The Facts
Pharmaceutical giant Moderna has posted higher-than-expected revenue and lower losses as the company improves its outlook for COVID vaccine sales for 2023.
Shares saw an initial uptick Thursday before settling up around 1% as Moderna expects vaccine sales to be between $6B-$8B, up from their prior forecast of $5B. The demand for COVID shots in the US alone is expected to be between 50M and 100M doses for the fall.
The Spin
Narrative A
COVID is still a very real threat, with the market moves showing that Moderna is preparing for a COVID onslaught this fall, and we should heed the wisdom of the market. Moderna and Pfizer are preparing for such with targeted boosters that will help minimize the impact this time around.
Narrative B
Moderna has left governments around the world holding the bag, as the company has hidden data that showed that boosters weren't anymore effective than the original shots. Governments have spent billions on misleadingly advertised boosters, with the company now touting their new shot in a bid to boost flagging revenues.
