A boost for US stocks amid hopes of vaccine breakthrough

THE vaccine trade is well and truly on, giving the bull market a double jolt of life and volatility.

US stocks gained last week and the Dow Jones Industrial Average completed its strongest opening in the post-World War II era after promising news emerged from a Covid-19 vaccine trial.

With more updates due from vaccine developer Moderna; the US coping with a rapidly building winter wave of novel coronavirus infections and deaths; and the possibility of another round of emergency stimulus, the coming week is sure to see major moves too.