Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) and BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX) have again posted encouraging updates regarding their coronavirus vaccine candidate, BNT162b2. The duo’s two-shot vaccine has been given the conditional marketing authorization (CMA) by the European Commission. BNT162b2 is also the first coronavirus vaccine to receive approval in Europe. Notably, Pfizer/BioNTech will immediately initiate delivery of the first vaccine doses across Europe.
Going on, BNT162b2 will be made available for people 16 years of age and above, and will be marketed by the trade name of Comirnaty in 27 EU member states. The companies had filed the CMA in the beginning of this month. Pfizer/BioNTech received the approval on the same day the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency issued a positive opinion recommending CMA of the vaccine, per the sources.
It is worth noting here that the companies have signed an agreement to supply 200 million vaccine doses to EU member states in 2020/2021, with the EU having the option to purchase an additional 100 million doses in 2021. Notably, the vaccine doses will be manufactured at BioNTech's production units in Germany and at a Pfizer site in Belgium.
Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine is now approved for emergency/temporary use in more than 40 countries, including United Kingdom, Bahrain, Mexico, Singapore, Switzerland and Canada.
Notably, Pfizer, which was granted emergency use authorization EUA by the FDA on Dec 11, is close to finalizing a deal to supply 100 million more doses of BNT162b2 to the U.S. government, per a BloombergQuint article.
Meanwhile, amid this ongoing health crisis, the discovery of a new COVID-19 strain has taken a toll on investor optimism about the introduction of coronavirus vaccines and another round of fiscal stimulus. This new variant, first discovered in England, has resulted in several nations imposing restrictions on travel from the U.K. However, a CNN report states that Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) are testing their coronavirus vaccines for efficacy against the new mutated version of the virus that's been discovered in the U.K. and other countries (per the company statements).
ETFs to Shine Bright
Pfizer and BioNTech’s progress with respect to a coronavirus vaccine has happened at a time when the total number of coronavirus cases has crossed the grim mark of 78 million globally. Notably, the world’s largest economy has seen more than 18 million cases alone. The worsening coronavirus crisis has increased desperation among investors over the introduction of a vaccine or a treatment. In such a scenario, Pfizer’s progress in coronavirus vaccine is going to raise investors’ optimism.
Thus, let’s take a look at ETFs with high exposure to Pfizer that can gain from the recent development:
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF FTXH
This fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield, before fees and expenses, of the Nasdaq US Smart Pharmaceuticals Index and holds 27 stocks in its basket, with Pfizer making up for an 7.51% share. The product has AUM of about $23.2 million. The fund charges 60 bps in fees and expenses. It has a Zacks ETF Rank #3 (Hold) (read: What Lies Ahead for Pfizer ETFs After Another Round of Upbeat Vaccine Data).
First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders ETF FDL
This ETF replicates as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield of the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index and holds 96 stocks in its basket. Pfizer holds a 6.71% weight in the fund. The product has amassed $1.42 billion in its asset base. Expense ratio is 0.45%. The fund has a Zacks ETF Rank #3, with a Medium-risk outlook (read: ETFs in Focus as IBM (NYSE:IBM) Posts Another Quarter of Revenue Decline).
iShares Core High Dividend ETF HDV
This ETF provides exposure to 75 established, high-quality U.S. companies by tracking the Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index. Pfizer accounts for 4.82% of the total assets. The product has $5.86 billion in AUM and charges 8 bps in fees and expense. It has a Zacks ETF Rank #3, with a Medium-risk outlook (read: Pandemic Surges, Stimulus Fades: ETF Strategies to Follow).
WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund DHS
This fund seeks to track the investment results of high-dividend-yielding companies in the U.S. equity market. With AUM of $771.4 million, it charges 38 bps in fees a year. In total, the product holds 322 securities, with Pfizer making up for a 4.77% share. The product has a Zacks ETF Rank #3, with a Medium-risk outlook.
iShares Evolved U.S. Innovative Healthcare ETF IEIH
This fund employs data science techniques to identify companies with exposure to the innovative healthcare sector and holds 253 stocks in its basket, with Pfizer making up for a 5.88% share. The product has AUM of about $29.6 million. The fund charges 18 bps in fees and expenses.
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WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend ETF (DHS): ETF Research Reports
First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders ETF (FDL): ETF Research Reports
iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV): ETF Research Reports
First Trust NASDAQ Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH): ETF Research Reports
iShares Evolved U.S. Innovative Healthcare ETF (IEIH): ETF Research Reports
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