Health-care companies ticked up as investors sought out defensive areas such as Big Pharma and health insurers.
Pfizer shares rose slightly after it forecast $26 billion in sales from the Covid-19 vaccine it co-developed with BioNTech this year alone, a major increase from several months ago that reflects the shot's growing role in the global vaccination campaign.
CVS Health said demand for Covid-19 vaccinations has fallen by about 30% recently as Americans' hesitancy to receive the shots outweighs expanding eligibility and access.
India's case tally rose above 20 million, after nearly doubling in three months, with its official death toll rising to 220,000. Observers in the populous nation say the death toll appears to be far higher, with people forced to improvise funeral pyres because crematoria are turning them away.
Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
05-04-21 1709ET
