J&J COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Rapidly Boosted Spike-binding Antibodies

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) announced Wednesday data supporting the use of its COVID-19 vaccine as a booster shot for people previously vaccinated with the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

In anticipation of the potential need for boosters, the company conducted two Phase 1/2a studies in individuals previously vaccinated with its single-shot vaccine.

New interim data from these studies demonstrate that a booster dose of the vaccine generated a rapid and robust increase in spike-binding antibodies, nine-fold higher than 28 days after the primary single-dose vaccination.

The company said significant increases in binding antibody responses were observed in participants between ages 18 and 55, and in those 65 years and older who received a lower booster dose.

The company is engaging with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), European Medicines Agency (EMA) and other health authorities regarding boosting with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

In July, the Company reported interim Phase 1/2a data published in the New England Journal of Medicine that demonstrated neutralizing antibody responses generated by the Johnson & Johnson single-shot COVID-19 vaccine were strong and stable through eight months after immunization.

Oil Futures Slightly Higher Ahead Of EIA Data

Crude oil futures are higher Wednesday morning, extending gains from the previous two sessions, albeit just marginally, as traders await weekly inventory data from Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Worries about outlook for energy demand have eased a bit following the U.S. drug regulator giving its final approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine, and reports saying new cases of the virus are showing signs of dropping in China and a few other countries.

West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for October are up $0.11 or 0.16% at $67.65 a barrel.

Brent crude futures are gaining $0.23 or 0.33% at $70.64 a barrel.

The American Petroleum Institute’s latest crude oil inventory data released on Tuesday showed a draw of 1.622 million barrels for the week ending August 20.

The data also said gaoline stockpiles dropped by about 1 million barrels last week.

EIA’s data is due out at 10:30 AM ET.

Tell us: have you been affected by the shortage of school uniform in the UK?

We would like to hear from parents about their experiences of trying to buy school shoes and uniform

Last modified on Wed 25 Aug 2021 06.06 EDT

Businesses and retailers in the UK have been experiencing a supply chain crisis with stock levels at their lowest since 1983.

With the new school year starting in a few weeks, uniform and shoes for children have become difficult to come by and we would like to hear from parents about how they have been affected by the shortage.

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DICK’S Sporting Goods Q2 Profit Beats Estimates, Increases Guidance; Stock Up

DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (DKS) said it achieved record-breaking quarterly sales and earnings for the second quarter of 2021 significantly exceeding its expectations, reflecting continued strong consumer demand. The company increased its full year sales and earnings outlook.

Second quarter non-GAAP earnings per share was $5.08, compared to $3.21, a year ago. On average, 24 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report profit per share of $2.70, for the quarter. Analysts’ estimates typically exclude special items.

Consolidated net income was $495.5 million, or $4.53 per share, for the second quarter. Net sales were $3.27 billion, up 20.7% from last year. Consolidated same store sales rose 19.2%, for the quarter. Analysts expected revenue of $2.82 billion, for the quarter.

For fiscal 2021, the company now expects non-GAAP earnings per share in a range of $12.45 to $12.95, and net sales in a range of $11.52 billion to $11.72 billion. Consolidated same store sales are anticipated to increase in the range of 18.0% to 20.0%. Analysts expect the company to report profit per share of $9.01 on revenue of $10.90 billion.

DICK’S Sporting Goods plans to open six new DICK’S Sporting Goods stores and eight specialty concept stores in 2021. It expects to relocate 11 DICK’S Sporting Goods stores in 2021. The company also plans to repurchase a minimum of $400 million of common shares in 2021, an increase of $200 million from its prior guidance.

Shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods were up 12% in pre-market trade on Wednesday.

Feds eye new rules to protect right whales from fishing gear

PORTLAND, Maine — Federal ocean regulators are considering new rules to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales from fishing gear.

The whales number only about 360 and are vulnerable to entanglement in the gear. Most of the government’s efforts to protect them has focused on regulating gear used to harvest lobsters and Jonah crabs.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it is working on a new phase of rules that will focus on other fisheries, including those that use gillnets and those that use traps and pots. Lobster and crab gear in the primary threat to the whales, but they are also vulnerable to gear used to harvest fish, conch and other valuable species, said Allison Ferreira, a spokeswoman for the agency.

NOAA said it’s hosting a series of webinars with members of the fisheries in September and October. The agency said the webinars will be used to gather input about the forthcoming rules.

NOAA has also been working on new rules for the lobster and crab fisheries. The agency said those rules are expected to be finalized soon.