BlackRock Cuts Vir Biotechnology Stake to 4.3%

TL;DR

**BlackRock trimmed its Vir Bio stake to 4.3%, signaling a potential bearish shift.**

AI Summary

BlackRock Inc. filed an amended SC 13G/A on January 23, 2024, disclosing its ownership in Vir Biotechnology, Inc. As of December 31, 2023, BlackRock holds 5,744,204 shares of Vir Biotechnology's Common Stock, representing 4.3% of the company. This is a decrease from their previous reported stake, indicating BlackRock has reduced its position. This matters to investors because a major institutional investor like BlackRock reducing its stake could signal a less bullish outlook on Vir Biotechnology's future prospects, potentially influencing other investors' decisions.

Why It Matters

This filing shows BlackRock, a major institutional investor, has reduced its ownership in Vir Biotechnology, which could be interpreted as a decrease in confidence in the company's future performance.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: medium — A large institutional investor reducing its stake can create selling pressure or signal concerns, posing a medium risk to current and prospective shareholders.

Analyst Insight

A smart investor would investigate the reasons behind BlackRock's reduction in stake and consider if it aligns with their own investment thesis for Vir Biotechnology, potentially re-evaluating their position or delaying new investments.

Key Numbers

• 5,744,204 — Shares Owned (BlackRock's total beneficial ownership in Vir Biotechnology as of December 31, 2023.)
• 4.3% — Percentage of Class (BlackRock's ownership percentage of Vir Biotechnology's Common Stock, indicating a reduction from previous filings.)

Key Players & Entities

• BlackRock Inc. (company) — reporting person, institutional investor
• Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (company) — subject company, issuer of securities
• 5,744,204 (dollar_amount) — number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by BlackRock Inc.
• 4.3% (dollar_amount) — percentage of class beneficially owned by BlackRock Inc.
• December 31, 2023 (date) — date of event requiring the filing
• January 23, 2024 (date) — filing date of the SC 13G/A

Forward-Looking Statements

• Vir Biotechnology's stock price may experience downward pressure due to BlackRock's reduced stake. (Vir Biotechnology, Inc.) — medium confidence, target: Q1 2024
• Other institutional investors might re-evaluate their positions in Vir Biotechnology following BlackRock's move. (Institutional Investors) — medium confidence, target: Q1 2024

FAQ

From the Filing

0001086364-24-001765.txt : 20240123 0001086364-24-001765.hdr.sgml : 20240123 20240123161401 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001086364-24-001765 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13G/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20240123 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20240123 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Vir Biotechnology, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001706431 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS (NO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES) [2836] ORGANIZATION NAME: 03 Life Sciences IRS NUMBER: 812730369 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13G/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-91177 FILM NUMBER: 24552785 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1800 OWENS STREET STREET 2: SUITE 900 CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94158 BUSINESS PHONE: 415-906-4324 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1800 OWENS STREET STREET 2: SUITE 900 CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94158 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BlackRock Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364742 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES [6211] ORGANIZATION NAME: 02 Finance IRS NUMBER: 320174431 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13G/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 HUDSON YARDS CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10001 BUSINESS PHONE: 212-810-5300 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 HUDSON YARDS CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10001 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: BlackRock, Inc. DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20060929 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: New BlackRock, Inc. DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20060601 SC 13G/A 1 us92764n1028_012324.txt us92764n1028_012324.txt SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 13G Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No: 2) Vir Biotechnology, Inc. -------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Issuer) Common Stock -------------------------------------------------------- (Title of Class of Securities) 92764N102 -------------------------------------------------------- (CUSIP Number) December 31, 2023 -------------------------------------------------------- (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement) Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed: [X] Rule 13d-1(b) [ ] Rule 13d-1(c) [ ] Rule 13d-1(d) *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). CUSIP No. 92764N102 (1)Names of reporting persons. BlackRock, Inc. (2) Check the appropriate box if a member of a group (a) [ ] (b) [X] (3) SEC use only (4) Citizenship or place of organization Delaware Number of shares beneficially owned by each reporting person with: (5) Sole voting power 16256978 (6) Shared voting power 0 (7) Sole dispositive power 16864579 (8) Shared dispositive power 0 (9) Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person 16864579 (10) Check if the aggregate amount in Row (9) excludes certain shares (11) Percent of class represented by amount in Row 9 12.5% (12) Type of reporting person HC Item 1. Item 1(a) Name of issuer: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Vir Biotechnology, Inc. Item 1(b) Address of issuer's principal executive offices: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 1800 OWENS STREETSUITE 900 SAN FRANCISCO CA 94158 Item 2. 2(a) Name of person filing: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BlackRock, Inc. 2(b) Address or pr