Moderna Soars as Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise

Major U.S. equities made little headway in the session preceding the release of Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for March.

With economists anticipating a slight uptick in the annual inflation rate over the previous month, the latest data could influence the Federal Reserve as it determines the path forward on interest rates.

The S&P 500 recovered from losses early in Tuesday’s session to end the day up 0.1%. The Nasdaq gained 0.3%, while the Dow closed with a minimal loss.

Moderna (MRNA) shares soared 6.2%, topping the S&P 500. The biotech firm reported positive data from an early-stage trial of its individualized cancer vaccine in patients with a type of head and neck cancer. Developed in conjunction with Merck (MRK), the vaccine has also shown potential in treating patients with melanoma.

FMC Corp. (FMC) stock jumped 6.0% after KeyCorp analysts raised their price target on shares of the agricultural products firm to $79. FMC has faced a soft demand environment but remains concentrated on enhancing its product portfolio with innovative technologies to protect crops and boost value for farmers.

Shares of Enphase Energy (ENPH) added 5.9%, recovering from losses posted last week when Citigroup analysts downgraded the stock, citing inventory concerns. While the solar technology firm faces demand headwinds, it stands to benefit from a potential uptick in the solar industry.

Hartford Financial Group (HIG) shares tumbled 3.8%, marking the steepest decline on the S&P 500. Although JPMorgan recently lifted its price target on Hartford stock, recent reports show that insiders at the insurance and financial giant have been unloading their shares, raising questions about their confidence in the firm’s trajectory.

Royal Caribbean (RCL) shares sank 3.7% amid a series of negative incidents involving the cruise operator, including a passenger who remains missing after jumping overboard from one of its vessels. Royal Caribbean also announced last week that it reached a settlement that would issue around $1.3 million in refunds to customers of the Capital Jazz SuperCruise that was canceled because of the pandemic.

Shares of power management company Eaton Corp. (ETN) fell 3.7% after Wolfe Research downgraded the stock to “underperform.” The analyst team believes the stock’s high valuation does not match Eaton’s fundamentals, noting the company remains vulnerable to shifts in demand or challenges in the electric vehicle (EV) market.

Arch Capital Group (ACGL) shares dropped 3.5%, retreating from the all-time high posted Friday after the insurer said its North American unit would buy two insurance businesses written by Fireman’s Fund Insurance from German insurer Allianz for $450 million. Expected to close in the second half of 2024, the deal could bolster the firm’s position in the U.S. middle market.