Mkt Down, Swine Flu Up Monday 8.31

Monday 8.31.09:
DOW -47(.5%)@9,496..NAS -19.7(.97%)@2,009..SP500 -8.3(.8%)@1,020.6

BIO-Stem Index:-.06(-.04%) @138.36 (+38.36% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: -.70(-.62%) @112.19 (+12.19% ytd)
[Stem cell index beating biotech by 23.3%]

The market was down again Monday, but halved its losses from the a.m., which was hurt by China falling 6% overnight. Some biotech exploded: SVA up 55% on its swine flu vaccine approval in China; SQNM up 20% on test speculation, lots of call options trading. TRBN added another 12% to its 44% jump on Friday after a deal with Facet biotech. Microcap CPRX rose 201% on a licensing deal with Northwestern U. - story here

Overall: only 9 stem cell stocks were up, 21 were down, 2 unchanged.

Stem Cell Stocks (9 up, 21 down)
Big Winners: AVII +17.9%, CRIS +6%, SQNM +21%
Losers: ASTM -4.6%, AFFX -5.2%, CYTX -4.4%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII +17.9%, BCRX -.9%, DVAX +10.4%, GILD -.4%, INHX +10.4, INO +3.8%, NVAX +2.5%, SIGA -2.7%, SVA +53.6%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: APT +12.7%, CTIC +5.8%, DCTH +18.4%, HEB +9.9%, MAXY +3.7%, NVGN +3.5%, PLX +7%, POZN +4%, QGLY +13.7%, RPRX +15.4%, SCLN +6.1%, SPPI +10.3%, TRBN +12.6%, VSCI +15%
Losers: EXAS -6.5%, IMMU -4.5%, ISTA -6%, PARD -4%, YMI -9.5%

Big Volume: APT, ALTH, AVII, CPRX, CRIS, DCTH, HEB, IMMU, NVAX, OSIR, PLX, SCLN, SPPI, SQNM, SVA, YMI

New Intraday Highs: APT, BCRX, CRIS, DCTH, INHX, NKTR, SCLN, SPPI, SVA, VICL
[SVA's was the biggest breakout]

Disclosure: No positions.

Mkt Up, Stem Cells Mixed Thursday 8.27

8.28.09: DOW +4(.04%)@9,543..NAS +.2(.01%)@2,024..SP500 +.12(.01%)@1,028

BIO-Stem Index: -.93(-.67%) @139.24 (+39.24% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: -.80(-.7%) @113.64 (+13.65% ytd)
[Stem cell index beating biotech by 22.5%]

The market was up slightly again today, all three indices keep inching up. Biotech fell today, but not a lot: our stem cell index and the biotech ETF's were -.7% each, while more stem cell stocks fell than rose, 18 to 14. IMMU surged 60% on positive test results for a lupus drug. Click here for the story

Stem Cell Stocks (14 up, 18 down)
Big Winners: CRIS +7.1%, GERN +3.6% (now that I'm out!)
Losers: ATHX -3%, OSTE -3.9%, SQNM -5.3%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII +3.5%, BCRX -6%, DVAX +1.2%, GILD -.9%, INHX +7.7, INO -4.6%, NVAX -4.2%, SIGA -.5%, SVA -7.1%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: CGEN +24.1%, IMMU +60.6%, NVGN +5.9%, OGXI +5.9%, ONCY +5%, YMI +17.1%
Losers: ALKS -7.9%, ELRN -4.6%, HGSI -7.5%, JAZZ -4.8%, SOMX -10.9%, TRIB -4.4%

Disclosure: No positions.

Mkt Flat, Stem Cells Up Wed 8.26

Wednesday 8.26.09:
DOW +4 (.04%) @9,543..NAS +.2 (.01%) @2,024..SP500 +.12(.01%) @1,028

BIO-Stem Index: +1.3 (+.9%) @140.17 (+40.17% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: +1.6 (1.4%) @114.45 (+14.45% ytd)
[Stem cell index beating biotech by 22.4%]

The market was up as slightly as could be (.01%-.04%) today. Biotech again outpaced the market: our stem cell index was up .9%, the biotech ETFs up 1.4%, each easily beating the market again. 19 Stem cell stocks were up, 10 down, 3 unchanged.

Stem Cell Stocks
Big Winners: ASTM +5.6%, GERN +5.6%, OPXA +4.3%, SQNM +13.4%, STEM +4.9%
Losers: ASTM -4.1%, GHDX -2.1%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII +2.2%, BCRX +2.9%, DVAX +1.9%, GILD -.04%, INHX +13%, INO +6.9%, NVAX +15.7%, SIGA -1.4%, SVA +4.1%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: AGEN +6%, AVNR +10.7%, CERS +6.3%, CRME +4.9%, HGSI +6.7%, JAV +17.8%, MYGN +19.4%, RGEN +4.6%, SCLN +8.6%, SOMX +18%, VICL +6.4%
Losers: CPD -3.1%, MNOV -4.7%, ONCY -3.5%, RPRX -6%, SNTS -3.1%, TRIB -3.7%, VSCI -9%

Disclosure: No current positions.

