June 1, 2017 7:46am
… Where is the proof of life ?
Is there a certificate that shows appreciation in “our” universe could still be alive?
… I’m willing to negotiate with the algorithms and ETFs for the release of the sector in a new month
Lower to mixed open expected
Companies in my headlights: six (6), 3 BUYS and 3 SELLS
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Critical information ahead of “our” universe’s open! I provide intelligence and analysis for short and near-term investment.
Expectation is the word for 2017 – meeting the unknowns with the soon to be exposed concerns will be the subject of investing decisions throughout this year.
Dow futures are DOWN -0.01% and NASDAQ futures are UP +0.14%
U.S. stock index futures were expected to open lower to mixed on Thursday morning as traders prepared for a fresh batch of economic data.
European markets moved higher as investors eyed oil prices and continued to monitor politics in the region with U.K. elections just a week away.
Asia markets were mixed following the release of Caixin PMI data from China, which was at an 11-month low, and as the yuan hit a seven-month high.
Data docket: ADP private sector payrolls will be reported at 8:15 a.m. ET Thursday. The report is expected to show 185,000 jobs added in May. Weekly jobless claims and first-quarter productivity and costs are reported at 8:30 a.m. ET.
·Monthly vehicle sales will be reported throughout the morning and are expected to show about a 16.8 million vehicle annualized selling pace.
·Manufacturing activity will be reported in the Manufacturing PMI at 9:45 a.m. and the ISM manufacturing report at 10 a.m. April construction spending is expected at 10 a.m.
·The batch of data is important since Q2 data has been spotty, even though economists still expect a 3% growth rate. The rush of reports on Thursday comes ahead of the most important data this week: the May employment report on Friday.
The cell therapy sector closed NEGATIVE on Wednesday and Tuesday; Monday was a holiday, NEGATIVE on Friday and last Thursday.
The cell therapy sector’s record after the last 5 days (of 43 covered companies):
· Wednesday closed NEGATIVE with 24 decliners, 14 advancers and 5 flats;
· Tuesday closed NEGATIVE with 29 decliners, 10 advancers and 4 flat;
· Monday was Memorial Day and the U.S. markets were closed;
· Friday closed NEGATIVE with 28 decliners, 11 advancers and 4 flats;
· Last Thursday closed NEGATIVE with 24 decliners, 17 advancers and 2 flats;
Remembering Wednesday’s closing bell newsletter, “why is “our” universe always getting dumped? Is there a love connection for stocks or … Is it about temporary hook-ups and let-downs?
Reiterating, what’s a short-term stock relationship these days – until it breaks key support!”
What’s my mantra for today … go forth and buy those oversold, so we can turn them into … the overbought!
- One of the first warnings signals that the sector is shifting will be when volume picks up.
But even the lack of volume has managed to demand a proof of life …
I understand volatility is high but when stocks go down as volume also goes down – is that a sign that the oversold ransom is about to be paid?
What did I see on Wednesday, the DOW closing DOWN -0.10% (-20.82) as the NASDAQ also closed DOWN -0.08% (-4.67) … The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, traded near 10.8 …
…The greatest volume of the day was to the downside: BLUE, BLCM, KITE, BTX, SGMO, XON, ONCE, ONVO and NWBO
… Upside volume was weighted to: MDXG, JUNO, ADRO, RGNX …
Either case does not provide me with any great indication, other than investors are discounting the upcoming ASCO meeting …
... What does bother me is the chart depth of some of the fallen: BLCM VSTM and even CAPR …
... Some of the usual roller-coaster suspects, I usually expect after the music stops: CLLS, AGTC, BCLI and STML …
... And, the free floaters are as usual bobbing: BLFS, VCEL, FCSC, VTGN, and ISCO …
... While the “cousins”: BTX and AST tend to follow each others lead …
You’ve made it to the office, turned on the monitor, having just gotten your coffee and it hits you - what could be today’s trades?
Watch list:
- The iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology (IBB) closed up +0.51% on Wednesday, and indicating a POSITIVE +0.45% in Thursday’s pre-market;
- The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) closed Wednesday up +0.37% and is NOT indicating in Thursday pre-market;
- The Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) closed up +0.40% Wednesday, and is NOT indicating in Thursday’s pre-open;
- The iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) closed down -0.10% on Wednesday, and is indicating a NEGATIVE -0.02% in Thursday’s pre-open
Companies in my headlights – I am not lazy in defining any upside or downside, I just don’t see any input other than momentum.
Bellicum Pharmaceuticals (BLCM) closed down -$0.75 to $10.59 following Tuesday’s $11.34 (-$0.49) after Friday’s $11.83 (-$0.36) after Thursday’s $12.19 (-$0.29). The aftermarket indication is a negative -0.018 or -0.17%. SELL;
Biostage (BSTG) closed up +$0.01 to a wholesome $0.28 <sarcasm>. Finally a release of the terminal death suit/complaint – they have been served. The cost to the company in discovery, hours lost to depositions and future indemnification could be a death knell – Maintaining SELL;
bluebird bio (BLUE) closed down -$2.70 to $75.35 after Tuesday’s $78.70 (-$1.10) after Thursday’s $79.80 (+$0.05) following Wednesday’s $79.75 (-$0.60). The aftermarket indication is a POSITIVE +$0.65 or +0.86% - Maintaining BUY;
Cytori (CYTX) closed up +$0.02 to $1.00. The aftermarket indication is a positive +$0.06 or +6.12% - BUY;
Mesoblast (MESO) closed up +$0.27 to $8.00. The aftermarket indication is a negative -$0.02 or -0.26% - SELL;
Neuralstem (CUR) closed up +$0.21 to $4.46. The aftermarket indication is a positive +$0.18 or +4.04% - BUY
Whether information or intelligence is good, bad or somewhere in between; I put into context what is relevant and useful for investors.
Henry McCusker, the editor and publisher of RegMed Investors does not hold or have positions in securities referred to in this publication.
Henry’s comments are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for personalized advice. Consult your advisor about what is best for you.
