World News – USA – Virgin Galactic, Alexion, Pluralsight, Pfizer: What To Look For When The Stock Exchange Opens Today

-U. S.. . Stock futures rose on optimism that talks about additional stimulus are moving forward and that the introduction of Covid-19 vaccines could help contain the pandemic.

Futures linked to the S&P 500 rose by 0. 7%, suggesting the index could move higher after the opening bell in New York. Contracts linked to the Nasdaq 100 index gained 0. 5%.

–

Amdocs

DOX 1. 12%

and

Plantronic

PLT 2. 34%

are among the companies presenting at the Cowen Networking Summit.

– Boston-based Alexion Pharmaceuticals rose more than 30% in premarket trading after AstraZeneca agreed to buy the company for $ 39 billion in cash and stock. This would strengthen the UK drug giant’s footprint in rare diseases.

AstraZeneca

AZN -6. 75%

Stocks fell more than 7% in London.

– Shares of Virgin Galactic fell Jan.. 7% in premarket trading after the company stated that its test flight failed to reach space as planned on Saturday.

–

Pfizer

PFE -2. 23%

Stocks rose 0. 9% before the bell. The company’s jointly developed vaccine with BioNTech was shipped from its Michigan manufacturing facility over the weekend.

– Public Storage stocks rose 4. 6% pre-market. The Wall Street Journal reported that Elliott Management built a significant stake in the company and privately appointed six directors to the self-storage giant’s board of directors, according to people familiar with the matter.

–

Plural point of view

PS 5. 93%

Shares rose 6. 3% pre-market. Private equity firm Vista Equity Partners agreed to buy the company in a deal that valued Pluralsight at $ 20. 26 per share up Friday’s closing price of $ 18. 98.

– Several companies that have benefited from stay at home contracts declined in off-hour trading.

Zoom video communication

ZM -2. 75%

fell 1% during

Teladoc health

TDOC -0. 05%

fell 1. 1%.

– The British pound jumped 1. 4% against the U. . S.. . Dollar and 0. 9% against the euro Monday morning to U. . K. . The negotiators of the European Union agreed on Sunday to extend their marathon Brexit talks.

The drug manufacturers have done a remarkable feat: They are rapidly developing vaccines that are designed to contain a global pandemic. The investors were thrilled. The question now arises whether some newcomers can justify these price gains.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Stock, Pfizer, Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, S&P 500 Index