European stocks resume climb after positive vaccine update from Pfizer

European stocks closed higher on Wednesday as more positive updates on Covid-19 vaccine and merger activity helped offset worries about the fast-spreading virus.

After a sluggish start, markets were boosted by news that final results from Pfizer’s vaccine trial showed it had a 95 per cent success rate.

Dublin

The Iseq closed 1.15 per cent higher on a day when upward momentum resumed across Europe. The Irish market outperformed the major European indices helped by a 3.9 per cent gain for Ryanair, which erased its loss in the previous session and closed at €15.46.

Building materials group CRH had a good day, advancing 1 per cent to €34.08, while the banks were also back in a positive mood, with AIB nudging up 0.3 per cent to €1.30 and Bank of Ireland rising 1.3 per cent to €2.66.

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Flutter Entertainment, the owner of Paddy Power and Betfair, was another stock to follow up a negative Tuesday with Wednesday gain, finishing up 2.3 per cent at €145.50.

Kerry Group was also in the green, adding 1.35 per cent to €120.30, but food group Glanbia slipped 0.75 per cent to €9.91.

Insulation-maker Kingspan fell 0.5 per cent to €74.35, while packaging giant Smurfit Kappa edged down about 0.2 per cent to €36.94.

London

British mid-caps rose as hopes of a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU and further positive vaccine data from Pfizer offset concerns about economic damage from surging coronavirus cases.

The domestically focused FTSE 250 index closed 0.9 per cent higher, with shares in Micro Focus International surging 31.2 per cent after the software firm forecast a higher annual margin.

After falling nearly 0.6 per cent in morning trade, the blue-chip FTSE 100 index ended 0.3 per cent higher, after Pfizer disclosed final results from its late-stage vaccine trial. Cyclical stocks such as banks, housebuilders and energy companies rose, although a stronger pound capped gains on the index.

RSA Insurance Group jumped 4.6 per cent after it agreed a £7.2 billion cash takeover offer by overseas rivals, Canada's Intact Financial and Denmark's Tryg.

Halfords Group fell 4.6 per cent after the bicycles and car products retailer sounded cautious about its second-half outlook due to lockdowns.

Europe

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 0.4 per cent, returning to the eight-month high hit earlier this week. The German Dax and the French Cac 40 both added 0.5 per cent.

However, the market response to Pfizer’s update was measured as investors expect any vaccine rollout to take time, while more US and European restrictions in the absence of fresh stimulus could weigh on economic activity.

Deutsche Boerse rose 2.4 per cent after the German stock exchange operator said it would acquire an 80 per cent stake in corporate governance adviser Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) for about $1.8 billion.

German automotive supplier Schaeffler fell 5.3 per cent after it set mid-term sales targets that disappointed investors.

Shipping group Maersk slipped 1 per cent after it reported quarterly sales and operating profit in line with previous forecast and maintained its earnings forecast.

US

Wall Street edged higher in early trading as investors weighed signs that scientists are making fast progress toward a coronavirus vaccine with news of fresh restrictions to curtail the spread. Bitcoin surged past $18,000 for the first time since December 2017 before paring gains.

Small-cap stocks outperformed tech, a trade favoured by investors looking toward an end to virus lockdowns even as governments eye new curbs on activity.

Pfizer rose after releasing new data on its Covid-19 vaccine, paving the way for the company to apply for the first US regulatory authorisation for a coronavirus shot within days.

Boeing climbed as the Federal Aviation Administration ruled that the 737 Max will be cleared to fly after extensive fixes. – Additional reporting: Reuters/Bloomberg