Mkt Flat, Biotech Up Monday 8.24

Monday 8.24.09:
DOW +3(.03%)@9,509..NAS -2.9(.14%)@2,018..SP500 -.56(.05%)@1,025.6

BIO-Stem Index: .24@137.38 (+.2% today, +37.38% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: +.16@112.03 (+.01% today, +12.03% ytd)
[Stem cell index beating biotech by 22.6% ytd]

The market was up early on Monday but the gains gradually eroded until we had a flat close, the Dow up slightly, the Nas and SP down a tiny amount each. 13 Stem cell stocks were up, 18 down, 1 unchanged. Our stem cell index was up .2%, the biotech ETFs up .01%.

Swine flu stocks shined today: BCRX +25.4%, NVAX +9.5%, SVA +10.9%. Other flu stocks surging were APT +20%, HEB +16.8%, PURE +18.6%, VICL +4.5%.

Stem Cell Stocks
Big Winners: ASTM +5.6%, ARIA +4.2%, OSIR 14.2%
Losers: CYTX -4.1%, PSTI -4.8%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII +4.7%, BCRX +25.4%, DVAX -1.2%, GILD -.2%, INHX nc, INO +.5%, NVAX +9.5%, SIGA -.1%, SVA +10.9%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: ACAD +10.5%, ALNY +5.1%, APT +20%, ARIA +4.2%, CLDX +8.8%, CPD +6.6%, HEB +16.8%, ISTA +6.4%, JAV +5.7%, MED +6.4%, MNOV +11.4%, PURE +18.6%, SGMO +8.7%, SOMX +7.8%, SPPI +6.6%, VICL +4.5%
Losers: CYPB -4.6%, RPRX -13.6%

Disclosure: long AVNR, ONXX, FXP, TZA.

Rally Continues Everywhere Friday 8.21

Friday 8.21.09:

DOW +156(1.7%)@9,506..NAS +32(1.6%)@2,021..SP500 +18.8(1.8%)@1,026

BIO-Stem Index: +1.45@137.14 (+1.73%)today, +37.14% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: +1.24@112.01 (+1.1% today, +12.01% ytd)
[Stem cell index beating biotech by 22.4%]

The market continued its rally Friday, up another 1.6-1.8%. Apparently there's nothing wrong with the economy after all. RPRX rose 49% on NO news, but has fallen from 14 to under a dollar, so it may be going bankrupt; this looks like manipulation, or else buying on inside news. 21 Stem cell stocks were up, 9 down, 2 unchanged.

Stem Cell Stocks
Big Winners: ASTM +4.7%, AVII 3.7%, CYTX 4.6%, OSIR 3.9%
Losers: ATHX -2%, OPXA -2.1%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII +3.7%, BCRX -.4%, DVAX +1.2%, GILD +.26%, INHX -2.15%, INO -4.25%, NVAX +.6%, SIGA +1.6%, SVA +2.5%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: ADLR +8.3%, CBI +4%, CLSN +5.9%, CRGN +4.5%, CRME +4.2%, ISTA +6%, JAV +5.3%, PMD +6.4%, PURE +4.2%, RPRX +49.3%, SCLN +6.8%, SUPG +6.3%
Losers: ANIK -12.3%, INSM -4%, QGLY -16.7%, SOMX -3.3%

Disclosure: long AVNR, ONXX, FXP, TZA.

Mkt Rallies Again, Stem Cells Mixed Thursday 8.20

Thursday 8.20.09:
DOW +71(.76%)@9,350..NAS +20(1%)@1,989..SP500 +10.9(1.1%)@1007

BIO-Stem Index: -2.4@135.68 (-1.7%)today, +35.7% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: +.59@110.77 (+.54% today, +10.8% ytd)
[Stem cell index beating biotech by 22.4%]

The market was up for the third day in a row, following Monday's big drop, rising another 1% overall. Our Stem cell index fell 1.7% due to a 25% drop in AVII, who priced a big stock offering at 1.42 per shr, otherwise it would have been up slightly (.2%); in the index 14 were up, 11 down. The biotech ETF index was up a half percent. ANIK jumped 41% when a rivals drug was rejected, while Anika expects to file for approval of it's knee drug by year end, one that's already approved in Canada.

Stem Cell Stocks (14 up, 17 down, 1 unch)
Big Winners: BDX +3.2%, CRA +4.3%, OSIP 3.5%
Losers: ATHX -5.7%, AVII -24.7%, PSTI -6.4%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII -24.7%, BCRX +.5%, DVAX +1.2%, GILD -1.6%, INHX nc, INO -1.8%, NVAX -.8%, SIGA -1.4%, SVA +.2%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: ANIK +41.3%, APT +4.8%, ARQL +4%, CGEN +6.4%, DCTH +6.3%, KNDL +5.8%, MRX +5.6%, THLD +18%, VICL +4.1%, VPHM +5.2%
Losers: AVNR -7.1%, CERS -27% (giving back just part of yesterday's leap), CRXL -5.1%, CTIC -5.7%, MNOV -9.2%, NVGN -6.1%, POZN -5%, PURE -7.3%, SOMX -6.2%,

Disclosure: long ONXX, FXP, TZA - stopped out of AVNR today.

