How to trade Moderna shares: a complete guide

Learn all about what Moderna is, its share trading hours, and how to trade Moderna share CFDs with Capital.com

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What is Moderna?

Moderna is an American biotechnology company, pioneering the development of a new class of medicines made of messenger RNA (mRNA), a type of molecule necessary for protein production. The company’s belief was that using mRNA as a drug could significantly improve the process of medicine development and production.

Founded in 2010, Moderna has developed an industry-leading mRNA technology platform, capable of accelerating early development of vaccines and drug formulation.

In early November 2020, Moderna announced its Covid-19 vaccine showed more than 94% effectiveness. The vaccine’s major advantage over that of its rival Pfizer was the ability for the product to be stored at just -20°C,¹ while Pfizer’s vaccine required around -70°C.² You can learn how to trade Pfizer stocks in our dedicated guide.

Moderna went public in December 2018 in the largest biotech IPO in history. The company’s stock is listed and traded under the ticker symbol MRNA. It’s part of an index of 100 highly-capitalised tech companies constituting our US Tech 100 market.

¹ Moderna’s vaccine requires storage at -20°C for long-term storage. However, once thawed, it can be kept in a standard refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C for up to 30 days.

² Pfizer’s vaccine can be stored at standard freezer temperatures (-15°C to -25°C) for up to two weeks as an alternative to the ultra-cold storage solution.

What is Moderna’s share price history?

Moderna’s share price history begins in 2018 when the company transitioned from a private to a public entity by listing on the Nasdaq stock exchange with the ticker symbol MRNA, constituting the largest biotech IPO in history. The company raised $621m by selling 27m shares at $23 each, which resulted in a valuation of $7.5bn.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic significantly impacted the stock market and Moderna's role in developing a vaccine became a central focus, the company’s shares were trading within a range of $18-$28.

However, in 2021, Moderna's involvement in the Covid-19 vaccine development helped its stock price surge, reaching highs surpassing $400, and a peak of $485 in August 2021.

In 2022, Moderna stock experienced a dip, but remained volatile, reflecting broader market trends and adjustments in vaccine demand. The average stock price was around $150, with lows of $117 and highs of $235.

The stock price in the years following remained volatile, with lows of $69 and highs of $197 in 2023, stabilising slightly at the start of 2024 with lows of $85 and highs of $115.*

*Moderna stock price data from Macrotrends. Correct as of 20 March 2024.

_{Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results}

What factors might affect the Moderna share price?

Like any stock, Moderna’s share price can be impacted by key fundamental events that traders can keep an eye on, as these can be significant drivers of its price. Here are some of the most important ones.

• Vaccine developments: updates on vaccine trials, efficacy, and regulatory approvals can significantly influence investor sentiment and the share price.
• Revenue projections: investors closely monitor sales forecasts, particularly for Covid-19 vaccines, as they constitute a substantial portion of Moderna's revenue.
• Competition: news about rival vaccines and advancements in the biotech sector can impact Moderna's market position and share price.
• Production capacity: any changes in manufacturing capabilities, supply-chain issues, or distribution agreements can affect revenue expectations and investor confidence.
• Regulatory landscape: changes in government policies, funding announcements, or regulatory hurdles can impact Moderna's operations and its ability to bring products to market, influencing its share price.

What are Moderna’s stock trading hours?

Moderna’s stock trading hours are Monday to Friday from 2:30pm to 9:00pm (UK time).

If you choose to trade CFDs, you can follow the Moderna stock performance live in US dollars with the comprehensive Moderna share price chart.

Monitoring the company’s activity can help you to keep an eye out for any key fundamental or technical events that may affect short-term movements in the Moderna share value.

How to trade Moderna shares with CFDs

If you want to take a position on Moderna shares, you have two options. First, you can buy physical shares in the company through the exchange on which it’s listed. In this case, investing in Moderna stocks on Nasdaq means you will own a share, or shares, in the company. This can be considered a long-term investment, as you’re hoping for the price to rise over time.

Alternatively, you can trade a derivative product such as a contract for difference (CFD) on the underlying Moderna stock market price, and speculate on its price movements without actually owning the asset. A CFD is a financial contract, typically between a broker and a trader, where one party agrees to pay the other the difference in the value of a security, between the opening and closing of the trade.

Unlike physical share ownership, you can either hold a long position (speculating that the price will rise) or a short position (speculating that the price will fall). This is considered a short-term investment or trade, as CFDs tend to be used within shorter timeframes.

Another key difference between buying physical Moderna shares and trading through a derivative is the leverage that can be employed with the latter. CFDs are typically traded on margin, which means that a trader has exposure to larger positions with a relatively small outlay. This means your profits and losses are amplified, making leveraged trading risky. You can learn how to trade shares in our comprehensive guide to shares trading.

To trade Moderna stock CFDs with us, just sign up for a Capital.com account, and once you’re verified, you can use our advanced web platform or download our intuitive yet easy-to-use app. It’ll take just a few minutes to get started and access the world’s most-traded markets.

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Why trade Moderna CFDs with Capital.com?

Trading CFDs with Capital.com means you’ll enjoy an intuitive, supremely easy-to-use platform, 24/7 support, fair and transparent pricing, along with award-winning education to help build your experience in the markets.* You can seamlessly integrate our smart platform with elite third-party software TradingView and MT4, and refine your strategies with our risk-free demo.

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