December 2, 2021 5:15pm
On the verge of the best session in a while
The Biostage (BSTG) Chronicles: Thursday closed up +$0.07 with 3,527 shares traded; the “pump and promote” is back, one would think that the new “interim” CEO would put a hold on such activities.
Pre-open indication results: 8 HITs, 3 MISS
Who else is tracking a broad representative of cell and gene therapy equities – with facts supported by real numbers?
If I have learned one thing as a former research analyst, venture and public markets investor to a journalist; it is that your life and your bank account are largely tied to your questioning of price targets.
The Dow closed UP +617.75 points (+1.82%); the S&P closed UP +64.06 points (+1.42%) while the Nasdaq closed UP +127.27 points (+0.83%)
Henry’omics:
Indexes rebounded sharply on Thursday, following an omicron-driven sell-off in the previous session, as the stem, cell and gene therapy sector streamed back to a positive close – the opposite of Wednesday.
Positive sentiment was enhanced after the House reached a deal on a temporary government funding bill to avoid a federal shutdown.
The Nasdaq gained 1% with the small-cap benchmark Russell 2000 adding 2.7%.
Semantics, I don’t feel the term “rally is to describe the sector’s move; it was an oversold response – just another rebound!
The CBOE volatility index, the VIX fear gauge, was lower at 27.95 after its Wednesday’s high of 31.12 following Tuesday’s 27.19 and Monday’s 22.96.
Economic Data Docket: Weekly jobless claims rose after setting a more than five-decade low last week
- Initial unemployment claims, week ended November 27: 222,000 vs. 240,000 expected and a revised 194,000 during prior week
- Continuing claims, week ended November 20: 1.956 million vs. 2.003 million expected and 2.049 million during prior week
RegMed/Stem/Cell and Gene therapy’s 35 covered equities’ Advance/Decline (A/D) lines: what’s happening …
- Thursday opened positive at 25 ups/6 downs, 3 flats and 1 acquired, stayed positive at the mid-day at 22/12, 2 flats and 1 acquired, ending with a positive close of 26 ups/8 downs and 1 acquired;
RegMed Investors’ (RMi) pre-open: “bounce-back. An accordion sector with unpredictable music played” … https://www.regmedinvestors.com/articles/12207
Pre-open indication results: 8 HITs: < CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP +$1.57), Intellia Therapeutics (NTLA +$3.03), Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS +$0.54), Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT +$1.78), Sangamo Therapeutics (SGMO +$0.44), Verastem (VSTM +$0.05), uniQure NV (QURE +$1.01), Cellectis SA (CLLS -$0.19)> and 3 MISS <Biostage (BSTG +$0.07), Editas Medicine (EDIT -$0.38), Fate Therapeutics (FATE +$0.47)>
The Biostage (BSTG) Chronicles: Thursday closed up +$0.07 with 3,527 shares traded after Wednesday closed up +$0.95 with 2,590 shares traded after Tuesday closed down again -$0.02 with 2,143 shares traded after Monday closed down -$0.40 to $2.00 with 6,025 shares traded.
- New CEO and chairman with a personal investment.
- My view, “the grifters are still running the company”
- NO clinical trial from a one (1) and 3/4-year-old IND and a negligence rejection of reimbursement in a terminal death suit.
- What’s there to invest in, the “Sword of Damocles” terminal death suit insurance claim rejection hanging over the companies non-going operations?
Key Metric - volume
Sector volume INCREASED with 9 of the 26-upside having higher than the 3-month average volume with INCREASED volume of 5 of 8-downside having higher than the 3-month average volume;
The 52-week losers:
- Homology Medicine (FIXX) reached a 52-week low of $4.69
- Sage Therapeutics (CRSP) reached a 52-week low of $36.66
- Editas Medicine (EDIT) reached a 52-week low of $29.06
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS) reached a 52-week low of $25.03
- Pluristem Therapeutics (PSTI) reached a 52-week low of $2.41
- CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP) reached a 52-week low of $74.32
- Mesoblast (MESO) reached a 52-week low of $5.46
- Applied Genetic Technologies (AGTC) reached a 52-week low of $1.97
Jumping with share pricing momentum (10 of 26):
- Intellia Therapeutics (NTLA +$3.03 after Wednesday’s -$8.09, Tuesday’s +$3.28 and Monday’s -$1.40),
- Ultragenyx (RARE +$2.96 after Wednesday’s +$0.93, Tuesday’s +$1.52 and Monday’s -$2.78),
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY +$2.92 after Wednesday’s -$3.87, Tuesday’s +$3.06 and Monday’s -$7.79),
- Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT +$1.78 after Wednesday’s -$1.13),
- CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP +$1.57),
- Regenxbio (RGNX +$1.34 after Wednesday’s -$1.70, Tuesday’s +$1.81 and Monday’s -$0.77),
- Sage Therapeutics (SAGE +$1.22, Wednesday’s -$1.76, Tuesday’s +$0.38 and Monday’s -$0.79)
- uniQure NV (QURE +$1.01 after Wednesday’s -$1.43 and Tuesday’s -$0.67),
- AxoGen (AXGN +$0.68),
- bluebird bio (BLUE +$0.58),
Hammered in today’s market (8 of 8):
- ReNeuron (RENE.L -$1.50),
- BioLife Solutions (BLFS -$1.38),
- Editas Medicine (EDIT -$0.38),
- Mesoblast ($0.30),
- Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI -$0.24),
- Cellectis SA (CLLS -$0.19 after Wednesday’s +$0.18),
- Pluristem (PSTI -$0.10),
- Applied Genetic Technology (AGTC -$0.02),
Closing Flat:
- 1 - Stemline Therapeutics (STML) – acquired
Stats:
The iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology (IBB) and the SPDR S&P ETF (XBI) indicators:
- Thursday, the IBB closed up +0.33% and XBI closed up +2.18%
The CBOE Volatility Index (VVIX: INDEX) tracked:
- Thursday was down -3.17 points or down -10.19% at 27.95
December, the second month of Q4/21:
Thursday closed positive with 26 incliners, 8 decliners and 1 acquired
Wednesday (12/1) closed negative with 4 incliners, 29 decliners, 1 flat and 1 acquired
The BOTTOM LINE: As I stated, “I don’t feel the term “rally is to describe the sector’s move; it was an oversold response – just another rebound!”
Another way to expound, the sector recovered ground lost over recent past sessions as the algorithms instructed and re-ruled there were bargains … ignoring the implications of a shifting pandemic – it’s not programmed-in.
However, it could be a wee-bit of that we are about to enter into TAX SELLING for year’s end!
In any case, I wouldn’t ramp exposure at the current levels.
There's also nothing wrong with standing pat after reducing exposure earlier in the month.
Reiterating, “the stem, cell and gene therapy sector is still seen as vulnerable to extreme low volume moves in either direction, as share pricing risk stimulates their susceptibility!”
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!”
WHY do I keep analyzing Biostage (BSTG): When one sees an inextricable wrong and morally repulsive scenario; it takes courage, resolve and patience to stay the course of asking the questions without response!
Who is defining the metrics for investors and keeping you notified of the sector and market fluctuations? What I provide is a trusted source of share pricing intelligence – it’s more than opinion, I deal in the facts and numbers that back them up.
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.
Regulation Analyst Certification (Reg AC): The research analyst primarily responsible for the content of this report certifies the following under Reg AC: I hereby certify that all views expressed in this report accurately reflect my personal views about the subject company or companies and its or their securities. I also certify that no part of my compensation was, is or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed in this report.