Mkt and Stem Cells Up Again, Wednesday 8.19

Wednesday 8.19.09:
DOW +61(.66%)@9,279..NAS +13(.7%)@1,969..SP500 +6.8(.7%)@996.5

BIO-Stem Index: +1.2@138.06 (+.8%)today, +38.1% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: +2.2@110.18 (+2.05% today, +10.2% ytd)
[Stem cell index beating biotech by 25.3%]

This time the Chinese market falling 3-4% didn't affect the US market, just the overnight futures, as the market opened lower then turned positive halfway through the day - now it's regained nearly all of Monday's drop. Much ado about nothing. 17 Stem cell stocks were up, 14 down, 1 unchanged. Our stem cell index was up over 1%, but the biotech ETFs rose over 2%, easily outpacing the market. Stem cells saw 27 up, only 5 down - one of the best days for advancers, just no huge gainers.

Microcap Cerus (CERS) jumped 61% on Swiss approval of its blood system that inactivates blood-borne pathogens in donated blood. EDAP was up 206% to 4.20 on FDA approval for a sonic device that fragments kidneystones (this is new?).

Stem Cell Stocks
Big Winners: ASTM +8%, ATHX +10.5%, GHDX +4.2%, SQNM +9.4%
Losers: ARIA -7.2%, PSTI -13.3%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII +2.9%, BCRX +2.3%, DVAX +5.1%, GILD +2%, INHX +6.8%, INO +.9%, NVAX -1.2%, SIGA +8.4%, SVA -5.9%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: ALKS +5%, ALTH +5.3%, ANDS +6.7%, ARQL +9.3%, BDSI +5%, BLUD +5.7%, CERS +60.9%, CRME +5.6%, CTIC +10.8%, DYAX +6.2%, GNBT +5%, IRIS +4.5%, KNDL +4.1%, NVGN +4.7%, OXGI +5%, POZN +6.5%, SOMX +20.7%, VPHM +5.5%, VRTX +4.4%
Losers: QGLY -8.4%, TRBN -5.1%

Disclosure: long AVNR, ONXX, FXP, TZA. [Sold FAS, added TZA]

Mkt and Stem Cells Bounce Back Tuesday 8.18

Tuesday 8.18.09:
DOW +88(.96%)@9,223..NAS +25(1.3%)@1,956..SP500 +10(1%)@989.8

BIO-Stem Index: +1.7@136.58 (+1.25%)today, +36.6% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: +.56@108.11 (+.53% today, +8.1% ytd)
[Stem cell index beating biotech by 26.3%]

The market regained half of yesterday's drop - as we've said: up today, down tomorrow, ad infinitum. GERN dropped 11.6% more as the FDA halted their study on paralysis so the company could present more animal data; apparently they may be altering the dosages to higher levels. They somehow manage to always find a way to delay any rally for investors - first they issued a secondary and now this. I was stopped out of my shares today, back about where I first bought them, after watching a 20% gain dissipate. 17 Stem cell stocks were up, 14 down, 1 unchanged.

Stem Cell Stocks
Big Winners: ARIA +6.2%, AVII 4.7%, CRIS 4.4%, OSIR 4.6%, OSTE 9.4%, PSTI 21.8%
Losers: CUR -7.9%, GERN -11.6%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII +4.7%, BCRX +2.4%, DVAX +2.6%, GILD +.1%, INHX nc, INO -2.26%, NVAX +7.6%, SIGA 4.4%, SVA +13.9%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: APT +8%, AVNR +4.3%, CBI +4.9%, CPD +6.7%, MRX +5.6%, VPHM +5.1%
Losers: PLX -5.8%, RPRX -14.7%

Disclosure: long AVNR, ONXX, FAS, FXP.

Mkt and Stem Cells Fall 2% Monday 8.18

Monday 8.18.09:
Dow -186(2%)@9,135..NAS -55(2.75%)@1,931..SP500 -24(2.4%)@979.73

BIO-Stem Index: -3.1@134.89 (-2.23% today, +34.9% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: -1.996@107.55 (-1.8% today, +7.55% ytd)
[Stem cell index beating biotech by 25.4%]

The markets in Asia plunged, some 5%, and started a chain reaction that led to the U.S., which fell 2%+. Each market blamed the U.S. consumer sentiment survey released on Friday, so they're letting 250 people surveyed cost the world markets billions in equity? unreal.. I think they really just wanted an excuse to take profits. We'll see if it takes out key Sp500 support levels, of 970 and 950. Our stem cell index fell 2.2% (only 7 were up), the biotech ETF's fell 1.8%, not quite as bad at the overall market.

