PAVmed Inc. (NASDAQ:PAVM) saw a substantial increase in its share price on Wednesday, driven primarily by positive news emanating from its subsidiary, Lucid Diagnostics Inc. (NASDAQ:LUCD). Lucid Diagnostics announced it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for its EsoGuard Esophageal DNA Test, a diagnostic tool designed to detect esophageal precancerous conditions. This development is a key catalyst behind PAVmed's notable stock appreciation, which occurred alongside a broadly positive trading environment marked by a 0.70% rise in the Nasdaq Composite Index.
The contract with the VA significantly extends the reach of the EsoGuard test by incorporating it into the VA healthcare system, which serves an extensive population of over nine million veterans annually. Integral to this agreement is the pre-negotiated pricing structure, which harmonizes with Medicare reimbursement rates. This alignment simplifies procurement for VA facilities and enhances accessibility to this diagnostic procedure across the VA network.
Shaun O’Neil, President and Chief Operating Officer of Lucid Diagnostics, emphasized the importance of this partnership, highlighting the robust clinical data underpinning EsoGuard's medical utility. The company’s strategic objective is to integrate EsoGuard into standard clinical workflows within diverse healthcare systems, thereby advancing efforts in cancer prevention and early diagnosis.
Market conditions were broadly favourable during the day, with the S&P 500 index closing up 0.66%. PAVmed’s share price trajectory appears to be in concert with these broader market tailwinds.
From a technical perspective, PAVmed displays striking strength. The stock is presently trading 167.1% above its 20-day simple moving average (SMA) and 84.9% above its 100-day SMA. This indicates a robust short-term upward momentum. When evaluating the price movement over the past year, shares have appreciated by 8.05%, situating the stock nearer to its 52-week high as opposed to its low.
Technical indicators provide a nuanced picture of momentum: the Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 35.62, which is generally viewed as neutral, whereas the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) remains above its signal line, signaling bullish dynamics. This combination suggests that while momentum is mixed, there is an undercurrent of buying pressure supporting the share price.
Key technical levels to watch include a resistance threshold at $25.00 and a support level around $17.00, which may guide future price action.
Investor attention is also directed toward PAVmed’s upcoming earnings report scheduled for release on March 24, 2026. Analyst projections anticipate earnings per share (EPS) of -$4.62, a decline from the previous year’s -$1.80. Revenue estimates suggest a modest increase to $0.03 million, up from $0.01 million year-over-year, reflecting anticipated growth albeit from a small revenue base.
Analyst consensus currently positions the stock with a Buy rating and an average price target of approximately $755.53. However, recent analyst moves include a notable adjustment; Ascendiant Capital downgraded its price target to $17.00 while maintaining a Buy rating as of December 10, 2025.
PAVmed’s profile on the Benzinga Edge rankings underscores the stock's compelling momentum with a score of 89 out of 100, reflecting its outperformance relative to the broader market. Conversely, the valuation score is cautionary, at 4 out of 100, indicating that the stock trades at a substantial premium compared to peers. Growth potential is assessed as strong, with a score of 77 out of 100, signaling expectations for expansion.
This juxtaposition of strong momentum against elevated valuation typifies a 'High-Flyer' configuration, suggesting that investors are pricing the stock with high expectations. Consequently, while the trend presents opportunities, vigilant risk management is advisable. Employing stop-loss measures is prudent to guard against downside risk if market conditions shift.
At the time of publication, PAVmed shares were trading up 291.11% at $17.80 based on Benzinga Pro data, underscoring the substantial short-term price appreciation catalyzed by the Lucid Diagnostics VA contract announcement.