Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) Up 4.7% — Is Now When I Pull In?
Key Points
Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) continued its bullish advance in the latest session, finishing at $45.72, up 4.66% from the prior close and gaining $2.04 on the day. This strong performance pushes the stock closer to its 52-week high of $49.62 set on June 23, 2025, leaving it less than $4 below that recent peak. The move underscores ongoing upward momentum, with shares clearly gaining ground and extending their recent uptrend on the NASDAQ.
Trading activity was relatively subdued compared with recent norms, with volume of 642,021 shares versus a 90-day average of 2,683,431. Even on this lighter participation, EXEL still staged a firm advance, suggesting buyers were willing to step in at higher levels. The stock’s firm price action stands out within the broader health care and biopharma space, where large-cap peers such as Eli Lilly (LLY), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), AbbVie (ABBV), UnitedHealth Group (UNH), and Merck (MRK) have generally seen more measured day-to-day moves. In contrast, EXEL’s latest surge highlights stronger near-term momentum, as it inches closer to retesting its 52-week high and maintains a constructive, upward-sloping trajectory.
Why Exelixis, Inc. Price is Moving Higher
Exelixis shares are gaining as investors respond favorably to a string of pipeline and earnings-related catalysts that reinforce the company’s long-term growth story. The latest driver is the collaboration with Natera on the STELLAR-316 Phase 3 trial for zanzalintinib in high-risk colorectal cancer, using the Signatera minimal residual disease assay. This agreement, paired with the recent NDA submission for zanzalintinib following STELLAR-303 success, signals strategic expansion beyond the company’s existing oncology franchise and strengthens confidence in future revenue streams. The market’s reaction, a 3.8% move higher on the collaboration news, reflects growing optimism that zanzalintinib can help offset concerns tied to Cabometyx exclusivity and intensifying competition.
At the same time, fundamentals are underpinning the bullish sentiment. Exelixis recently delivered a Q3 earnings beat, with EPS of $0.78 versus $0.68 expected and 10.8% year-over-year revenue growth to roughly $598 million. Strong profitability, highlighted by an almost 30% profit margin, and management’s projection of $3.1 billion in revenue and $1.1 billion in earnings by 2028, presented at the J.P. Morgan 2026 Healthcare Conference, are giving investors additional conviction. Despite a recent downgrade from Bank of America to underperform with a $41 price target, the broader analyst community maintains a Moderate Buy stance with an average target above the current trading level. Together, the advancing late-stage pipeline, resilient financial performance and supportive sell-side outlook are fueling momentum in EXEL and keeping investor enthusiasm elevated.
What is the Exelixis, Inc. Rating - Should I Buy?
Weiss Ratings assigns EXEL a B rating. Current recommendation is Buy. This places Exelixis, Inc. in the stronger tier of Health Care stocks we track, with an overall profile that balances growth potential and risk in a favorable way for investors willing to own an innovative biotech name.
A key strength behind the B (Buy) rating is the Excellent Growth Index, supported by double‑digit revenue growth of 10.79% and a profit margin of 29.62%. That growth is being converted into attractive shareholder economics, as shown by the Excellent Efficiency Index and a robust return on equity of 30.56%. These metrics indicate that management is deploying capital effectively while keeping the business on a profitable trajectory, which helps justify a forward P/E ratio of 18.43 in a high‑innovation sector.
Risk is also well managed. The Excellent Solvency Index signals a solid balance sheet, which is especially important in biotech, where product cycles and R&D needs can be unpredictable. Meanwhile, the Good Volatility Index indicates that, historically, EXEL’s price swings have been relatively controlled versus the opportunity it offers, supporting its inclusion as a core, rather than purely speculative, Health Care holding.
Within its sector, Exelixis stands competitively alongside other B‑rated leaders such as Eli Lilly and Company (LLY, B) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ, B), and ahead of peers like AbbVie Inc. (ABBV, C) and Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK, C). While the Fair Total Return Index shows that past stock performance has been more moderate than its fundamentals alone might imply, the overall B rating indicates a favorable risk/reward profile for investors seeking quality exposure to the Health Care space.
About Exelixis, Inc.
Exelixis, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing therapies for cancer within the Health Care sector’s pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and life sciences industry. The company is best known for its work in targeted oncology, particularly therapies designed to inhibit specific molecular pathways that drive tumor growth and progression. Its flagship product, CABOMETYX (cabozantinib), is an oral small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in several solid tumor indications, reflecting Exelixis’ concentration on areas of significant unmet medical need in oncology.
Beyond its lead asset, Exelixis maintains a diversified pipeline of small-molecule and biologic candidates targeting a range of cancers. The company invests heavily in proprietary drug discovery platforms and structure-guided design to identify novel compounds, while also leveraging partnerships and collaborations with larger pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms. This combination of internal research strength and external alliances supports a robust innovation engine, helping Exelixis expand its oncology portfolio and explore combination therapies that may enhance treatment outcomes.
Exelixis’ competitive positioning in the biotechnology industry is supported by its focus on precision medicine, its experience advancing targeted therapies through regulatory pathways, and its growing commercial infrastructure. The company’s emphasis on real-world clinical data, lifecycle management of existing therapies, and expansion into additional tumor types contributes to a durable presence in the oncology market. By concentrating on high-value indications and maintaining a strong research and development culture, Exelixis continues to play a meaningful role in the evolving landscape of cancer treatment.
Investor Outlook
With a B (Buy) Weiss Rating, Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) appears favorably positioned for investors watching for potential continued gains in the Health Care space. Attention may focus on how the company executes against its pipeline, responds to shifting regulatory and reimbursement trends, and maintains its overall risk/reward profile relative to other Buy-rated peers. See full rankings of all B-rated Health Care stocks inside the Weiss Stock Screener.
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