Stem Cell Stocks (7 up, 24 down, 1 unch)
Big Winners: ARIA +7.2%, OPXA +12%, PSTI =13.6%
Losers: ASTM -7%, AFFX -7.2%, AVII -5%, CYTX -8%, OSTE -8.8%, SQNM -5.4%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII -5.1%, BCRX -5.8%, DVAX -6.1%, GILD -1.6%, INHX -4.4%, INO +6.7%, NVAX -6.9%, SIGA -3.1%, SVA -6.6%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: PLX +10.8%, QGLY +65%
Losers: ACAD -7.9%, AGEN -5.2%, APT -7.2%, AVNR -9.9%, CGEN -5.5%, CLDX -9.1%, CPD -5.7%, DYAX -6%, ELRN -7.3%, EXAS -9.7%, IMMU -10.6%, JAZZ -5.1%, MED -7%, MYGN -5.6%, OGXI -6%, ONCY -7.8%, PURE -5.3%, RPRX -28.7%, SOMX -7.4%

Disclosure: long AVNR, GERN, ONXX, FAS, FXP.

Mkt and Stem Cells Drop Friday 8.15

Friday 8.15.09:
DOW -77(.8%)@9,321..NAS -24(-1.2%)@1,985.5..SP500 -8.6(-.85%)@1,004.09

BIO-Stem Index: -2.3@137.38 (-1.7% today, +37.4% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: -1.76@108.76 (-1.6% today, +9.9% ytd)
[Stem cell index beating biotech by 26.3%]

Blaming the "consumer sentiment index" (a survey of just 250 people!), the market was down triple digits most of the day and halved the losses in the last hour to close down just under 1%, all on light volume (I guess the bears stick around to drive everyone's wealth down no matter what). Aren't you glad they let 250 people shave a few billion off the nation's wealth in just one day? Sometimes I wonder just who dreams up this stuff and why supposedly smart traders don't just ignore it. Only 8 stem cell stocks were up, 22 down, 2 unchanged, as our Stem Cell Index fell 1.7%, still up 37% year-to-date.

Stem Cell Stocks
Big Winners: ARIA +8.3%, CYTX +2.2%
Losers: AFFX -6.7%, AVII -6.3%, OPXA -14.4% (the fall continues; nowdays I guess you don't want any good news)

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII -6.3%, BCRX +4.6%, DVAX -1.2%, GILD -.5%, INHX +2.2%, INO -4.6%, NVAX -1.6%, SIGA -2.9%, SVA -1.4%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: AVNR +2.7%, DSCO +2%, GTXI +2.4%, IMMU +5.1%, MED +2.95%, PRAN +11.1%
Losers: AGEN -7%, ALNY -4.3%, CLDX -4.8%, CYPB -4.5%, DYAZ -5.6%, EXAS -4.8%, ICAD -5.7%, KVA -4.8%, NKTR -5.1%, ONCY -7.8%, POZN -4.2%, SNTS -4.9%, SPPI -4.7%

Disclosure: long AVNR, GERN, ONXX, FAS.

Mkt Up, Stem Cells Down Thursday 8.13

Thursday 8.13.09:
DOW +36(.4%)@9,398..NAS +10.6(.53%)@2,009..SP500 +7(.7%)@1,012.7

BIO-Stem Index: -.75@139.70 (-.5% today, +39.7% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: -.44@110.52 (-.4% today, +10.5% ytd)
[Stem cell index beating biotech by 26.4%, gap narrowing]

The market was set to open higher then got disappointing economic data (good news yesterday, so bad news today, etc..) and managed a slight gain anyway. Rumors that mark-to-market accounting rules may be changed had most financials up a little today, helping keep the market up. Stem cells were mostly down, 11 up, 20 down. AVNR gave back 9% more after its pop from a positive Ph3 drug report.

Stem Cell Stocks (11 up, 20 down, 1 unch)
Big Winners: AFFX +3.7%
Losers: ASTM -4.2%, AVII -8.7%, OPXA -15.1%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII -8.7%, BCRX -1.3%, DVAX -1.2%, GILD -1.4%, INHX +2.3%, INO -1.4%, NVAX +1%, SIGA -.7%, SVA +1%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: ACAD +15.5%, AGEN +8.1%, CBI+5%, CPD +6.4%, ELRN +9.5%, HEB +6.3%, MED +7.7%, ONCY +11.1%,
Losers: ALTH -5.2%, AVNR -9.6%, JAZZ -5.3%

SubMicro: ANX +33.3%, BPAX +15.7%, CEGE +23.1%, FMTI +6.9%, HSKA +11.9%, NEXM +11.1%, TGEN +18.5%

Disclosure: long AVNR, GERN, ONXX, FAS.

