September 29, 2017 7:32pm

Investors may see a pause in lieu of the momentum we’ve been seeing ...

 

The NASDAQ closed at a record for a 50th time this year with the index rising +1.1% over the week and is up 1% over the month, while its quarterly gain is 5.8%.

 

Remember, bet on the jockey than the race … watch the past two year successes and failures when investing

 

I would much rather invest in an A+ team company with a B+ idea, than a B+ team with an A+ idea.

 

What is the case for the newest normal – take profit while you can

 

The truths of “our” universe are reported - here!

I answer one question, in which company should investors commit and keep their money. In the grip of rotating cycles and disparaging trends, what is the price of sector knowledge – a subscription! 

 


 

Friday’s results have implications to Monday’s sector activity as a daily report may say little or a lot and it serves as insurance that all indications are being examined and evaluated!

 

 

Henry'omics:

The Russell 2000 closed at a record for a 21st time in 2017, rising 2.08 points, or 0.1%, to 1,490.86. The small-cap index climbed by 2.8% over the week and 6.1% over the month, over the quarter, the RUT was up 5.4%.

  • From the pre-open’s newsletter “… last session of the month and quarter; companies will soon be on a reporting parade to show their “stuff”: spending and cash positions to justify present and future development.”

What more can one say - another Q is done with as another year fades!

  • Once again, a “sell it and come back for it” strategy has paid off for investors.

The third quarter could be another loser across the sector although we have seen some gains over the period and retreats.

  • Fundamentals remained moderately strong with in dispersed weak periods despite lofty valuations.

Those hoping the fewer good times aren’t over do have history on their side; Q4 is historically the strongest of the year.

 

October could also determine whether sector equities have a great, moderate or weak move over the remainder of the year!

 

 

Some of MY working trend lines or indications:

The greatest volume to the downside:  ATHX, BLUE, ADRO, BTX and ONCE

Upside volume was weighted to:  CAPR, MGXG, IMUC, VCEL and SGMO

Biggest $ downside: BLUE (-$3.80), OSIR (-$0.25), ADRO (-$0.25), STML (-$0.25) and FATE (-$0.11) with 18 more …

Largest $ upside:  CLLS (+$0.98), RGNX (+0.85), CAPR (+$0.80), SGMO (+$0.65) and QURE (+$0.53) with 9 more …

Flat:  RENE.L

 

The merry-go-round sector turns and turns again:

VCEL was up again +$0.40 after Thursday’s  +$0.10 after Wednesday’s +$0.60 – a wow as the Q comes to close to an end and a Ladenburg presentation – I wouldn’t be surprised by a financing in future and soon …

as HSGX closes flat at $1.98 barely pops +$0.02  following Wednesday’s +$0.01, AXGN closed up +0.35 after dropping $0.10 after yesterday’s +$0.10 and MDXG was up +$0.02 after dropping  -$0.06 following Monday’s -$0.40 …

Even AGTC was up again +$0.20 after Thursday’s +$0.05 after being flat for 4 sessions out of eight … the next question is how many former executives have been classified as retired and resign – still being paid (former CFO – Bullock) another years salary and a $119.5 K bonus plus benefits and option continuation – Bullock had his issues and was replaced for a reason.  Another CEO Washer cover-up … costly and duplicitous or what?

BSTG was a usual loser, closing flat on Friday after being down again -$0.0105 after yesterday’s -$0.029 after being barely up for a few days – still waiting for the judge’s ruling re their terminal death suit …

AST was up +$0.05 after Thursday’s -$0.10 after Wednesday’s +$0.15 and mothership BTX was down -$0.06 after being up +$0.02 following Wednesday’s +$0.10 … they both NEED cash to prop their balance sheets

CAPR closed up +$0.80 after Thursday’s +$0.05 post being down -$0.06 – somethings up or amiss by these gyrations - CAPR can’t keep fooling investors for long …

Immuno-oncologists - JUNO was up again +$0.41 following yesterday’s  +$1.77 post Wednesday’s +$0.63;  KITE was up +$0.08 after yesterday’s +$0.05 following Wednesday’s +$0.04 and BLCM was down again -$0.02 after being down  -$0.03 post being up +$0.06, while VSTM was recharged again +$0.02 post Thursday’s +$0.01 following Wednesday’s +$0.17

ATHX was down again -$0.07 after Thursday’s  -$0.07 after being down -$0.25 as many question their cash position going forward and their clinical “manufacturing” issues as trials continue …

CLBS closed down again -$0.07 after Thursday’s -$0.07 after being down  -$0.08 – the same story: seemingly out of favor with all that cash, maybe an issue of focus, ability and capacity of current CEO’s strategic and tactical operating skills … just can’t get any respect! CLBS is now headed to the Mesa meeting, another kumbiyah West Coast trip?  

