VKTX Sharpe Ratio is 0.14, which is lower than the MDGL Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VKTX and MDGL, 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

	VKTX	MDGL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14	1.57	-1.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.28	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.37	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.11	0.02	+0.09

Drawdowns

VKTX vs. MDGL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VKTX drawdown since its inception was -90.41%, smaller than the maximum MDGL drawdown of -98.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VKTX and MDGL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VKTX	MDGL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.41%	-98.40%	+7.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-45.14%	-29.36%	-15.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-78.86%	-56.45%	-22.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-78.86%	-61.41%	-17.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-89.26%	-82.19%	-7.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-68.96%	-19.02%	-49.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-60.01%	-58.56%	-1.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	22.29%	12.94%	+9.35%

Volatility

VKTX vs. MDGL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) is 13.65%, while Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (MDGL) has a volatility of 16.33%. This indicates that VKTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MDGL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VKTX	MDGL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.65%	16.33%	-2.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.31%	31.56%	+9.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	73.85%	46.14%	+27.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	101.62%	133.42%	-31.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	97.09%	117.52%	-20.43%

Dividends

VKTX vs. MDGL - Dividend Comparison

Neither VKTX nor MDGL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VKTX and MDGL in my portfolio?

VKTX and MDGL have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VKTX or MDGL?

MDGL has higher volatility (16.33%) compared to VKTX (13.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VKTX dropped -90.41% vs MDGL's -98.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MDGL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 0.14), 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.