Mkt Up 1% on Fed Inaction, Stem Cells Mixed Wed 8.12

Wednesday 8.12.09:
DOW +120(1.3%)@9,361..NAS +29(1.5%)@1,999..SP500 +11.5(1.15%)@1,005.8

BIO-Stem Index: +.64@140.44 (+.46% today, +40.4% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: +.81@110.99 (+.74% today, +11% ytd)
[Stem cell index beating biotech by 26.5%]

The market was up all day in anticipation of the Fed's meeting on interest rates, who decided on no action but saw the financial markets "improving". However, the market pulled back from its highs in a closing bell selloff. AVNR gave back 12% of yesterday's gains. JAZZ jumped 11% more on upward guidance, and that it's on track for apply for approval in 2009 for its fibromyalgia drug JZP-6.

Stem Cell Stocks (19 up, 12 down, 1 unch.)
Big Winners: AFFX +5.2%, CRIS +7.8%, SQNM +3.3%
Losers: ASTM -7.7%, ATHX -4.9%, CUR -3.9%, OPXA -7.5%, OSTE -3.4%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII -1.4%, BCRX +7%, DVAX +2.5%, GILD +.4%, INHX -2.2%, INO -.9%, NVAX +1.3%, SIGA +.1%, SVA +2.5%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: ALNY +8.6%, ARQL +6.7%, CPD +10.4%, CRIS +7.8%, CTIC +10.3%, DSCO +4.3%, DYAX +4.4%, EXEL +4.3%, IMMU +5.6%, JAZZ +10.6%, MED +5.7%, NKTR +4.3%, NPSP +9.4%, PGNX +5.3%, PRAN +8.9%, REGN +4.5%, SGEN +5.3%, SNTS +4.2%, SUPG +4.7%, TRBN +9.2%, YMI +5.95%
Losers: ANDX -7.1%, AVNR -12.3%, CERS -5.6%, CRME -8.5%, JAV -5.4%, PMD -4.5%, SOMX -4.5%

Disclosure: long AVNR, GERN, ONXX, FAS. [Apparently I killed the rally in AVNR by buying!]

Mkt, Stem Cells Pull Back Tuesday 8.11

Tuesday 8.11.09: DOW -96(-1%)@9,241..NAS -22.5(-1.1%)@1,970..SP500 -12.75(-1.3%)@994

BIO-Stem Index: -1.8@140.4 (-1.27% today, +40.4% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: -.35@109.9 (-.32% today, +9.9% ytd)
[Stem cell index beating biotech by 27.7%, the gap is closing]

Now suddenly, in spite of the jobs report, "the market is ahead of itself, needs to correct".. Ok, the market manipulators have spoken, and all the indices fell over 1% each today. Our stem cell index fell 1.3% also, but the ETF's only fell .3%, having a lower beta as a group. Only 9 stem cell stocks rose today, 22 fell. OPXA gave back 13.5% more of its gains. AVNR rose 29.7% (80% intraday) on good Phase III results of a drug for emotional outbursts due to neurological disorders ( Reuters story here ). JAV fell 27.5% on disappointing results for its interim pain drug.

Stem Cell Stocks (9 up, 22 down, 1 unch.)
Big Winners: AMGN +2.6%, ATHX +2%, CRA +2.4%, CUR +5.7%
Losers: ASTM -5%, ARIA -4.3%, AVII -4.1%, CRIS -4.1%, OPXA -13.5%, SQNM -5.5%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII -4.1%, BCRX -2.8%, DVAX -1.8%, GILD -.8%, INHX -4.3%, INO -3.9%, NVAX -2.8%, SIGA -1.1%, SVA +.4%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: ANDS +5.9%, AVNR +29.7%, GTCB +5%, HGSI +5.8%, JAZZ +6.9%, MNOV +11.1%, ONCY +13.9%, SUPG +6.7%
Losers: AGEN -4.2%, ARIA -4.3%, CBI -6.1%, CERS -5.3%, CPD -6.5%, CRME -8.2%, DCTH -5.8%, DSCO -4.1%, ELRN -4.7%, IMMU -6.2%, JAV -27.5%, KVA -7.4%, NVGN -5%, PLX -4.6%, QGLY -4.3%, RPRX -12.6%, SGEN -7.2%, SOMX -4.7%, TISA -6.3%, YMI -8.7%

Disclosure: long AVNR, GERN, ONXX, FAS.

Mkt, Stem Cells Down Slightly Monday 8.10

Monday 8.10.09: DOW -32(.3%)@9,337..NAS -8(.4%)@1,992..SP500 -3.4(.3%)@1,007.1

BIO-Stem Index: -1.0@142.2 (-.7% today, +42.2% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: +.3@110.22 (+.27% today, +10.2% ytd)
[Stem cell index beating biotech by 29%]

The market opened down but refused to sell off after the positive reaction Friday to the jobs report. Stem cells were mixed, 17 up, 13 down, 2 unchanged. AVNR was up 10-15% after hours after announcing a conference call before the market opens tomorrow; some speculate it's early news regarding drug trials, hence the positive reaction. Penny stock Ym Biosciences (YMI) was up 58% to .92, hitting a 52-wk high at 1.20 intraday, on clearance (for foreign companies) to test a cancerous tumor inhibitor, nimotuzumab (for lung and brain cancer), in further trials, results expected in 2010.

