Sizing Up The Coming COVID-19 Vaccines

Plus: Tech Stocks’ Record Drop You are receiving this limited-time email resource as a subscriber to Kiplinger's free e-newsletters. To unsubscribe at any time, simply click the link in the footer below. SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 [View in browser]( HOW TO PROTECT AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND INVESTMENTS NOW The COVID-19 vaccines in the works at Moderna ([MRNA]( Pfizer ([PFE]( and AstraZeneca ([AZN]( are all into their large Phase 3 trials, the last step in testing whether a vaccine is both effective and safe. All are still on track to report results by the end of the year, though AstraZeneca just announced that it is halting its trial in the United Kingdom after a participant got sick. Johnson and Johnson ([JNJ]( will start a Phase 3 trial sometime this month with 60,000 participants, double the size of other Phase 3 trials. Sanofi ([SNY]( and GlaxoSmithKline’s ([GSK]( vaccine is currently in its Phase 1/2 trial, which will be completed in December, when its Phase 3 will start. The Sanofi/GSK vaccine is thus a number of months behind its competitors and may appear to be irrelevant. However, it could be a useful backup plan, since it uses a vaccine approach that has already been proven, whereas the more advanced candidates all use experimental approaches. Sanofi/GSK also has an advantage, along with the AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccines, of only requiring normal refrigeration, like flu vaccines do. The Pfizer vaccine must be stored at a temperature of no more than -76 degrees Fahrenheit, colder than the South Pole. This requires special deep freezers, which may be in short supply when the time comes for vaccine distribution. Moderna’s vaccine will also need to be kept below -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Companies are gearing up low-temperature transport capability. McKesson ([MCK]( and Cryoport ([CYRX]( specialize in transporting pharmaceuticals that require very low temperatures. The United Parcel Service is setting up freezer mass storage units in Louisville, Ky. SEE ALSO: [What Corporate Profits Really Tell You]( Tech stocks’ recent correction was lightning-quick: According to Dow Jones market data, the S&P 500 information technology sector -- which is heavily weighted in stocks such as Apple ([AAPL]( Microsoft ([MSFT]( and Amazon.com ([AMZN]( -- fell into correction territory (a decline of 10% or more from a peak) in just three days, the fastest such decline since January 2000. For comparison’s sake, the prior corrections in tech have taken at least 18 days, with a couple of those corrections spanning 56-57 days. Broadly speaking, declines like these often result in quick bounce-backs, though in some cases that’s just a brief reprieve before the selling resumes. Indeed, Dan Wantrobski, technical strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott, says: “The continuation of last week's selloff into the new week has pushed U.S. equities into oversold territory on a short-term basis. We are thus looking for a bounce/rally ahead, however we do not believe this correction cycle is necessarily over yet.” In other words: Don’t let down your guard. Free download, [The Kiplinger Letter's Forecast](. No information required from you. SPONSORED CONTENT FROM FIONA [Try This Search Engine for Credit Cards — Without Any Impact To Your Credit Score]( Looking for a new credit card should be easy—that's where Fiona comes in. Fiona is a credit card search engine, and the fast, easy, and comprehensive way to get matched with personalized credit card offers in one place—with no impact to your credit score. In less than 60 seconds, you can search, compare, and get matched with the credit card offers that work best for your needs. Try Fiona and see what's available to you today! [READ MORE]( LATEST INVESTING NEWS FROM KIPLINGER.COM [18 Things You Should Know Before Shopping at Trader Joe's]( [The Pros' Picks: 9 Stocks to Sell Now]( [How to Find the Right Life Insurance Policy for You]( [The Most Expensive Natural Disasters in U.S. History]( [How to Save on a Used Car]( [Kiplinger] [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [LinkedIn]( Send this to a friend. [Click here.]( All content ©2020 The Kiplinger Washington Editors 1100 13th Street, NW, Suite 1000 Washington, D.C. 20005 Thank you for subscribing to Kiplinger's A Step Ahead, a free resource to help readers navigate the economic recovery from COVID-19. If you ever wish to stop receiving this service, please [click here to unsubscribe](.