April 5, 2021 7:58am
Volume, momentum and sentiment had driven Q1’s unpredictable moves
Pre-open indications: 2 BUYs, 4 SELLs and 1 Maintain SELL: Mentions: BSTG, CLLS, CRSP, ATHX, EDIT, QURE
News: Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS) initiated a P3 clinical trial of ION363 in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with mutations in the fused in sarcoma gene (FUS). Patients with a mutation in the FUS gene develop a rare form of ALS, referred to as FUS-ALS, which is the most common cause of juvenile-onset ALS. uniQure N.V. (QURE) completed patient enrollment in the first dose cohort of a randomized, double-blinded, P1/2 clinical trial of AMT-130 for the treatment of early-stage Huntington’s disease.
If you’re looking for sector intel, ideas and opinions or Insight in a volatile climate, RMi defines the mitigating factors of share pricing!
RMi’s daily report is a primer that may say little or a lot; yet it serves as insurance that all indications are being examined and evaluated.
Dow futures are UP +0.68% (+226 points), S&P futures are UP +0.57% (+23 points) and NASDAQ futures are UP +0.45% (+60 points)
Stock futures were higher early Monday as investors reacted to a strong bounce in U.S. job growth last month amid accelerating vaccine rollout,
European indexes were down (4 of 5) amid a raft of data releases from the region,
Australia, mainland China and Hong Kong markets were closed on Monday for holidays while japan and South Korea were open and higher.
Data Docket: although market was closed, “the Labor Department reported Friday that nonfarm payrolls increased by 916,000 in March, the highest since August 2020, while the unemployment rate fell to 6%. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones were expecting an increase of 675,000 and a jobless rate of 6%.”
Henry’omics:
My problem with today is that surge rhymes with purge,
President Biden introduced his multitrillion-dollar infrastructure proposal; however, the plan faces opposition among Republicans as the $2 trillion plan includes initiatives that they say extend beyond traditional infrastructure issues.
Political warfare is about to begin …
Thursday’s evening’s recap: “Q2’s much anticipated word, expectation” … https://www.regmedinvestors.com/articles/11844
- The Nasdaq closed UP +233.24 points (+1.76%);
- The IBB closed UP +0.64% and XBI closed up +1.02%;
- Sector volume was LOW with 5 of the 19-upside having higher than the 3-month average volume with the volume of 3 of 13-downside having higher than the 3-month average volume;
- The CBOE Volatility Index (VVIX: INDEX) was down -2.07 points or -10.67% at 17.33;
- Thursday’s percentage (%) of the 19-upside were +0.20% (IONS) to +7.22% (ATHX) while the 13-downside ranges from -0.24% (NTLA) to -4.23% (VCEL);
April and Q2: 1 positive close
March: 10 positive, 12 negative and 1 neutral closes
February: 9 positive, 10 negative closes and 1 holiday
January: 10 positive, 9 negative closes and 1 holiday
Companies in my headlights – It’s your decision; I provide an idea and context:
The Biostage (BSTG) Chronicles: Maintaining Sell, questions continue
Biostage (BSTG) closed flat at 1.34 with 26 shares traded after Wednesday’s -$0.035 to $1.34 with 295 shares traded, Tuesday’s -$0.125 to $1.375 with 758 shares traded and last Monday’s flat at $1.50 with 25 shares traded.
Question#1: SEC form NT 10-K filed, Biostage (BSTG) “could not complete the filing of its Form 10-K for the period ended 12/31/2020 due to disruptions in staffing… delaying their ability to obtain and compile the information required to be included in the Form 10-K, which delay could not be eliminated … without unreasonable effort and expense.
Question#2: WHY, on 1/29/21, did Danforth Advisors terminate (8-K, filed 2/4/21) its (accounting and financial officer) consulting agreement and months later – STILL … NO qualified candidates?
Question#3: WHY does the BOD and its newest member, Herman Sanchez support the current management team? Shouldn’t these BOD members be considered liable for these issues of noncompliance?
Question#4: Are there MORE issues related to accrued liabilities NOT being recorded and WHAT about the previously awarded PPP loan coming (repayment) due?
Question#5: is there more to this “story line” of multiple 8-K flings (let’s not forget, 8-K filed 2/19/21 reducing CSO’s William Fodor’s salary by half)? Also, is RSM US LLP still the auditor, notice there was NO statement in the SEC filing?
MINORITY PUBLIC shareholders are waiting, watching and weighing responses to MAINTAIN their RIGHTS.
BUY:
Cellectis SA (CLLS) closed down -$0.47 to $19.74 with a positive (Thursday) +$0.46 or +1.19% aftermarket indication.
CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP) closed down -$2.44 to $119.41 with a positive +$2.59 or +2.177% pre-market indication.
SELL into Strength:
Athersys (ATHX) closed up +$0.13 to $1.93, with a positive +$0.06 or +3.11% pre-market indication; ATHX share pricing comes, goes and can’t be “trusted” in any spiral.
Editas Medicine (EDIT) closed up +$0.93 to $42.83 with a positive +$2.05 or +4.79% pre-market (Thursday) indication.
Intellia Therapeutics (NTLA) closed down -$0.19 to $80.06 with a positive +$0.07 or +0.09% pre-market (Thursday) aftermarket indication.
uniQure NV (QURE) closed up +$0.42 to $34.11 with a positive +$0.89 or +2.61% aftermarket (Thursday) indication.
The BOTTOM LINE: NO change, “It is hard to keep up with a volatile sector, which makes it not a good time to buy; however, it’s hard to overlook the few oversold, a couple of “falling knives” and always the SELLs into strength”
Investing in cell and gene therapy equities is risky business; appreciation hinges mostly on two criteria; promising data from clinical trials or ultimately, regulatory approval.
The past couple months have been marked by choppy trading, especially heading into some of the final sessions of Q1.
I’m STILL a “beware or the cautious man” whose focus has always been “warning analysis” … earnings’ season is NOT over … my advice, trim and skim any new highs if one can!”
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.