Stem Cell Stocks (17 up, 13 down)
Big Winners: ASTM +15.6%, OPXA +7%, OSIR +2.5%
Losers: AVII -8.3%, CELG -3.2%, CRIS -3.3%, PSTI -4.4%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII -8.3%, BCRX +1.7%, DVAX -7.3%, GILD +.5%, INHX unch, INO +6.9%, NVAX +.6%, SIGA +1.95%, SVA +3.1%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: ACAD +16% (4x vol), ALTH +8.3% (3x vol), ANDS +7.2%, APT +5.95% (2x vol), CERS +15.6% (3x vol), CPD +8.8%, GENZ +4.9% (3x vol), JAV +5.7%(2x vol), QDEL +7%, SOMX +9.4%, TISA +15% (35x vol), YMI +58% (14x vol)
Losers: ARQL -3.3%, CLDX -3.1%, CRGN -3.3%, DCTH -3.1%, ELRN -4.5%, IMMU -3.3%, PGNX -4%, PLX -3.9% (6x vol), SUPG -3.6%, THLD -5.2%

Disclosure: long GERN, ONXX, FAS.

Mkt and Stem Cells Up on Job Report Friday 8.07

Friday 8.07.09: DOW +114(1.2%)@9,370..NAS +27(1.4%)@2,000..SP500 +13.4(1.3%)@1,010.48
BIO-Stem Index: 143.2 (+1.2% today, +43.2% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: 109.92 (+.44% today, +9.9% ytd)
[Stem cell index beating biotech by 31%]

The market reacted to a jobs report that showed less job losses than expected by rising over 1% and re-establishing the recent uptrend. Stem cells also reacted, especially Opexa (OPXA, see our previous post for story link), up over 300% after inking a potential $50m deal with Novartis. The stock closed at .47 Thursday, opened at .82 Friday, and traded as high as 2.85 intraday on 30x normal volume, closing at 2.01 for a gain of 1.54 or 327% from the previous close.
Note: OPXA is too small to have been in our index; the market cap was 5.8m on Thursday, and is now just 24.6m. Had it been in the index, that would have seen a one day gain of around 14%!

Stem Cell Stocks (22 up, 10 down)
Big Winners: ASTM +7.1%, AVII +9.1%, CUR +6.1%, GHDX +6.6%, OPXA +327%
Losers: ATHS -3.8%, LMNX -11.5%, SQNM -17.4%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII +9.1%, BCRX +5.1%, DVAX -1.65%, GILD +.7%, INHX +4.4%, INO -3.6%, NVAX -1%, SIGA -4.8%, SVA -1.1%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: ACAD +5.7%, ARQL +6.4%, CERS +5.3%, CLSN +6.8%, CPD +8.3%, DCTH +4.3%, ELRN +6.2%, MED +4.7%, NEOG +4.7%, ONXX +5%, SPPI +6.6%
Losers (5% ers): ALNY -4%, ANIK -6.7%, APT -4.3%, PLX -5.6%, SCLN -4.4%, SOMX -9.7%, XOMA -8.3%

Disclosure: long GERN, ONXX, FAS.

OPXA Soars 300% on Novartis Deal

OPXA soared from 300%-500% today on a deal to sell stem cell technology to Novartis. Unreal, this had been mired around .50 for awhile, ran up to 2.85 at one point. Here's the story from Reuters

Mkt Down, Stem Cells Take Hit on Thursday 8.06

Thursday 8.06.09: DOW -25(.3%)@9,256.. NAS -20(1%)@1,973.. SP500 -5.6(.56%)@997
BIO-Stem Index: 141.6 (-2.8% today, +41.5% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: 109.44 (-2.2% today, +9.4% ytd)

The market once again tried to erase early gains, and nearly did, finishing off a little. Stem cells however were hit hard, 25 down and 7 up; many other biotechs fell 5% or more. Tomorrow they'll have the bogus jobs report to send the market up or down; these are meaningless as they always get revised later, but they cause people to trade, that's the primary goal of all economic data, to feed the brokers and financial media, who have nothing to do otherwise.

Stem Cell Stocks (7 up, 25 down)
Big Winners: CRIS +5.6%, IART +1.95% (other gainers were fractional)
Losers: ASTM -6.6%, AFFX -4%, ARIA -6.5%, ATHX -8.1%, AVII +6.4%, GERN -5.5%, CUR -4.2%, OPXA -9.4%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII -6.4%, BCRX -8.4%, DVAX -6.7%, GILD -3%, INHX 7.1%, INO -9.6%, NVAX -4.1%, SIGA -4.2%, SVA -2.9%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: APT +22.2% - on an EPS beat, lowered inventory, all systems go, the story here
CRIS +5.6%, CRME +7%, MRX +5%, NPSP +7.3%
Losers (5% ers): ACAD -7.7%, ADLR -5.1%, ANDS -5%, ARIA -6.5%, ARQL -4.9%, ELRN -6.3%, IMMU -7.4%, JAZZ -5%, KNDL -14.2%, MAXY -5.8%, MED -13.9%, OXGI -5.5%, QDEL -10%, RGEN -5.4%, RPRX -7.3%, SCLN -5.3%, SNTS -4.9%, SPPI -5%, VICL -5.4%, VRTX -5.5%

Disclosure: long GERN, ONXX, FAS.

