RegMed Investors’ (RMi) pre-open: after a pop in the sector after Wednesday’s flop, the sector reaches or lingers?

December 11, 2020 8:01am

A mixed bag of possible entries, exits and profit moves

Pre-open indications: 3 BUYs, 4 SELL and then there are the four (4) gene editors rocketing share pricing?

What I provide is a trusted source of share pricing intelligence that ensures that investors are kept apprised of “our” universe, the RegMed/cell and gene therapy sector and its surrounding markets

A pre-open briefing on what you need to know in the session ahead!

Dow futures are DOWN -0.65% (-193 points), S&P futures are DOWN -0.76% (-28 point) and NASDAQ futures are DOWN -0.78% (-96 points)

Stock futures were lower early Friday as the outlook for additional fiscal (stimulus) aid mired in uncertainty;

European markets were down as investors wait for the deadline and question Brexit negotiations;

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed as investors kept an eye on negotiations over additional fiscal stimulus in the U.S.

Henry’omics:

U.S. stock futures were pointing to a fluctuating morning …

Without “fiscal aid”, millions of Americans could lose unemployment benefits in the new year. Meanwhile, weekly jobless claims jumped last week to 853,000, the highest total since Sept. 19, as new lockdown restrictions weighed on businesses amid rising coronavirus cases. <CNBC>

The positive of it all … the FDA advisory panel approved Pfizer (FE) and BioNTech’s (BNTX) coronavirus vaccine for emergency use; the final approval to distribute and dose throughout the U.S. although in phases.

An Update: RegMed/Cell and Gene Therapy Earnings Scorecard Q3/20 LPS Results https://www.regmedinvestors.com/articles/11628     

Thursday’s night’s recap: RegMed Investors’ (RMi) closing bell: “sector rotates to the upside as fundamentals flap in the wind, still advocating “some’ profit-taking” … https://www.regmedinvestors.com/articles/11672

• The Nasdaq closed UP +66.86 points (+0.54%);
• The IBB closed up +1.50% and XBI closed up +3.69%
• Sector volume was LOW with 13 of the 22-upside having higher than the 3-month average volume with the increased volume of 7 of 9-downside having higher than the 3-month average volume;
• The CBOE Volatility Index (VVIX: INDEX) was up +0.25 points or +1.12% at 22.52;
• Thursday’s percentage (%) of the 22-upside were +0.27% (GBT) to +52.98% (SGMO) while the 9-downside ranges from -0.21% (RGNX) to -11.14% (PSTI);

Q4:

• Q4’s December, so far: 1 neutral, 2 negative and 5 positive closes

• Q4’s November: 16 positive and 3 negative closes
• Q4’s October: 1 neutral, 11 positives with 1 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 flat again at $1.35 with 337 shares traded with after Wednesday’s flat with 384 shares traded, Tuesday’s at $1.35 with 761 shares traded, Monday’s -$0.07 to $1.35 with 5,098 shares traded and last Friday’s +$0.07 to $1.42 with 3,514 shares traded.

• Question#1: WHO is working in the 17,00 square feet facility at 84 October Hill Road, Holliston, Ma and related costs and expenses of operating without employees? 
• Question#2: HOW long can their sources of liquidity hang-on with an accumulated deficient of approximately $75 + million dollars without any trial and results?
• Question#3: WHO and WHAT determines the waste of the past and the issues of going forward?

