The "COVID trade" went full-tilt on Monday amid a breakthrough on the coronavirus vaccine front.
This morning, Pfizer (PFE, +7.7%) and partner BioNTech (BNTX, +13.9%) announced results from an interim efficacy analysis showing their trial vaccine "to be more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 in participants without evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection."
The news sparked a wild rally, albeit an imbalanced one.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average shot 3.0% higher to 29,157, eclipsing its previous all-time high set Sept. 2, on the strength of cyclical stocks such as American Express (AXP, +21.4%), Boeing (BA, +13.7%) and JPMorgan Chase (JPM, +13.5%). Battered stocks in industries such as airlines and cruise operators soared, too – in fact, these 11 stocks for a "vaccine pop" gained 22.1% on average Monday.
"If last week's global equity rally is able to sustain this momentum it will be interesting to watch and see whether the growth trade continues or whether or not there will be a sustained rotation into cyclical and value oriented stocks," says Brian Price, head of investment management for Commonwealth Financial Network.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite, long the hero in 2020, suffered a precipitous 1.5% drop to 11,713 amid weakness in mega-caps such as Amazon.com (AMZN, -5.1%) and Facebook (FB, -5.0%).
Other action in the stock market today:
- The small-cap Russell 2000 also rewrote the record books, gaining 3.7% to an all-time high 1,705.
- The S&P 500 gained 1.2% to 3,550.
- McDonald's (MCD) kicked off this week's earnings reports by announcing Street-beating profits and sales, as well as its plans to launch "McPlant" burgers next year. However, it still declined 1.5%.
Political Trades Continue, Too
The market's shot in the arm today wasn't solely about shots in the arms, however. Futures already were signaling gains after the media's major "decision desks" called the presidential election in favor of Joe Biden this weekend.
"Joe Biden emerged victorious, although a Democratic 'blue wave' failed to materialize," says Jeff Schulze, investment strategist at ClearBridge Investments. "Investors have initially cheered this more moderate outcome, with equities rallying and the VIX falling."
Canaccord Genuity equity strategist Tony Dwyer calls it "a market-friendly election outcome."
"The election outcome has likely neutralized the far left and far right tail risk of the political spectrum, which could allow a more centrist view and set of policy initiatives," he says. "The results suggest there is no major mandate or majority that would go right to work on big policy changes. That means investors can again focus on the most powerful influence in the world – a historically accommodative Fed and global central banks."
Various areas of the market widely believed to benefit from Biden's expected policies – industrial stocks, electric vehicles and marijuana stocks among them – finished with robust gains today.
Just how far so-called Biden stocks can go from here isn't completely clear, in large part because control of the Senate hasn't been cemented yet. Read on as we evaluate an expanded list of the best stocks to own under a Biden administration.
Kyle Woodley was long AMZN and BA as of this writing.
-
Use the 'Newton Rule' to Grow Your 401(k) Retirement SavingsHarnessing Sir Isaac Newton's rule of retirement can boost your 401(k) savings while you chill.
-
Are You a Small Business Owner Buckling Under Economic Pressure? Here's How You Can CopeSignificant emotional and financial challenges, including tariff worries, are piling up on small business leaders. Here's how leaders can develop more healthy coping strategies and systems of support.
-
Rally Fades on Mixed AI Revolution News: Stock Market TodayAll three main U.S. equity indexes opened higher but closed lower as a seven-session winning streak for the S&P 500 came to an end.
-
S&P 500 Sees New Highs on Shutdown Day: Stock Market TodayMost of its components were in the red, but the S&P 500 Index still managed to hit a new intraday all-time high.
-
If You'd Put $1,000 Into Bank of America Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have TodayBank of America stock has been a massive buy-and-hold bust.
-
If You'd Put $1,000 Into Oracle Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have TodayORCL Oracle stock has been an outstanding buy-and-hold bet for decades.
-
Dow Adds 300 Points, Ends Losing Streak: Stock Market TodayThe Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq head into the weekend on high notes after posting gains for the first time since Monday.
-
Stocks Fall Again as Big Tech Struggles: Stock Market TodayThe economic calendar was a bright spot for Wall Street Wednesday, with new home sales climbing to a three-year high.
-
Stocks Drop on Mag 7 Weakness: Stock Market TodayThe main indexes retreated from all-time-high territory as several of Wall Street's biggest stocks declined.
-
Dow Hits New Intraday High on Fed Day: Stock Market TodayNot even the most important stock in the world could keep the oldest equity index down on a significant day for markets.