Mkt Up, Stem Cells Down Wednesday 8.05

Wednesday 8.05.09: DOW -39(.4%)@9,281..NAS -18(.9%)@1,993.. SP -2.9(.3%)@1002.72
BIO-Stem Index: 145.54 (+.1% today, +45.5% ytd - we had to replace MGRM with STEM)
BIO-ETF Index: 111.95 (-1.7%% today, +11.2% ytd)

The market was down at the open, but gradually erased the losses, went slightly positive, then sold off at the end to close negative about .4%. Stem cells were mostly down, only 9 up today. ONXX fell 14.7% on a secondary offering after beating EPS yesterday; this is baffling to me, they already had 400m in cash. I'm always confused why this lowers a price as the company gets cash for the shares, it seems like an even swap transaction, or that it should even go up with some new long-term holders now involved. Oh well, that's the stock market, they have a free license to "print money" apparently - just another ad for daytrading and going all cash before the close.


Stem Cell Stocks (9 up, 22 down, 1 n.c.)
Big Winners: ARIA +5.8%, BIO +8.1%, OPXA +12.8%
Losers: AMGN -3.3%, CYTX -3.1%, CUR -3.2%, SQNM -6.2%, STEM -3.4%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII +5.4%, BCRX -.9%, DVAX +6.6%, GILD -2.1%, INHX -10.6%, INO +15.8%, NVAX +11.5%, SIGA -1%, SVA -1.7%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: ARIA +5.8%, CRGN +3.6%, ELRN +4.9%, SCLN +26.7 (opened up 31%, then went down from there)
Losers: AGEN -5.1%, ALKS -4.2%, CRL -9.3%, DSCO -5.9%, ENZN -4%, ONXX -14.7%, SNTS -5.7%, SOMX -8.7%

Disclosure: long GERN, ONXX, FAS (added today).

Mkt Flat, Stem Cells Up Tuesday 8.04

Tuesday 8.04.09: Dow +33.6(.4%)@9,320.. NAS +2.7@2,011.. SP500 +3@1,005.65
BIO-Stem Index: 145.40 (+.5% today, +45.40% ytd)
BIO-ETF Index: 113.91 (+.76% today, +13.91% ytd)

The market was flat all day, ending up slightly. Stem cell stocks were mostly up, 22 out of 32.
At least the market refused to fall below the new levels it's reached. Watch ONXX tomorrow, down 1.50 tonight to 35.00 on a secondary offering, but they're now cash rich, and report EPS tomorrow I believe. Big partner Bayer is rumored to be a suitor, but ONXX should stand on its own merits.

Stem Cell Stocks (22 up, 9 down, 1 n/c)
Big Winners: ASTM +17.8%, AVII +4.2%, CRIS +3.6%, GHDX +3.5%, NUVA +3.9%, SQNM +13%
Losers: ARIA -5%, CYTX -2.1%, OPXA -2%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII -7%, BCRX +.9%, DVAX +1.6%, GILD +.7%, INHX +2.2%, INO +7.7%, NVAX +4.4%, SIGA -.5%, SVA +2.4%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: ACAD +4.9%, DSCO +12%, HGSI +5%, NGSX +4.8%, NKTR +5.6%, RPRX +7.6%
Losers: AGEN -8.1%, ANDS -8.1%, ARIA -5%, ELRN -7.4%, QGLY -7.8%, SCLN -6.6%

Disclosure: long GERN, ONXX.

Our Two Biotech Indexes YTD Performance

In order to gauge the relative performance of stem cell stocks year-to-date, we created an index of the biggest four biotech ETFs (XBI, BBH, IBB, PBE), and an index of the 25 biggest stocks involved in stem cells.

The BIO-ETF index is up 13.05% for 2009.
The ETF changes ytd are: XBI +3.3%, BBH +19.7%, IBB +11.4%, PBE +17.8%

Our BIO-Stem index is up 44.3% for the year, after going up 27.7% in the first six month, so the gain is accerating. We started with a theoretical 100k to make it easy to see the % change, the current value is 144.3k

Our BIO-Stem index stock components: ABT, AFFX, ALXN, AMGN, ARIA, AVII, BDX, BEC, BIO, CELG, CRA, CYTX, DGX, DNDN, GERN, GHDX, IART, LMNX, MIL, NUVA, OSIP, OSIR, OSTE, SQNM, STEM. Some are instrument, equipment, or lab companies, included because we wanted a little diversity and a higher number of companies in the index.

Best stem cell stocks for the year:
DNDN +423%, AVII +214%, AFFX +204%, OSTE +152%, ARIA +118%

Worst performing: SQNM -71%, CRA -45%, OSIR -37%, OSIP -16.5%, LMNX -16.1%

We will later create some biotech indexes of large, small, and microcap stocks to compare other biotechs to the BIO-Stem index.

