Stocks higher on stimulus news | Investors ignoring trade tensions | Can coronavirus be eradicated?

Stocks rose slightly, boosted by news of a vaccine development deal and another stimulus bill.

VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE WED, JUL 22, 2020 EVENING BRIEF AS OF WED, JUL 22, 2020 • 04:47 ET DJIA 27005.84 +0.62% +165.44 S&P 500 3276.02 +0.57% +18.72 NASDAQ 10706.13 +0.24% +25.76   Most Active DOW NAME LAST CHG %CHG PFE 38.56 +1.87 +5.10% MSFT 211.75 +3.00 +1.44% BA 179.79 +1.16 +0.65% S&P 500 NAME LAST CHG %CHG FE 27.09 -7.16 -20.91% AMD 61.79 +4.79 +8.40% PFE 38.56 +1.87 +5.10% NASDAQ NAME LAST CHG %CHG AMD 61.79 +4.79 +8.40% UAL 31.67 -1.40 -4.23% MSFT 211.75 +3.00 +1.44% EDITOR'S NOTE Stock market investors remain focused on stimulus from the Federal Reserve and Washington, barely reacting to news about spiking coronavirus cases or rising tensions with China.   CNBC's Patti Domm writes that the pandemic is accelerating the decoupling of the world's two largest economies and that investors will soon have to reassess their views.   "We really are at the beginning of this stage, and it has deep implications," said Jimmy Chang, chief investment strategist at Rockefeller Asset Management.    Stocks rose on Wednesday as investors weighed news that lawmakers were considering extending expanded unemployment payments in a new stimulus bill.   Investors also continued hanging their hopes on vaccine development. The U.S. has agreed to pay Pfizer and German-partner BioNTech $1.95 billion to produce 100 million coronavirus vaccine doses if it proves to be safe and effective.    "Typically, it takes roughly a decade for a new vaccine to go through the various stages of development and testing," said Ed Yardeni of Yardeni Research in a note. "However, the urgency of the pandemic ... has resulted in a mobilization of global medical resources rarely seen before in human history."     Subscribe to CNBC PRO for exclusive insights and analysis, and live business day programming from around the world. Al Lewis | CNBC Markets Editor @tellittoal TOP NEWS  Dow rises after Pfizer-BioNTech deal, lawmakers move toward further stimulus As superpowers turn their backs on each other, the risk for markets is rising GOP considers extending unemployment benefit at reduced level of $400 a month through December U.S. agrees to pay Pfizer and BioNTech $2 billion for 100 million doses of coronavirus vaccine Track the latest coronavirus news here Dr. Anthony Fauci warns the coronavirus won't ever be eradicated JAMF shares soar in debut, as IPO gives investors another way to bet on Apple These are the Nasdaq stocks Wall Street thinks can move higher after earnings season Existing home sales surge nearly 21% in June – the highest monthly gain on record Apple releases study defending App Store's 30% cut ahead of Tim Cook's congressional testimony next week     TOP VIDEO Watch CNBC's full interview with billionaire investor Bill Ackman   CNBC PRO Goldman warns of lackluster returns ahead in 'fat and flat' trading range   SPECIAL REPORTS Three market do's (and three market don'ts) for volatile trading Snap shares fall after earnings. What Wall Street is watching now   Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy   © 2020 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS