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Coronavirus vaccine developments

Coronavirus vaccine developments
  • Investment Insights
  • 5 minute read

What has happened?

The UK became the first country to approve and administer the vaccine which drug company Pfizer has developed in concert with a German firm named BioNtech. The vaccine demonstrated greater than 90% efficacy in the interim analysis of the trial, meaning that it mostly stops patients developing the Covid-19 symptoms that help spread the virus. It is comfortably above the 50% threshold that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had indicated would be required for a vaccine to be approved. We do not yet know for how long this vaccine affords protection or whether so-called antigenic mutations of the virus will require the vaccine to be periodically altered, much as with annual flu vaccines.

Who is getting vaccinated first?

Not everyone is getting the vaccine at the same time. The UK Government is prioritising the vulnerable, the elderly, and frontline workers, which typically make up 20% of the population. The UK has doses on order with Pfizer to treat just over half of its elderly, and care and health workers. For this reason, there will be a market for several vaccines. Transportation and safe storage (including refrigeration) of vaccines may prove tricky logistically.

What does this mean for the economy?

The fact that an effective vaccine is now being rolled out is evidently good news for the economy as, without one, it is hard to see an end to social restrictions, which have a high cost to the economy. Meaningful progress could be made on vaccination programmes in developed countries in 2021, which makes a return to “normal” possible. The quicker-than-expected rollout of the vaccine could boost global growth by 0.5 percentage points in 2021. However, progress on vaccines will not be quick enough to stop the current wave of coronavirus infections, which has necessitated social restrictions in most developed market economies. These measures appear to have slowed the spread of the virus in the UK and Europe but, until vaccination is widespread, cases are likely to rise again when social restrictions are relaxed. With this in mind, immediate economic data is likely to remain weak. Segments of the economy remain closed, weighing on the labour market.

What does this mean for markets?

When Pfizer released data on the efficacy of their vaccine, markets rallied spectacularly. Areas of the market worst impacted by the pandemic were the biggest beneficiaries, including travel and leisure, while companies that have benefitted from pandemic-induced changes to living habits sold off. At a broader level, the move is supportive for global growth, benefitting companies exposed to the economic cycle. This also means investors may be less willing to pay a premium for structural growth stories. Longer-term inflation and interest rate expectations have also revived, though near-term bond yields remain depressed, reflecting the fact that interest rates are likely to remain low for some time.

Conclusion?

Successfully developing and distributing vaccines globally is the surest route to fully reopening the economy. It will take time for the economy to feel the advantage and the impact may be uneven globally, with the US likely the first economy to benefit. The efficacy of national health policies will continue to determine how each economy fares and fiscal stimulus will continue to be important near-term, magnifying the inequitable impact of Covid-19 on the global economy. Nonetheless, an effective vaccine is great news in the quest to save lives and reignite global growth.

 

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The information contained in this document is believed to be correct but cannot be guaranteed. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. An investor may not get back the original amount invested. Opinions constitute our judgment as at the date shown and are subject to change without notice. This document is not intended as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities, nor does it constitute a personal recommendation. Where links to third party websites are provided, Close Brothers Asset Management accepts no responsibility for the content of such websites nor the services, products or items offered through such websites.

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