OT: The market rally this week is a total surprise. I had an SDS (SPY bear ETF) call spread ($55/60) on that was $5 in the money on Friday. It is now virtually worthless at this morning's levels. Fortunately, I liquidated Monday at only $1 gain (80%). Better than nothing.

Does anyone think this week will rally even more?
MF4

Jerry,
Thanks for the encouragement and I agree. The last time I was in this situation was about ten years ago. Sure, there are plenty that are fun, but being in love changes the picture. It's tough to get over those.

Maybe COR will shock the *hit out of me and actually do something that returns some capital to me? It's so discouraging to see another day go by and no good news on COR. I can remember Neuro saying that he'd be concerned if nothing happened by the end of April (or was it February)? It's amazing that some people still believe in COR.

As one who has turned pessimistic (in general), I can say that being optimistic is a much better way to be (in life).
MF4

Jerry,
You are the eternal optimist. My girlfriend and I have broken up and I'm feeling it today. :( Therefore, I think COR goes belly up this week.
MF4

Corwatcher,
Have patience. Cor will eventually go for .01

Since they are officially not developing the pipeline further that leaves them to negotiate as a fulltime endeavor.
MF4

when the stocks hits .01, I will buy a boatload.
MF4

Meix,
If Stoll/Varney set up anything, you can bet they'll forget to sign it or something to botch the process. These guys make the Keystone Kops look like methodical geniousii.
MF4

mlkr,
COR is run by a pathetic bunch of industry outsiders that have zero business savvy and not a creative bone amongst them all.
MF4

so Cortex needs to generate some competition. That's the key - getting two or more parties bidding for the same asset.


GFP,
Why don't they try to get Merck to bid against Schering-Plough?
MF4

Jerry,
Kind of looks like COR is a scam, doesn't it?
MF4

GFP,
I'm sorry, but I have to voice this observation I've been keeping inside for a while now.

It seems that everytime some of us doubters get the upperhand and our derision of management's ineptness proves true, you pose some optimistic question to Neuro about CORs deal prospects. Then he responds and you two have a conversation that makes it appear that COR management is legit and can actually accomplish something positive.

For years I assumed the sincerity of this. Now that I feel completely duped by Cortex, it occurs to me that you two may have a different agenda? I'm not accusing, just noticing a peculiar trend. I like you guys, please don't take offense.

The reality is that Cortex has accomplished nothing to advance the share price in the ten plus years I have owned it. And they certainly don't appear to be capable of juggling multiple irons simultaneaously, as another poster observed recently.
MF4

That said, the fat lady hasn't finished singing yet, and Stoll/Varney may still have one more trick up their sleeves.


GFP, that's not a trick, it's a T-bone from Ralph's.

Haysaw,
It seems to me that Cortex announced that they proven the artifact was the result of slide preparation. If they had proven that point effectively (after a year of prep, and paid consultants and a 6' box of data), they should have argued it vehemently, called the newspapers and media and made sure everyone was watching the FDA so they couldn't do BP's underhanded bidding, which is exactly what happened because COR management chose the "diplomatic" path. Ha. Alot of good that did them.
MF4

We're ripe for a planned terrorist event. 4th of July. 9/11 happened in the summer of Bush's first term. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

If a terrorist event is about to happen, you can bet it will be another inside job. Did anyone notice tons of put options being bought this week? That's the sign to look for. Or deep in the money calls being sold. I wish I had a trading link to see the trades coming from Goldman Sachs.

There's no way the crooks that manipulate world events aren't getting richer too. They're too greedy to let the easy money slip away.

I hope my conspracy theories are off the mark. Have a good weekend all.
MF4

Is it possible for a group of citizens to sue the FDA for intentionally destroying a small company with a miracle drug? Just curious.
MF4

enemem,
It's official. My girlfriend and I have parted ways for good. As I've said COR will go out of business, and/or the stock will become worthless when this event happens.

The question is, will it happen over the weekend? Or wait until I'm really missing her bad? - To kick me when I'm down.
MF4

GFP,
In the many years I have followed COR, they are always in "talks", etc. Yet, nothing ever gets done. Oh except one thing - PIPES, and subsequently, the shareholder.
MF4

GFP,
Cortex has one remaining lifeline. MV needs to find a rich benefactor and convince him/her of the value of COR's pipeline. Get a cash infusion and take the company private. Decide on an indication, fund a large phase 3 trial, get positive results and FDA approval.

Then, with revenue projections of $#B per year, go public. Waiting for the same tired management and approach to finally succeed in SA is a pipedream.
MF4

GFP,
Remember that Oscar Goldman was the head of the Six Million Dollar Man project. Sometimes these spooks love to sneak stuff like that in under the TV watching public's noses. :)
MF4

PIPE for Salaries. Why not keep it going until social security kicks in?
MF4

Jerry,
Don't hold your breath. I predict they do another dilutive PIPE before any deal is done.

Cortex is the eternal heartbreaker. How many carrots have turned rotten over the years? Just pathetic.

Note to newbies: Don't bother.
MF4

Alertmeipp,
Don't you have any better axes to grind than to complain about OT posts? Without them, the only chatter here would be speculation about deals that will never be made.
MF4

Bigworld,
I am planning to not have internet acces from about July 8 to August 1st. I would like to be somewhat insulated from a drastic market collapse or dollar collapse in that time frame, but also not miss out on any upside.

I'm still long some SPY, ESLR and PALM that I'm not too comfortable holding unwatched. Can you suggest a gameplan that might work for me considering I won't trade for most of July, but don't want to come back and find I missed a huge rally?
Thanks,
MF4

OT - to Bigworld.
Thanks for the suggestion. I value your perspective. I have been playing GLD using call option spreads. A $5 move from 100-105 can be had for about $1 September expiration. Unfortunately, I put this position on during the last runup. My Junes already expired. And my Septembers are very under water.

