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From our partners at Weiss Ratings

Dear Reader,

If you operate a standard checking or savings account, your money could be moved onto a new government-controlled network called FedNow.

The Fed is calling it a “speed upgrade” for the banking system.

They are telling banks …

“Join our new FedNow network and your customers will be able to send and receive money in seconds. Any time. Any day. Holidays included.”

No wonder over 1,500 banks and credit unions have already signed on.

But here’s what nobody’s talking about …

For the first time in history, every single transaction moving through the US banking system will pass through one centralized “Fed-controlled” hub …

Silently tracking every purchase, transfer, bill payment and donation you make.

Currently, $2 TRILLION worth of transactions go through the traditional network every single day. But soon, it will be funneled through the new network that the Federal Reserve has built, operates and can see in real time.

That’s the part buried in the Federal Reserve Docket No. OP-1670.

In fact, on page 84 of the 93-page document, they admit that it will make it easier to track the spending of Americans.

That’s why I’ve put together 4 steps to “Fed proof” your savings before FedNow grants them complete control over your savings.

Discover the 4 simple steps here.

Good luck and God bless!

Martin D. Weiss, PhD
Weiss Ratings Founder

P.S. I’ve been watching government moves into personal finance for over 50 years. Cyprus savers didn’t see it coming in 2013. Canadian truckers didn’t see it coming in 2022. Don’t let FedNow catch you off guard. See the 4 “Fed proof” steps before it’s too late.

---

Exclusive Article

Viking Therapeutics: The High-Stakes Weight Loss Contender

Author: Jeffrey Neal Johnson. Article Published: 2/26/2026. 

Key Points

• The company has achieved significant clinical milestones by advancing both injectable and oral formulations of its lead weight loss candidate into late-stage trials.
• Strategic moves, including a major manufacturing agreement and the hiring of a seasoned commercial executive, demonstrate a strong commitment to future market readiness.
• Wall Street analysts project substantial upside for the stock as the company capitalizes on the immense demand for effective new treatments in the obesity sector.
• Special Report: The Market Reset Is Coming—Here’s How to Read It Early(From Krypton Street)

The pharmaceutical industry is in the midst of a historic gold rush around obesity treatments. While giants like Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) and Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) dominate headlines and pharmacy shelves, supply shortages and high prices have opened the door for challengers. Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX) has emerged as the most advanced clinical-stage contender vying for a share of this market.

Trading around $34 in late February, Viking is a high-beta growth play rather than a stable, dividend-paying stock. That means higher volatility than the broader sector — and potentially greater upside. Viking now balances the potential of a sizable buyout premium against the operational risks of taking on the industry leaders.

The Weapon of Choice: Speed and Differentiation

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Viking’s lead asset is VK2735, a dual agonist targeting GLP-1 and GIP receptors — the same biology behind some of the most effective obesity treatments, including Zepbound. What sets Viking apart is the pace of development and the breadth of its approach.

The company recently completed enrollment for its Phase 3 VANQUISH-1 obesity trial, exceeding its target enrollment of 4,500 patients ahead of schedule. That rapid enrollment signals strong patient demand for alternatives and investigator enthusiasm for Viking’s molecule. VANQUISH-2, which studies obesity in people with Type 2 diabetes, is also nearing full enrollment in the first quarter of 2026.

Perhaps the clearest differentiator is the oral program. Viking is advancing an oral formulation of VK2735 that produced up to 12.2% weight loss in Phase 2. Phase 3 trials for the oral version are slated to begin in the third quarter of 2026.

Most current therapies require weekly injections, which can deter some patients. Viking is one of the few companies developing a dual agonist in both injectable and oral forms, enabling a flexible treatment paradigm:

• Induction: Rapid weight loss via injection.
• Maintenance: Daily oral therapy to sustain results.

That flexibility could keep patients within the Viking ecosystem throughout treatment — a notable advantage over single-format therapies.

Built to Buy or Built to Last?

Wall Street has long viewed Viking as an attractive takeover target for a major pharma company seeking entry into obesity treatments. Viking’s management, however, appears to be pursuing a dual-track strategy: positioning the company for acquisition while also building the capability to launch independently.

That strategy is evident in recent hires. In January 2026, Viking appointed Neil Aubuchon as Chief Commercial Officer. Aubuchon spent nearly 17 years at Eli Lilly, and his move suggests confidence in Viking’s commercial potential.

Viking also signed a comprehensive agreement with CordenPharma to support commercial-scale manufacturing of VK2735. Manufacturing has been a persistent pain point for leaders in the space; by securing a top-tier partner, Viking mitigates a frequent execution risk for smaller biotechs.

With manufacturing capacity and experienced commercial leadership in place, Viking becomes a turnkey operation. That raises the bar for acquirers and could force potential buyers to pay a premium, since the company can realistically compete on its own if a deal does not materialize.

Burning Cash to Build Value

Biotech growth is costly, and Viking’s financials reflect that investment. In its fourth-quarter earnings report released in February 2026, the company reported a loss of $1.38 per share versus analyst estimates of a $0.89 loss. The wider loss was driven primarily by R&D expenses, which rose to $345 million for the fiscal year from $101.6 million the prior year.

Investors should view that spending as purposeful: Viking is funding extensive, concurrent Phase 3 trials. The company’s balance sheet also offers comfort:

• Liquidity: $706 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments.
• Runway: That liquidity should fund operations through the major data readouts in 2026, reducing the need for an immediate dilutive capital raise.

Still, skepticism persists. As of late January 2026, short interest in Viking was about 26 million shares, roughly 24% of the float. High short interest creates the potential for sharp, volatile moves.

Short sellers are betting the stock will fall. If Viking posts positive news — such as completing VANQUISH-2 enrollment or securing an IND filing for a new amylin agonist — short sellers may rush to cover, creating buying pressure and a potential short squeeze.

The divergence between market sentiment and analyst expectations is striking. While the stock traded in the mid-$30s, the average analyst price target was $87.80, implying more than 150% upside if Viking executes its plan.

The Final Weigh-In: Risk Meets Reward

Viking Therapeutics offers a high-stakes opportunity in a lucrative, fast-moving sector. The company has moved from early research into late-stage execution: VANQUISH-1 is fully enrolled and the oral program is advancing toward Phase 3. At the same time, the dual-track approach of securing manufacturing and commercial expertise provides optionality — either a lucrative buyout or an independent launch.

That optionality comes with volatility. Viking’s stock reacts strongly to news from larger competitors, and elevated short interest increases the likelihood of abrupt swings. For risk-tolerant investors, Viking’s cash reserves and advanced clinical program present a compelling thesis. The immediate catalyst to watch is the completion of enrollment in the VANQUISH-2 diabetes trial, expected later this quarter.

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