[Note: historical quote data used for these calculations are taken from a popular online source, but inadvertant and unintentional data errors can occur.. we're only humanoid]

Mkt and Stem Cells Rally Continues Monday 8.03

Monday 8.03.09: Dow +115(1.25%)@9,286..NAS +30(1.5%)@2,009..SP500 +15(1.5%)@1,002.63

The market rally continued Monday, with the SP closing above 1000 and the Nasdaq above 2000 for the first times this year. Many tv spokesmen for corporations say this is a big psychological buy area, as if the public was really doing the trading - estimates are that the public is responsible for only 10% of the market activity. So ignore just about everything they tell you about "how the market works", it's all b.s. It's really just big trading firms like Goldman and Morgan Stanley and lots of hedge funds around the world trading vs. each other all day. Stem cells were mostly up as well, 21 up, 9 down, 2 no change.

Repros (RPRX) plunged 48% on halting of drug trials due to patient safety. They may be forced into bankruptcy now, here's the story

Stem Cell Stocks (21 up, 9 down, 2 n/c)
Big Winners: AFFX +7.5%, ATHX +6.7%, CUR +4.3%
Losers: ASTM -3.3%, AVII -7%, OPXA -9.4%, OSTE -4.2%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII -7%, BCRX +.9%, DVAX +1.6%, GILD +.7%, INHX +2.2%, INO +7.7%, NVAX +4.4%, SIGA -.5%, SVA +2.4%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: ACAD +14.7%, AGEN +17.8%, ALKS +8%, APT +5.7%, CERS +6%, ENZN +6.5%, EXEL +5.6%, IMMU +6%, JAZZ +5.6%, KVA +5.7%, MED +6.4%, OGXI +5.1%, SNTS +11.5%, SOMX +21.2%, TRMS +10.6%, VICL +5.6%
Losers: CLDX -4.9%, DSCO -5.2%, GTXI -3.5%, MAXY -3.6%, NGSX -3.9%, QGLY -8.2%, RPRX -48.2%, SVNT -17.9%

Disclosure: long GERN, ONXX. Sold INO at 2.50 in the early a.m. pop; it closed around 2.25. The one day gain of 21.7% is over 54o0% annualized based on 250 mkt trading days (non-compounded).

SP500 Breaks 1000

The SP500 closed above 1000 for the first time this year (barely), so many are seeing that as a milestone.

Sold my INO this a.m. at 2.50 - was watching the action with a sell at 2.58 and it got to 2.55 then reversed! unreal, and of course I'm always paranoid when they avoid my orders by .02-.05, which is often. So we made 20% on a daytrade and INO proceeded to close around 2.25, down almost 10% from our sale.

Stem cells were mixed as usual, the daily wrap will follow later.

New Newsweek Article on Stem Cells

Here's a good new look at recent stem cell developments in a Newsweek article in the Aug. 3 issue, with a mention of Geron's spinal cord injury human trials starting this summer: Stem Cell Breakthroughs

Here's the first posted comment under the article online:
My paralyzed son Roman Reed inspired the law which paid for the initial research which led to Geron's human trials with embryonic stem cells. It took almost three years to pass the Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act of 1999, but it was citizen action all the way. If we want cures sooner, research has to be funded. Don C. Reed,www.stemcellbattles.com

[Disclosure: I'm still long GERN, in my IRA]

Mkts Flat, Stem Cells Down Friday 7.31

Friday 7.31.09: Dow +17@9,171..NAS -5.8@1,978.5..SP +.73@987.5

The markets were flat Friday without much happening. Stem cells were mostly down, 11 up, 20 down, 1 no change. INO rebounded 42% after falling by half Wednesday in a volatile week (still up 200% for the week. ANDS jumped 44%, and AEZS 22%.

Stem Cell Stocks (11 up, 20 down)
Big Winners: ASTM +4%, AFFX +5.5%, BEC +11.2%, OSTE +4.6%
Losers: ARIA -17.2%, GERN -7.7%

Swine Flu Stocks
AVII -3%, BCRX -1.8%, DVAX +2.2%, GILD +1.3%, INHX +4.6%, INO +42.2%, NVAX -4%, SIGA -1.6%, SVA +.9%

Other Biotech
Big Winners: ABAX +22.6%, AEZS +22% (5x vol), ANDS +44.4%, BMRN +10.8%, KVA +11.1%
Losers: ACAD -9.6%, ADLR -5.8%, AGEN -8%, ALKS -5.1%, CRME -4.3%, DSCO -5.9%, ELRN -15.2%, EXEL -9.3%, GENZ -7.8%, IMMU -13.2%, IRIS -7.8%, JAZZ -6.1%, MNOV -4.8%, NGSX -9.2%, OXGN -5.7%, PDLI -5.9%, SNTS -6.3%, SOMX -12.4%, TRIB -6.2%

Disclosure: long GERN, INO, ONXX. Added INO at 2.01 after its dip.