March 9, 2018 8:40am

It’s about posing hard questions and outspoken answers in a sector that does not always inspire confidence

… I care and have been wrong and in most cases was just about being “early” …

 

Remember, being popular is not my goal as to my recommendations and opinions

… Being right is relegating risk to short-term alarms avoiding near and long-term consequences

 

Companies in my headlights: seven (7), 6 SELLs and 1 BUY

 

If you had been subscribing, today’s events would not have been a surprise …

A passive open expected

 

Every day, I “make my bones”; it’s time for you to step-up for continued access to what one industry CEO calls the “bible” for smart investing in the RegMed, gene and cell therapy sector, click the link: http://www.regmedinvestors.com/create-account      

 

Dow futures are UP +0.26% (+64 points) and NASDAQ futures are UP +0.24% (+17 points)

 

U.S. stock index futures are passive ahead of Friday's open, as investors turned their attention to the latest jobs report

European markets mixed ahead of US jobs data

Asian markets closed higher after President Donald Trump accepted an invitation to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

 

Issues to be faced at the open: jobs report

Data docket: jobs report is due out at 8:30 a.m. ET, investors are likely to be poring over the nonfarm payrolls for February, to gain an insight into how the U.S. economy is performing. Investors will be paying close attention to average hourly earnings and the unemployment rate. Aside from this, the market will also be looking to the wholesale trade data, due out at 10 a.m. ET.

 

 

Been where, done what …

RegMed, stem, gene and cell therapy sector’s record over 5 sessions (of 40 covered companies):

  • Thursday closed NEGATIVE with 22 decliners, 17 advancers and 1 flat;
  • Wednesday closed POSITIVE with 9 decliners, 29 advancers and 2 flats;
  • Tuesday closed POSITIVE with 13 decliners, 22 advancers and 5 flats;
  • Monday closed POSITIVE with 12 decliners, 27 advancers and 1 flat:
  • Last Friday closed POSITIVE with 7 decliners, 30 advancers and 3 flats;

 

 

Henry’omics:

From last night’s newsletter, “the trend is not always your friend after four (4) positive sessions, the fifth (5) slipped negative … So much for algorithms setting the guidelines as the sector moves have become “machine” oriented for gainers and decliners and as time series analysis does not incorporate sentiment and opinions.”

The sector craves headline to power share pricing … as the story needs to be told however, how will these “stories” be valued more than a day or just a reminder to sell into its strength.

What we have been seeing is higher pricing followed by declines as the scenario most likely ahead, though with more volatility.

 

 

Today’s indications:

  • The iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology (IBB) is NOT indicating in Friday’s pre-market;
  • The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) is NOT indicating in Friday’s pre-market;
  • The Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) is indicating a NEGATIVE -0.05% downside in Friday’s pre-open;
  • The iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) is indicating a POSITIVE +0.19% upside in Friday’s pre-open

 

 

Companies in my headlights: Eight (8) …

Applied Genetic Technologies (AGTC) overbought, on what basis is the upswing – NO data, enrollment and spending issues  with a CEO that doesn’t see, hear or feel the pain investors are experiencing re it’s share pricing – Maintaining SELL;

bluebird bio (BLUE) – the overloaded “bus” has to stop sometime – Maintaining SELL;

BioLife Solutions (BLFS) had good Q4 and FY17 financial results, the aftermarket indication is a POSITIVE +$0.16 or +2.67% - BUY;

Caladrius Biosciences (CLBS) – one news story doesn’t keep an upside, it’s going to take a lot of spending – Maintaining SELL;

Cellectis SA (CLLS) closed down -$0.10 and has a NEGATIVE pre-market indication of -$0.34 or -1.01% - SELL;

Cytori Therapeutics (CYTX) after Q4 and FY17 financial results continued downward, cash is LOW ($9.6 M) and an aftermarket indication of -$0.02 or -5.63% - Maintaining SELL;

Fate Therapeutics (FATE) – overbought, like the company but … a NEGATIVE aftermarket indication of -$0.33 or -2.57% - Maintaining SELL;

Vericel (VCEL) had a net income of $300 K and +$0.01 in Q4 although the FY17 net loss missed expectation, too Much dependence on an ATM for cash, needs a financing – Maintaining SELL;

 

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.