RGNX was up again +$0.85, any time one has a doubt – wait it usually rebounds, SGMO was up as well +$0.65 as ONCE hit a speed bump -$0.07 and BLUE dropped -$3.80

 

 

The advance/decline line scenario of 43 SCGT & RT covered companies:   

·         The first hour was positive with an A/DL of 22/13 and 4 flats;

·         The mid-day was positive  with an A/DL of 23/16 and 4 flats;

·         The close was positive with an A/DL of 23/14 and 6 flats;

 

 

Daily analytics:

U.S. stocks wrapped up the week, the month and the quarter on a high note, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite and Russell 2000 hitting all-time highs on Friday. All the main indexes posted weekly, monthly and quarterly gains.

·         The S&P 500 index gained 9.30 points, or 0.4%, to 2,519.36, closing at a record for the 39th time this year. The benchmark index gained 0.7% over the week and 1.9% over the month. The S&P has risen for eight consecutive quarters, gaining 3.9% since July.

·         The NASDAQ closed at a record for a 50th time this year, adding 42.51 points, or 0.7%, to 6,495.96. The index rose 1.1% over the week and is up 1% over the month, while its quarterly gain is 5.8%.

·         The Dow rose 23.89 points, or 0.1%, to 22,405.09, missing its own record by about 7 points. The index barely rose over the week—up 0.3%, but posted solid monthly and quarterly gains. Over the past month, the Dow is up 2.1% while over the quarter it rose 4.9%.

 

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market; Friday traded at 9.51, down -0.42% …

  • Thursday traded at 9.55, down -3.24% after Wednesday traded at 9.87, down -2.95% after Tuesday traded at 10.127, down -0.39% after Monday traded at 10.21, up +6.47% and last Friday traded at 9.59, down -0.83%

 

Welcome to another day of the sector’s roller coaster …

… The iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) indicated:

·         Friday was up +20%

·         Thursday +0.28%

·         Wednesday+1.96%

·         Tuesday +0.32%

·         Monday +0.23%

·         Last Friday +0.43%

 

… The iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology (IBB) indicated:

·         Friday was up +0.92%

·         Thursday +$0.46%

·         Wednesday +0.57%

·         Tuesday -0.93%

·         Monday +0.44%

·         Last Friday -0.40%

 

 

The count - decliners versus gainers:

……. look at the differences in the spreads as decliners jump and %

·         Friday’s decliners ranged from -0.08% <ONCE -$0.07> to -5.15% <OSIR -$0.25> in 14 equities;

·         Thursday’s decliners ranged from -0.16% <RGNX -$0.05> to -3.29% <BSTG -$0.0105> in 14 equities;

·         Wednesday’s decliners ranged from -0.23% <QURE -$0.02> to -10.20% <ATHX -$0.25> in 13 equities;

·         Tuesday’s decliners ranged from -0.05% <XON -$0.01> to -9.36% <OPXA -$0.10> in 23 equities;

·         Monday’s decliners ranged from -0.16% <XON -$0.03> to -10.97% <CYTX -$0.04> in 22 equities;

·         Last Friday’s decliners ranged from -0.04% <KITE -$0.08> to -9.36% <OPXA -$0.10> in 20 equities;

Versus

… Look at the percentage’s (%) and spreads …

·         Friday’s gainers ranged from +0.04% <KITE +$0.08> to +35.87% <CAPR +$0.30> in 23 equities;

·         Thursday’s gainers ranged from +0.03% <KITE +$0.05> to +3.13% <CUR +$0.04> in 24 equities;

·         Wednesday’s gainers ranged from +0.02% <KITE +$0.04> to +12.24% <VCEL +$0.60> in 30 equities;

·         Tuesday’s gainers ranged from +0.18% <KITE +$0.33> to +5.30% <BLFS +$0.28> in 17 equities;

·         Monday’s gainers ranged from +0.01% <KITE +$0.01> to +9.56% <RGNX +$2.70> in 16 equities;

·         Last Friday’s gainers ranged from +0.18% <MESO +$0.01> to +8.46% <JUNP +$3.52> in 18 equities;

 

 

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.