December 28, 2017 7:45am

… As sector trend lines are more exposed to volatility with low volume

 

Step back and watch the trading “flow” to the mid-day, wait for signs of momentum – and then be a follower!

 

Sustainability is about future certainty

 

Pre-open indications 2 BUYs and 3 SELLs

Higher open expected

Dow futures are UP +0.15% (+38 points) and NASDAQ futures are UP +0.31% (+20.25 points)

 

U.S. stock index futures are posting modest gains ahead of Thursday's open, as investors turn their attention to what the next year will bring for markets.

European markets were pointing in different directions amid a light holiday-week of trade seen across markets worldwide.

Asian markets closed mostly higher following a rally in oil and copper prices this week. Trade was thin ahead of the long New Year's weekend.

 

Issues that will affect the trading day: trading remains thin.

Data docket: At 8:30 a.m. ET, jobless claims and advance economic indicators are both due.

Issues on the political front: Trump ends his first year with just 45% of likely US voters thinking he's doing a good job in the Oval Office – be ready for the tweets.

 

 

Henry’omics:

From Wednesday night’s closing bell post, “the holiday hangover is abating as low volume cranks some and leaves a few scrambling for any upside. Investors are still scarred from the sector as no one wants to get caught in another downdraft.”

As I stated, “Trading volume was on pace for the second-lowest of the year, with only Black Friday's half-day of trading posting lower volume.”

Step back and watch the trading “flow” to the mid-day, wait for signs of momentum – and then be a follower!

 

The cell therapy sector’s record over 5 sessions (of 40 covered companies):

The RegMed and cell therapy sector closed POSITIVE on Wednesday and Tuesday, was closed on Monday, NEGATIVE on Friday and POSITIVE last Thursday;

·         Wednesday closed POSITIVE with 17 decliners, 20 advancers and 3 flats;

·         Tuesday closed POSITIVE with 16 decliners, 22 advancers and 2 flats

·         Monday was Christmas Day;

·         Friday closed NEGATIVE with 19 decliners, 18 advancers and 3 flats

·         Last Thursday closed POSITIVE with 18 decliners, 20 advancers and 2 flats;

 

Today’s indications:

  • The iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology (IBB) is NOT indicating in Thursday’s pre-market;
  • The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) is indicating a POSITIVE +0.14% in Thursday’s pre-market;
  • The Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) is NOT indicating in Thursday’s pre-open;
  • The iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) is indicating a POSITIVE +0.08% in Thursday’s pre-open

 

 

Companies in my headlights:

Trader targets (SELLs) in lieu of Wednesday’s upside on low volume:

Fate Therapeutics

Capricor (CAPR) – just waiting for the financing to begin

Stemline (STML) – an upside target

 

I’d be watch for the gift (BUYs) that could keep giving:

Histogenics (HSGX)

MiMedx Group (MDXG)

 

Opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change, and not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results, nor investment advice.

Whether information or intelligence is good, bad or somewhere in between; I put into context what is relevant and useful for investors.  All investments are subject to risks. Investors should consider investment objectives.

Henry McCusker, the editor and publisher of RegMed Investors does not hold or have positions in securities referred to in this publication.