February 28, 2022 8:15am

February ends acerbated by volatility, declining share pricing, earnings and war footed headlines

Pre-open indications: 7 SELL Indications and 1 pimp/pump/promote

Earnings (today): Fate Therapeutics and BioLife Solutions (BLFS)

RMi outlines a daily bell weather of “indications” about what you need to know; it’s what could happen or materialize after the opening and what might happen during the session.

Remember that overnight and pre-open actions in futures don't necessarily translate into actual trading in the coming day’s session.

Only the facts … I ask questions and note the indications of what could happen …

Dow futures are DOWN -0.85% (-289 points), S&P futures are DOWN -1.07% (-47 points) and NASDAQ futures are DOWN -1.05% (-152 points)

 

U.S. stock futures moved lower in Monday’s pre-market as Russian induced warfare continues to grind news and sentiment,

European stocks were sharply lower with more sanctions being imposed on Russia for its invasion with the U.S., Europe and Canada agreeing to remove key Russian banks from the interbank messaging system, SWIFT,

Asia-Pacific stocks were mixed with oil futures up +4%; MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dipping fractionally while Taiwan markets are closed for a holiday.

 

Henry’omics:

Last week, the Nasdaq ended the week in green, rising +1.1%; still in correction, and 15% from its record close.

The stock market rebounded late last week in large part on relief that Western sanctions weren't as harsh as feared. But on Saturday, the U.S., European Union, U.K. and Canada agreeing to suspend some Russian banks from the Swift payments system and target Russia's central bank.

·         Swift connects all the world banks in a network, handling trillions of dollars' worth of payments. Without Swift access, banks won't honor payments or transfers from Russia.

A key bank move … Switzerland's president (Sunday) said that it's "very probable" that Switzerland could impose similar measures on Russian banks.

 

RegMed Investors’ (RMi) closing bell: “share pricing risk decline from a headline drive market to close sector positive. We have all experienced over-reactions; February has been such a month” …  https://www.regmedinvestors.com/articles/12317

Ebb and flow –

·         February stats: 11 negative, 7 positive closes and 1 holiday

·         January stats: 1 holiday, 1 neutral, 13 negative and 6 positive closes

 

RegMed/Cell and Gene Therapy Earnings Scorecard Q4/21 and FY21 Results … https://www.regmedinvestors.com/articles/11628 ... added (MESO), (QURE) – 14 total

 

The Biostage (OTC: QB: BSTG) Chronicles: Who, What, When, Where, Why and one H (HOW) … https://www.regmedinvestors.com/articles/12306

 

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

SELL indications:

Athersys (ATHX +$0.01560 -$0.02 or -2.18%

BioLife Solutions (BLFS +$0.16) -$0.08 or -0.34%

CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP +2.57 after Thursday’s +$3.91) -$2.24 or -3.75%

Editas Medicine (EDIT closed +$1.04 after Thursday’s +$1.45) morning indication: -$0.25 or -1.48%

Sage Therapeutics (SAGE +$1.94 after Thursday’s $2.10) -$0.02 or -0.05%

ReNeuron (RENE.L +$1.00 after Thursday’s +$1.50) -0.50 or -1.54%

Vericel (VCEL +$0.34) -$1.11 or -2.83%

 

Pimp/Pump and Promote:

Biostage (OTCQB: BSTG) closed flat with 70 shares traded after Thursday’s -$0.62 with a “sudden block” of 1,259 share traded after Wednesday’s +$0.20 with an “out-of-the air” block of 3,070 after Tuesday’s +$0.62 with 4,225 shares traded – doesn’t the term – “zombie” fit this equity.

WHO is BUYING these shares of a company with a 2-year-old IND, NO clinical trial initiation, a terminal death lawsuit overhang and a dwindling cash position?

·         Also, by use of the pump/promote process; is BSTG preparing to register the outstanding private placement (PP) shares for a reverse to initiate an offering - they’re NOT going ANYWHERE without a cash inflow.

 

The BOTTOM LINE: rotate or speculate – we have two (2) earnings due the last Monday of the month of February. 

I was actually surprised by the Friday’s sector’s upside reaction, buying on the attack but I truly understand the move.

Traders will be watching for any signs of resolution on the Russian crisis (negotiated peace or a sign of a near-term victory for either side) or for signs tensions could be worsening raising the chance of a world war involving NATO members,” wrote Jim Paulsen, chief investment strategist for the Leuthold Group. “As news trickles out supporting either thesis, expect daily stock market action to remain volatile.” <CNBC>

Considering all that is happening in markets, one more question is asked: are markets and our sector more afraid of Fed Chair Powell autocracy or Putin’s ambition?

Fed policy is the subtext of virtually every discussion about the market’s direction; we will always have sector earnings.

Earnings’ reporting on the horizon:

·         Fate Therapeutics, Monday, 2/28

·         BioLife Solutions (BLFS), Monday,2/28

·         Athersys (ATHX), Tuesday, 3/15

Investors should focus on forward-looking guidance, last year’s operating losses i.e., spending and cash positions or runways!

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.

WHY do I keep reporting on Biostage (BSTG): I WAS there to experience what occurred and saw the decay of transparency and more; it takes courage, resolve and patience to stay the course of asking the questions without response!

 

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 their investment objectives.

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.

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