Markets have roared higher as vaccination rates rise around the world. The percentage of COVID-related ESG content has declined from the range of ~25% of total volume to the low 20s.
In the final week of March, the COVID-19 Economy Signal was seen in 9.2% of all data, the lowest level since early March 2020. Vaccine distribution and declining case numbers in recent weeks signal light at the end of the tunnel for many economic activities.
The SASB category of Supply Chain Management rose to double digit percentages of total COVID-related data volume for the past three weeks in a row with concerns about vaccine distribution and quality, including the news that millions of doses were improperly produced at a Baltimore, Maryland facility.
The ratio of COVID-related content to non-COVID content has declined from 350% a month ago for the leading industries, indicating a decline in attention to the virus as many try to resume “normal life.” Another sign of this: Media & Entertainment joins the top ranks of industries with the highest proportion of COVID-related content, as movie theatres and attractions do their best to attract consumers.
Vaccine makers COVID-19 volume for the Response Signal remains extremely high. A new name on the list is Quidel Corp, a maker of rapid tests which received Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA for an at-home COVID-19 test.
Continuing with a focus on racial equality, we again highlight key recent Spotlight Events. This week, racial justice-related data shows banks stepping up on diversity and racial justice, with HSBC vowing to double its senior Black staff, and TCF Bank promising $1 billion in loans to minority and women-owned small businesses.
