Indication intelligence, analysis and sector perception

RegMed Investors’ (RMi) pre-open: who won the war-of-words debate – markets, stimulus or potential evidence of the V.P.’s son’s business dealings

October 23, 2020 8:01am

The election and future of the country is at stake before and on November 3^rd

Pre-open indications: 3 BUYs and 4 SELLs

What I provide is an “intelligence daily” to ensure that shareholders are kept apprised based on a 24-hour surveillance of “our” universe, the RegMed/cell and gene therapy sector and its surrounding markets

Subscription is coming, it’s not conscription but, an offer to join our collective of like-minded investors! My gift to you, I've kept RMi subscription FREE during these COVID-19 and volatile times

Dow futures are UP +0.34% (+96 points), S&P futures are UP +0.30% (+11 points) and NASDAQ futures are UP +0.17% (+20 points)

U.S. stock futures were fluctuating higher weighed-down by the contention around additional fiscal stimulus, an initial approval for a coronavirus treatment and earnings’ releases after viewing the debate and the newest issues surrounding uncertainty of candidates;

European markets advanced as investors monitored signs of progress toward a U.S. stimulus deal and the continuing resurgence of the coronavirus while they should be focused on striking a post-Brexit deal in time for parliaments to ratify it before Dec. 31;

Asia-Pacific markets were mixed in Friday trading as Mainland China led losses, japan rose, Australia slipped with MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan above the flatline;

Data docket: market manufacturing PMI (flash), Markit services PMI (flash)

Retail sales in the U.K. grew for fifth straight month in September and at a quicker pace than that of August, data from the Office for National Statistics showed Friday. Sales volumes increased by 1.5% in September compared with the previous month, taking the overall level of sales 5.5% above February's pre-pandemic levels.

Henry’omics:

Stocks will be caught in directional winds as former V.P. Biden has a lot of explaining to do re his son’s business dealings and the resulting evidentiary fall-out …

A shout-out to Gilead Sciences (GILD) gained 7.1% after the FDA approved the remdesivir, for use as a treatment against the coronavirus.

It’s NOT all good or possible news on stimulus talks, Speaker Pelosi “tempered expectation” over Democrats and Republicans reaching a deal before the election, saying it could take “a while” for a bill to be written and signed.

Thursday night’s post: RegMed Investors’ (RMi) closing bell: “sector rises after being oversold; let’s be mindful of forced narrative risks and algorithmic profit “rules”. https://www.regmedinvestors.com/articles/11601

The Nasdaq closed UP +21.31 points (+0.09%)
The IBB closed up +1.46% and XBI closed up +2.71%
Sector volume was the usual LOW with 5 of the 26-upside having higher than the 3-month average volume with the increased volume of 2 of 7-downside having higher than the 3-month average volume;
The CBOE Volatility Index (VVIX: INDEX) was down -0.57 points or -1.99% at 28.08;
Thursday’s percentage (%) of the 26-upside were +0.09% (MESO) to +7.31% (FATE) while the 7-downside ranges from -0.47% (MDXG) to -2.56% (CRSP);

Q4’s October, so far: 1 neutral, 8 positive and 7 negative closes

Q3: July through September: 1 neutral, 28 positive and 34 negative closes with 2 holidays

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

Maintaining Sell:

Biostage (BSTG) closed up +$0.07 to $1.43 with 1,035 after Wednesday’s flat at $1.36 with 42 shares traded after Tuesday’s -$0.14 to $1.36 with 5,354 shares traded after Monday’s flat at $1.50.

Question#1: WHO could believe the half-truths, nonsense and misrepresentation of the currents senior corporate staff members (who remain) in the company?
Question#2: Yet again, WHEN will the clinical trials begin after all the monies spent ($65-70 million) spent in a publicly listed company which executed multiple offerings to U.S. investors <IND approved in March>?

Maintaining SELL to Strength:

Fate Therapeutics (FATE) closed up +$3.25 to $47.71 after Wednesday’s -$3.73 to $44.46, Tuesday’s +$0.67 to $48.19, Monday’s -$1.12 to $47.52 last Friday’s +$0.54 to $48.64 with a POSITIVE +$1.28 or +2.68% aftermarket indication. However, a 52-week change of +207.89%, a short percentage (%) of float of -22.35% and a VERY “peaky” chart;

Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI) closed up +$0.68 to $10.19 after Wednesday’s $9.51, Tuesday’s $10.15 Monday’s $12.37 and last Friday’s $13.86 with a POSITIVE +$0.10 or +1.03% aftermarket indication. BCLI has a new $45 million ATM (debt vehicle) and a 52-week change of +150.92% - trim the position;

uniQure NV (QURE) closed up +$1.76 to $41.26 after Wednesday’s $39.50, Tuesday’s $38.07, Monday’s $37.54 and last Friday’s $35.76 with a POSITIVE +$0.69 or +1.67% aftermarket indication;

Short-Term BUY:

AxoGen (AXGN) closed up +$0.26 to $13.35After Wednesday’s $13.09, Tuesday’s $13.50 and Monday’s $13.51 following the previous Friday’s $13.80 also with a POSITIVE +$0.21 or +1.57% aftermarket indication;

Maintaining BUY:

CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP) closed down again -$2.06 to $90.16 after Wednesday’s -$14.48 to $92.22, Tuesday’s $106.70 and Monday’s $107.72 following last Friday’s $ 109.83 with a POSITIVE +$0.28 or +0.31% aftermarket indication;

Mesoblast (MESO) closed up +$0.01 to $11.25 after Wednesday’s -$0.63 to $11.24, Tuesday’s $11.87, Monday’s $11.25 and last Friday’s $10.90 with a POSITIVE +$0.10 or +0.89% aftermarket indication;

The BOTTOM LINE: The fate of coronavirus relief may in part be tied to reports on the health of the U.S. labor market. The prospect of another stimulus package before Election Day is uncertain, even as the White House and Democratic leaders kept talking Wednesday.

NO opinion change … I am STILL of the opinion that dark clouds are forming over the market!

I also continue to say: maintain a presence in the sector, SELL the highs and be prepared for a tough Q3 reporting season re LPS (loss-per-share).

I say again, “the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, vaccines are on there way but, the wreck upon the economy is being under-estimated as political parties “war” over their own contributions to polarization!

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.

35 companies, 1 interpreter!

Insight, foresight and recommendation

My motto … never leave an investor uninformed! I say today what others won’t, so you can do what others can’t.

My name is Henry McCusker; I endorse these opinions under my own name and with a subscription based membership.

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Editor and Publisher ... Henry McCusker enters his tenth (10th) year at RegMed Investors with past experience in sell-side analysis, buy-side management, corporate management and due diligence.

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The facts stated and the opinions given in this publication are based on data and information considered to be reliable and have been carefully worked into my qualitative analyses and prognoses. However, no guarantee can be given as to their fairness, accuracy or completeness.

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