Maintaining BUY:

Bellicum Pharmaceuticals (BLCM) closed up +$0.08 to $2.79 after Wednesday’s -$0.12 to $2.71, Tuesday’s $2.83, Monday’s $2.79 and last Friday’s $3.09 with a POSITIVE +$0.06 or +2.15% pre-market indication;

bluebird bio (BLUE) closed flat at$42.61 after Wednesday’s -$1.79 to $42.61, Tuesday’s -$1.00 to $44.40, Monday’s $45.40 and last Friday’s $46.92 with a POSITIVE +$0.39 or +0.92% aftermarket indication;

Pluristem (PSTI) closed down -$0.78 to $6.22 after Wednesday’s $7.00, Tuesday’s $11.46, Monday’s $11.40 and last Friday’s $10.83 with a POSITIVE +$0.04 or +0.64% aftermarket indication. ENOUGH of the CLI program, focus back to its Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) associated with COVID-19. Pluristem is currently conducting Phase II studies of its PLX-PAD cells to treat hospitalized patients suffering from severe COVID-19 complicated by ARDS in the U.S., Europe and Israel. The Company is also conducting an Expanded Access Program in the U.S. and a per-patient Compassionate Use Program in Israel;

SELL into STRENGTH:

Athersys (ATHX) closed up +$0.06 to $1.97 after Wednesday’s $1.91, Tuesday’s $1.87, Monday’s $1.75 and last Friday’s $1.82 with a NEGATIVE -$0.04 or -2.03% aftermarket indication;

BioLife Solutions (BLFS) closed up +$2.38 to $40.47 after Wednesday’s +$0.86, Tuesday’s -$2.65 and Monday’s +$0.99 with NO aftermarket indication, a 52-week change of +145.90%, a 52-week high of $40.79 and a low of $7.37 and a short percentage (%) of float of 4.02%

Cellectis SA (CLLS) closed up +$2.48 to $30.22 after Wednesday’s -$2.24 to $27.74, Tuesday’s $29.98, Monday’s $30.19 and last Friday’s $29.44 with a POSITIVE +$0.21 or +0.69% aftermarket indication, a 52-week change of +73.59 with a 52-week high of $30.70 and a low of $7.32;

Gene editors: I’d be skimming, trimming and holding a basic position – your call!

CRISPER Therapeutics (CRSP) closed up +$7.63 to $154.26 after Wednesday’s +$0.16, Tuesday’s -$3,25 after Monday’s +$2.18 with a NEGATIVE -$0.36 or -0.23% aftermarket indication, a 52-week change of +122.07%, a 52-wwek high of $163.56 and a low of $32.30 with a short percentage (%) of float of -6.92;

Editas Medicine (EDIT) closed up +$16.26 to $66.84 after Wednesday’s +$7.40, Tuesday’s +$4.13 and Monday’s +$4.56 with a POSITIVE +$1.26 or +1.89% aftermarket indication, a 52-week change of +67.87%, a 52-week high of $67.27 and low of $14.01 with a short percentage (%) of float of -17.75%;

Intellia Therapeutics (NTLA) closed up +$7.15 after $55.86 after Wednesday’s +$1.45 to $48.71, Tuesday’s +$0.67 to $47.26, Monday’s $46.59 and last Friday’s $43.44 with a POSITIVE +$0.84 or +1.50% aftermarket indication, a 52-week change of +189.77%, a 52-week high of $56.36 and a low of $9.18 with a short percentage (%) of float of -27.63%;

Sangamo Therapeutics (SGMO) closed up +$5.42 to $15.65 after Wednesday’s +$0.55, Tuesday’s +$0.40 and Monday’s -$0.71 with a POSITIVE +$0.78 or +4.98% aftermarket indication, a 52-week change of +17.86%, a 52-week high of $15.69 and a low of $4.81 with a short percentage (%) of float of -14.28%;

The BOTTOM LINE: Caution is warranted but indications say otherwise; although some valuations are stretched – some equity values are ready to recover from their downside.

What are we waiting for …? “The overnight action followed back-to-back losses for the S&P 500 as negotiations over a coronavirus relief deal dragged on. Lawmakers seek to pass a bill before lifelines expire at the end of 2020, but disagreements over state and local stimulus, unemployment assistance and stimulus checks still exist.” <CNBC>

As I have been saying, “a storm is coming” and “the sector has been trading water”.

Reiterating, “I am NOT always the naysayer as contrarian thinking that realizes foresight can perceive hidden opportunities and seize them at just the right moment.”

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.