Vaccine Stocks Surge as New COVID Concerns Emerge from China—Is Another Wave Coming?
2 min read
Fresh concerns about COVID-19 developments in China sent ripples through the stock market on Friday, boosting vaccine makers while weighing down travel stocks.
Shares of Moderna (MRNA), Pfizer (PFE), and Novavax (NVAX) all saw gains, even as the broader market struggled— with the S&P 500 dropping 1.7%. Moderna led the pack, jumping over 5%, making it the biggest gainer on the index.
On the flip side, fears of potential travel disruptions hit international travel stocks hard. Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCLH) took a major hit, plunging over 6%, ranking among the day’s worst performers.
With uncertainty brewing, investors are closely watching for further developments—will vaccine makers continue to climb, or is this just a temporary shift?
Vaccine Stocks Surge as Fresh COVID Concerns from China Resurface—But Is the Risk Real?
Shares of vaccine makers saw a notable uptick on Friday following reports from the South China Morning Post, Daily Mail, and other outlets about a new bat coronavirus identified by Chinese researchers. The scientists suggested that the virus could potentially jump from animals to humans, reigniting pandemic fears and prompting a market reaction.
However, not everyone is convinced this poses an immediate threat. Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, speaking on CNBC, downplayed the concerns, stating, “We find these things pretty routinely” and adding that the connection to any imminent risk “is pretty flimsy, quite frankly.”
Markets Face a Wild Ride Amid Multiple Headwinds
While vaccine stocks gained momentum, broader markets were shaken by multiple forces. Health insurance stocks took a hit after reports surfaced that the Justice Department is investigating UnitedHealth Group (UNH), casting uncertainty over the sector. Meanwhile, tech stocks struggled as earnings reports triggered investor jitters.
Adding to the turbulence, cruise line stocks, which had already been under pressure earlier in the week, slid further after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested they could face new U.S. taxes—a development that sent investors rushing to reassess their positions.
What’s Next?
With economic uncertainty, regulatory pressures, and new virus concerns swirling, the stock market is navigating a whirlwind of unpredictability. Investors are now watching closely—will vaccine stocks continue their climb, or was this just a short-lived reaction?
Read the original article: Chinese Researchers Discover Bat Virus That Uses Same Entry Pathway as COVID-19—Should We Be Concerned? – https://nowtrend.net/chinese-researchers-discover-bat-virus-that-uses-same-entry-pathway-as-covid-19-should-we-be-concerned/
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