Why Moderna Stock Was Down 31.8% in Q1 as the S&P 500 Had Its Worst Quarter Since 2022

Core Insights - The first quarter of 2025 was challenging for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite, with losses of 4.6% and 10.4% respectively, impacting shares of Moderna which fell by 31.8% [1] - Moderna's revenue has significantly declined post-pandemic, with 2022 sales of $19.3 billion dropping to just$3.2 billion in 2024, reflecting a more than 50% year-over-year decline [2] - The company has lowered its sales guidance for 2025 to a range of $1 billion, down from previous expectations of$2.5 billion to $3.5 billion, indicating weakened demand for its vaccines [3] Financial Performance - Moderna's sales have plummeted since the pandemic, with a stark contrast between 2022 and 2024 figures [2] - The company is now projecting sales for 2025 to be between$1.5 billion and $2.5 billion, a significant reduction from earlier forecasts [3] Cost-Cutting Measures - In response to declining revenues, Moderna is accelerating cost-cutting plans aimed at reducing expenses by$1 billion in 2025 [4] Regulatory Environment - The resignation of Peter Marks, a key FDA official, has raised concerns among investors, as it may lead to delays in vaccine development programs [5][6] - The political climate surrounding the FDA has been described as a "significant negative" for biotech and biopharma companies, particularly for vaccine manufacturers like Moderna [6]