By Tolu Ajiboye
Edited by Julia Sakovich
Updated
3 min read
Covid vaccine stocks, including Moderna, BioNTech, and Novavax have all closed higher as new vaccinations and treatments roll out.
Makers of Covid vaccines had their stocks climb on Monday following reports that new variants were discovered in the United States. The rise in these stocks coincides with preparation for new immunization sensitization as new Covid cases rise.
Novavax Inc (NASDAQ: NVAX) had the highest jump, with the biotech company closing more than 13% higher on the day, while Moderna Inc (NASDAQ: MRNA) rose by 9%. Others were BioNTech SE (NASDAQ: BNTX) at a 6% climb and Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) at nearly 1%.
The rise in these Covid vaccine stocks is a silver lining for the company, especially as their shares have all dropped this year. Since January, as Covid vaccine treatments have fallen nationwide, each of the four companies has lost at least 20%. However, as new variants spread, biotech companies might experience boosts in their stocks.
Covid vaccine companies are already designing new shots for the EG.5 or Eris, a new Covid strain in the US. While this strain may not cause more severe symptoms, Eris may be more resistant to immunity from past infections, treatments, or vaccinations. Already, Novavax, Pfizer, and Moderna have said their new shots should be strong enough to tackle Eris. The shots were created for XBB.1.5, a variation of omicron.
Unfortunately, there are other variants of the Covid virus that biotech companies would have to worry about. For instance, there is the BA.2.86 omicron strain detected in several parts of the US, Denmark, Israel, and the UK. Although only a few cases are on record, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are particular about this strain. The organizations have noticed that the strain has 36 new mutations different from XBB.1.5.
Although BA.2.86 may not be more severe or more easily contractible, its spread could pressure Covid vaccine companies but boost their stocks. However, whether the new shots can handle both Eris and BA.2.86 is unclear.
Last year, Novavax reported its first profitable quarter in Q1 amid plans for a worldwide rollout of its Covid vaccine. However, the company did miss estimates for revenue and earnings even though the $203 million net income recorded was a significant improvement over the $222 million loss for the same quarter the year before. This year, Novavax has forecast a full-year sales range up to $1.6 billion. The company’s stock jumped 30% after announcing Q1 results following news of new Covid and flu vaccines.
For Moderna, Marketwatch data shows that MRNA has climbed over 15% in the last 5 days. However, most other metrics show a plunge in the biotech company’s stock. In the last month, MRNA fell nearly 9%, and 19% over three months. Since January, Moderna has lost over 38% of its stock value.
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Tolu is a cryptocurrency and blockchain enthusiast based in Lagos. He likes to demystify crypto stories to the bare basics so that anyone anywhere can understand without too much background knowledge. When he's not neck-deep in crypto stories, Tolu enjoys music, loves to sing and is an avid movie lover.
