Pfizer again, plus some Boeing and Brexit

19 nov 2020

After the US elections, the focus of the markets shifted to the pandemic and news from the world of vaccines. So the news of the day again was the information about the final results of the COVID-19 vaccine trial from Pfizer Inc.

Recall, according to preliminary data, the effectiveness of the vaccine was 90%. Since then, Moderna has announced that their vaccine is 94.5% effective. But according to the final results from Pfizer, the effectiveness of their vaccine is 95%.

Most importantly, since testing is complete, Pfizer is about to apply for a US emergency acceptance. According to Pfizer, the vaccine committee meeting will take place in December. That is, about a month remains to wait until an officially approved and effective vaccine appears on the shelves.

But do not forget that it will be months (rather quarters), before its widespread use begins and a turning point in the pandemic takes place.

US regulators intend to allow the Boeing 737 MAX to fly again after a nearly two-year pause. As a reminder, this aircraft was Boeing's most financially successful until two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. But given the scale of the crisis in the airline industry and its rather bleak prospects, the news failed to trigger a steady rise in Boeing's stock.

Note that just a few days ago Bill Gates said that according to his forecasts, after the pandemic, the number of business trips will decrease by more than 50%. Before the pandemic, it was business travel that accounted for half (!) of US airlines' revenues.

It is reported that France has agreed that its fishing rights in UK waters will be limited after the end of the transition period on 31 December. Note what exactly is one of the most serious obstacles on the way to a Brexit deal.