Health-care companies rose as the massive vaccination drives worldwide looked set to bolster profits in the sector.
Shares of BioNTech rose sharply and shares of its larger partner Pfizer rose slightly after trial data showed their vaccine was highly effective in inoculating 12-to-15 year olds against Covid-19. The vaccine was 100% effective in protecting against symptomatic disease in a study of more than 2,200 children, the companies said.
Higher daily case counts in many states have created a renewed sense of urgency in the U.S. vaccination drive.
Drug-store chain Walgreens Boots Alliance said profits administering Covid-19 vaccines should begin to offset pandemic-related losses as more people get shots and the U.S. government pays a higher reimbursement rate.
Shares of several cannabis and cannabis-related companies rose after New York state legalized the recreational use of marijuana for adults.
Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
03-31-21 1628ET
