Valneva stock retreats but holds +26% over one month and tests its 20-day moving average
In a broadly pressured European market, the Lyon-based laboratory Valneva retreats for the second consecutive session, while its monthly surge of nearly 26% remains one of the most notable performances for the stock. The security is now trading near its 20-day moving average, amid heightened market volatility with the VIX up nearly 13% during the session.
Valneva among the steepest declines in the SBF 120, trading at its 20-day MA of 2.86€
Valneva drops 1.66% to 2.85€ in trading, ranking 112th out of 120 in the SBF 120, among the index's steepest declines. The pullback unfolds against a dismal market backdrop: the CAC 40 loses 0.33% and the SBF 120 retreats 0.29% during the session, while the DAX sheds nearly 1.69% and the FTSE 100 falls more than 1%. The VIX surges 12.91% to 17.75, signaling renewed widespread concern across markets, fueled notably by geopolitical tensions and the ECB meeting scheduled for today to vote on a likely 25 basis point rate hike. The price at 2.85€ is in contact with the 20-day moving average set at 2.86€, with a gap of only -0.35%.
This level carries significance: during recent pullback sessions, the stock had maintained a comfortable margin above this same 20-day MA. A break below this threshold would mark a notable technical shift. Conversely, the 50-day MA at 2.48€ remains well below the current price, with a gap exceeding 14%, reflecting the strength of the rebound underway since late summer.
The exceptional monthly momentum and declining short positions illuminate the broader context
Behind immediate pressure, the medium-term trajectory remains striking: Valneva still shows +25.77% over one month and +25.22% over three months, after having approached its resistance at 3.07€ in early September. The RSI at 59 remains in neutral territory: no overbought signal, but certain fatigue in the bullish momentum after several weeks of gains. On a fundamental level, first-half results published on August 13th had highlighted a widening of net losses, with pressures on product sales, while the group confirmed its annual targets.
The EMA's review of the Lyme disease vaccine authorization file, developed with Pfizer, remains one of the central regulatory milestones for the group. Furthermore, according to reviewed filings, cumulative net short positions by three funds have declined by 0.72 percentage points over thirty days, falling from 3.30% to 2.58% of capital: this pullback indicates that certain bearish-positioned players have reduced their exposure, though no sentiment reversal can be inferred. The resistance at 3.07€ remains the next technical threshold to monitor in case of recovery, with the price drifting slightly away from it over recent sessions.
