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CFDs are complex instruments. 72% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. You can lose your money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you understand how this product works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money.

Will AstraZeneca shares provide shot in the arm for FTSE 100 futures?

FTSE 100 futures made early gains on January 4 as the AstraZeneca share price spiked following the first dose of its COVID-19 vaccine being administered.

Will AstraZeneca shares provide shot in the arm for FTSE 100 futures? Source: Bloomberg
  • FTSE 100 futures up as Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is deployed.
  • AstraZeneca share price gains more than 1.3% during early trading.
  • AstraZeneca shares peaked on Dec 30, then dropped by 4% on Dec 31, so analysts remain acutely alert.
  • NHS ready to vaccinate 2 million per week.
  • Want to trade FTSE 100 futures or AstraZeneca shares? Open an account to get started.

FTSE 100 futures opened at 6,460p on January 4 before gaining 3% thanks, in part, to an early surge for the AstraZeneca share price. As Brian Pinker received the first shot of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, markets across the UK reacted positively.

The joint project between Oxford University and AstraZeneca has been hailed as another important step in the fight against COVID-19. The UK has secured 100 million doses, meaning 50 million people will receive two shots in the coming months. 500,000 doses are set to be deployed this week, and Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England Medical Director, told the BBC that this can rise to 2 million per week in the coming month.

FTSE 100 futures start 2020 on a high

The FTSE 100 reacted positively to the news. The market closed at 6,412p on December 31 and quickly gained momentum on January 4. Within an hour of trading, FTSE 100 futures were up to 6,597p.

FTSE 100 futures have since moved above 6,620p on sell orders and 6,622p on buy orders. The roll-out of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has also strengthened GBP. Daily FX charts show GBP/USD achieved a 0.1% increase from 1.3678 to 1.3695 (12.01am to 10.50am) on January 4.  

AstraZeneca shares have not only mirrored the FTSE 100 upswing but, in part, fuelled it. The pharmaceutical company opened 7,425p on Monday before climbing to 7,456p within an hour. By 11:00am, the AstraZeneca share price had exceeded 7,528p. The increase comes as the British government confirmed that it would, where necessary, combine the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine with the one made by Pfizer.

AstraZeneca shares spike for a second time

Patients could be given one dose from Pfizer and one from AstraZeneca over a 12-week period. Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Jonathan Van-Tam, said the move is the 'right thing to do' for the 'nation as a whole'. This decision means the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will take on a much greater significance in the UK’s coronavirus strategy.

This, in turn, has impacted the AstraZeneca share price in a similar way to what we saw in late December. Following a December 30 announcement that AstraZeneca’s vaccine had been approved in the UK, shares spiked. From a closing price of 7,479p the previous day, AstraZeneca shares peaked at 7,570p on December 30. That contrasts with a one-month low of 7,223p on December 24.

Analysts remain alert after AstraZeneca share price drops

Analysts will now assess the AstraZeneca share price over the coming days. The December 30 peak was followed by a drop of almost 4% a day later. Therefore, price watchers will be waiting to see if AstraZeneca shares follow a similar pattern this week.

How to trade AstraZeneca: long or short

What are your thoughts on the stock at current price levels: are you bullish or bearish? Whatever your view, you can use CFDs to trade indices, currencies and equities – both LONG or SHORT – with IG’s easy to use trading platform now.

For example, to buy (long) or sell (short) the AstraZeneca using CFDs, follow these easy steps:

  • Create an IG Trading Account or log in to your existing account
  • Enter ‘AstraZeneca’ in the search bar and select it
  • Choose your position size
  • Click on ‘buy’ or ‘sell’ in the deal ticket
  • Confirm the trade

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.

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