Wall Street to start higher as vaccine optimism persists

The main indices on Wall Street look set to start Wednesday’s session in the green as traders in New York continue to cling to optimism over a potential coronavirus vaccine.

Spread-betters are expecting the Dow Jones Industrial Average to open around 195 points higher, while the S&P 500 is expected to rise 30 points and the Nasdaq is predicted to jump 133 points at the opening bell.

Speaking of vaccines, pharma firm Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) may be back in focus for traders following news that the European Union has agreed to buy up to 300mln doses of its vaccine which it has developed in partnership with German group BioNTech.

The company has said that deliveries of the vaccine could begin by the end of the year, provided it secures approval from the European Medicines Agency.

“The vaccine news feels like a real game-changer for these markets. The first time in months that optimism is driven by the prospect of permanent economic reopenings and a return to normality, as opposed to emergency stimulus measures and a booming pandemic-proof tech sector. It’s far healthier for these markets in the long term”, said OANDA’s Craig Erlam.

“Huge hurdles remain, not least final approval for the vaccine once all of the data is properly analysed. But the recent development was really significant. The last few days has felt like an enormous rush of relief through the markets rather the usual FOMO surge. With other vaccine candidates in late-stage trials, more good news could follow in the final weeks of the year which could ensure that these markets end of a high. It’s far too early to throw terms like Santa rally around but December may be a very good month if certain things fall into place as they very well could”, he added.

Four things to watch for on Wednesday:

• Oil stocks may be in focus following a rise in crude prices. WTI crude is currently trading at around US$42.51 a barrel, it highest level since August, while Brent is at US$44.79, a level not reaches since early September
• There aren’t many big corporate names in the results calendar, although US gases and chemicals group Air Products & Chemicals Inc (NYSE:APD) may provide some flavour with its fourth quarter earnings
• While the equities markets will still be opening on Veteran’s Day, investors will be keeping clear of the bond market, which will be closed until Thursday
• Politics will also continue to rumble in the background as the litigation over the US election results by the Trump campaign continues. However with the claims mostly baseless it remains unclear how exactly the President plans to pull some kind of victory from his defeat at the ballot box

Story by ProactiveInvestors