But, I've been considering putting on a 95-100 call spread with December expiration. I agree that the dollar will go down, but I'm not so sure Gold will go up anymore. It seems that people are realizing that the only thing you can do with gold is look at it or weigh your papers down with it.

Good luck to you,
MF4

Jerry,
With all due respect, that's MV's job. Keep the investors hopeful. I spoke with Stoll when they were awaiting the FDA letter. I was encouraged too.

I visited COR headquarters in Irvine many years ago while on vacation. I was impressed with the facility then also.

What have I gotten for my faith? .25 a share. Bah-humbug!
MF4

iggs,
A question: Were you physically at the SHM? If so, what were your impressions?

I didn't notice the stroke data. I was nodding off at one point. That may have been it.

I also used to think BP wanted ampakines. But, with all of the POC, the SP has declined so pathetically, and no deal has been done since Stoll came on board, that I have concluded that COR has no cred. It makes me suspicious of everything this company does. I've come to the conclusion that it's a mafia scam.

I'd love to be proven wrong, but the share price sits at .26 and no deals or industry buzz ever manifests. I will remain skeptical until these conditions change.
MF4

iggs,
You crack me up. You've been bashing management for months. Then after your criticism of management is confirmed as justified at the SHM, you're actually all positive now?

The same pathetic management is still in charge. Why are you ignoring this now?

Maybe some were correct when they said you were a paid basher. I can't think of another reason you would switch sides at this point. Explanation?
MF4

COR BUY ALERT!!!
I just sold 10% of my COR. This is usually a buy signal. I couldn't get a buyer at .262, so I dropped my ask to .26 and eventually it sold.

My thinking is, if COR falls to .01 on the pinks, I can use the funds I just took and buy 25 times the shares I just sold for a pop.
MF4

Ombow,
Try contacting Maria Shriver, as her father has/had AZ.
MF4

If COR was my company, or I was a key member of it, I would personally (secretly, if need be) take the stuff and observe the effect (after passing safety trials). I would check into a motel room with maria and have her stand by with a stomach pump if things went south.

After one dose, I'd be able to guess on what conditions would be altered by the stuff. If it was strong and had good potential, I'd push forward with it, if not I'd scrap it and move on. In one week, I could save the company 3 years of poorly designed trials and squandered capital.

Why the hell wouldn't someone at Cortex try the stuff (off the record)?
MF4

Varney and Stoll have shown no savvy in steering the business angle of this company. They don't deserve any more time or patience. The way they knuckled under to the FDA was pathetic and not revealing the low SA trial enrollment until the very end of the ASM, as an aside, that probably slipped out proves what a bunch of weasels they are.
MF4

Neuro,
A thought occured to me. What if some company wanted to buy everything for a reasonable price (say $2.50 a share), but COR management has been unwilling to sell the whole enchilada on the cheap, instead thinking the IP is worth $20 or more if they can just get POC. So, maybe they have been dodging deals all this time, hoping to get enough funding from some orphan, like RD, in order to advance HI or something else on their own and eventually turn COR into a real contender?

Perhap the dejection noted by Varney was the realization that SA trials aren't going well as far as enrollment goes, and maybe management is throwing in the towel to some degree and now they are willing to sell everything because SA was the hail Mary, and it has hit the turf?

If you were upper management and thought you had the next Amgen, and all you needed was some luck, but for 4 years all you got was every rotten break in the book, at some point, you just have to look in the mirror and be honest with yourselves. Perhaps the offer might be considered great (from current levels), but way below our pipe dreams of 2005. Back then, $3/share would have been reprehensible to me. Today, I'd be thrilled with it.

So, maybe that's what is going on? If so, I say "bring it on". These guys have had their chance and couldn't catch or make a break for themselves. I hope they will get us shareholders a good deal and get the IP into financially sound hands that can finally get ampakines to market.

That would be a nice ending to this long and disappointing story.
MF4

I will buy more COR if it gets into the single digits. If they trade on the pink sheets before SA results, SP could pop up to $2 or $3 in anticipation of decent SA results. Pink sheets are easy to manipulate.

As expected, the SHM indicated more slippage and no imminent deal. I guess they earned their salary for another year of slogging around with no real juice. Oi vey!
MF4

Finally some meat to digest. 3 BPs, 4 smaller companies interested in licensincing and M & A talks with 4 companies. Sounds like real interest.

Now THERE's a reason for the SP to rise.

New theory: The recent accumulator is a BP, or shadow arm of one that is planning to make an offer. They want to own a decent stake before the offer price is announced and the SP goes up.

NOTE: Be sure you have all the wireless radio shack mics supplied with fresh batteries before the next meeting.
MF4

What if they announced that one of the Organon molecules was about to enter phase 3 testing? That would pop the SP a bit, huh?

Maybe the accumulator knows that's coming? Hard to believe all the recent accumulation was for a P & D for the SHM. If that was the case, volume should be much higher today, n'est pas?
MF4

C'mon somebody, give me a reason to get excited about ampakines and COR!

I'm waiting...................

Mark's about to talk, once they get the radio shack microphone battery changed.
MF4

Maria's talking. Can anybody hack into the homeland security website and comandeer a feed from a secret room-cam?

Davidal,
What are we drinking today while the crooks get another year of easy money?

Is there a link to a room-cam?

Hahahaha. I'd be willing to pay Justin timberlake to chair this meeting next time.

Jeez! Roger sounds like his pre-Botzinger complex is running out of gas.
MF4