US open: Stocks extend gains on Pfizer 3 shot optimism
Pfizer reports that 3 shots of its COVID vaccine with BioNTech neutralises Omicron. But can governments beat the virus in a race to booster jabs?
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US futures
Dow futures +0.13% at 35780
S&P futures +0.13% at 4694
Nasdaq futures +0.6% at 16331
In Europe
FTSE +0.18% at 7355
Dax -0.6% at 15728
Euro Stoxx -0.5% at 4257
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The booster race begins
US stocks are pointing to a mildly higher open, adding to strong gains in the previous session. News that 3 doses of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID vaccine neutralizes Omicron is helping to keep the market mood buoyant for another session.
In the first official statement from vaccine manufacturers on efficacy against Omicron, Pfizer & BioNtech said that the two doses of the vaccine resulted in lower neutralizing antibodies. With Omicron demanding 3 doses the race is on for governments to ramp up the booster jab rollout. However, given how contagious the new variant appears to be there are doubts over whether the race can be one without further lockdowns. The British government is considering implementing measures to stem the spread of the virus; news which is taking the shine off the Pfizer announcement.
Looking ahead JOLTS job opening data could help to swing attention back towards the Fed ahead of Friday’s inflation numbers.
Where next for the Dow Jones?
The Dow has been extending its rebound from33950 the December low. Having retaken the 50 & 100 sma the move higher appears to be running out of steam. The Dow has rallied over 3.3% across the past two sessions. Even so it would take a move below 33950 for the bullish bias to change to bearish.
FX – USD rebounds, GBP drops on lockdown fears
The USD is clawing back earlier losses following the Pfizer news. Should 3 jabs of Pfizer neutralize Omicron, the economic recovery can continue and the Fed could hike rates faster.
GBP/USD trades lower, underperforming peers, amid growing speculation that the British government could bring in Plan B, soon. Plan B would mean imposing a new wave of COVID restrictions, potentially derailing the economic recovery. Reports indicate that the Government’s COVID-O subcommittee will meet later today to discuss.
GBP/USD -0.37% at 1.3196
EUR/USD +0.24% at 1.1291
Oil pauses for breath
Oil prices are holding steady just a few points higher on Wednesday after surging over 8% across the start of the week. Investors are assessing the latest Omicron headlines in order to piece together the potential impact to global growth and the oil demand outlook for oil. Whilst news the 3 doses of Pfizer neutralize Omicron supports oil prices this is being balanced our with headlines that the UK could see COVID measures tightened including working from home.
Oil barely reacted to API stockpile data which showed that stock piles fell last week whilst gasoline inventories rose.
WTI crude trades +0.3% at $71.94
Brent trades +0.2% at $75.66
Learn more about trading oil here.
Looking ahead
15:00 US JOLTS job openings
15:00 BoC rate decision
15:30 EIA crude oil inventories
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