March 29, 2019 8:19am

However, another prime reporting issue in “our” universe is objectivity of analysis

Analyst/writers, Investors and traders are all influenced by beliefs, training and a variety of other factors from their experiences

The ability to think objectively and challenge “some” management’s execution is a crucial factor and based on accessing the evidence on its merits and a process of inference

Pre-open indication: 3 BUYs, 1 SELL and 3 TRADEs

 

My pre-open focus is indication analysis. An indication can be a development of almost any kind. Specifically, it may be a confirmed fact, a possible fact, or an absence of “something”, a fragment of information or even an observation! 

My blend of two styles “quantamental” has become common parlance among investors and traders.

 

Dow futures are UP +0.46% (+119 points), S&P futures are UP +0.42% (+12 points) and NASDAQ futures are UP +0.46% (+34 points)

 

U.S. stock index futures were slightly higher Friday morning, amid renewed optimism on the progress of trade talks between Washington and Beijing;

Europe stocks higher on US-China trade optimism yet, the UK braces for another Brexit vote;

Asian markets closed higher as trade talks resume this week

 

Data docket: personal income and core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index figures for February will be released at around 8:30 a.m. ET.

 

Friday’s indications in the pre-market:

The iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology (IBB) is NOT indicating;

The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) is indicating a POSITIVE +0.75% UPSIDE

The Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) is NOT indicating;

The iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) is indicating a POSITIVE +0.56% UPSIDE;

 

Henry’omics:

Market focus is largely attuned to global trade developments, after U.S. officials said China had made proposals on a range of issues that go further than it has before — including on forced technology transfer.

While sector focus is attuned to share pricing … SUSTAINABILITY!

 

From the title, a writer/analyst ... may have NO choice about what evidence is available in situations re a BUY, SELL or HOLD. In such of cases, many proceed with or from fragments of information to particulars and then to conclusions.

My indication analysis is usually based on balancing anticipation ... mostly based on time and its evolution, information collection, tha review of a company's management ... past execution which comes (normanally to most) to ...  a judgement!

 

From Thursday’s closing bell post, “the sector responds to oversold “siren” calls luring them to the upside. The upside was strong while down weak … with the IBB (+0.61%), NASDAQ (+0.34%) and the A/D <advance/decline> line (30/14) of 45 covered companies reversed Wednesday’s decline (8/35).”

  • Range of the 30 upside was +0.17% (VCEL) to +20.67% (RENE.L) while the 14 downside ranged from -0.05% (OSIR) to -7.57% (VSTM).
  • 2 out of the 30 upside had higher (than the 3 month average) volume
  • 6 out of the 14 downside experienced greater volume (than the 3 month average)
  • In March’s 20 sessions, there were 7 negative and 13 positive closes;
  • In the last five (5) sessions, the IBB has been down -2.17% even after five (5) sessions (Monday’s +1.86% and Tuesday’s +0.14%, Wednesday’s -1.39% and Thursday’s +0.61%)

 

Companies in my headlights – It’s your decision; I provide an idea and context:

bluebird bio (BLUE) closed up +$5.47 to $153.02 and has news of European Medicines Agency panel recommended a conditional Q2 marketing approval for a gene therapy as a genetic blood disorder treatment, setting the stage for the U.S. biotech to win its first regulatory nod; final approval depends on the European Commission, which generally follows recommendations from the Committee on Human Medicinal Products (CHMP). Zynteglo, formerly known as LentiGlobin, was developed to treat a specific group of patients with transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT) – BUY;

Sangamo Therapeutics (SGMO) closed up +$0.23 to $9.32 and is exhibiting a +$0.46 or +4.94% pre-market indication based on news of pre-clinical data demonstrating significant (>80%) reduction of tau expression in the nonhuman primate brain following administration of zinc finger protein transcription factors (ZFP-TFs). Tau pathology is strongly linked to the progression of several neurodegenerative diseases, called tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease. The data, reported in a podium presentation at the 14th International Conference on Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Diseases (ADPD) held in Lisbon, Portugal – BUY;

Biostage (BSTG) closed down -$0.06 to $2.40 after closing flat at $2.46 and put forth its LPS (loss-per-share) “earnings” for Q4 and FY18 (as listed above) – issue is cash position ($1.4 M) and a VERY short “runway” (Q3/19) – Maintaining SELL;

uniQure NV (QURE) closed down again -$0.12 to $58.41 after Wednesday’s -$2.07 to $59.58 and Monday’s -$1.48 to $61.95 and has a positive +$0.03 or +0.05% aftermarket indication. QURE saw last Friday ending at $63.43 and the previous Thursday at $68.41, Wednesday at $65.82 and Tuesday’s $66.46 – Maintaining BUY;

CRISPER Therapeutics (CRSP) closed up +$0.72 to $34.93 after Wednesday’s -$0.62 to $34.21, Tuesday’s +$0.64 and Monday’s -$1.40 to $34.19 and has NO aftermarket indication – TRADE;

Editas medicine (EDIT) closed up +$0.68 to $23.63 after Wednesday’s -$0.24 to $22.95, Tuesday’s +$0.39 and Monday’s +$0.19 to $22.80 with a positive +$0.02 or +0.08% aftermarket indication. Last Thursday at $24.74, Wednesday at $24.12 and last Tuesday at $23.11 – TRADE;

Intellia Therapeutics (NTLA) closed up +$0.33 to $16.59 after Wednesday’s -$0.51 to $16.26, Tuesday’s +$0.50 following Monday’s +$0.11 to $16.27 with a positive +$0.16 or +0.96% aftermarket indication. Friday closed at $16.16, Thursday at $17.62, Wednesday at $16.96 and last Tuesday at $16.86 – TRADE;

 

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.