Background is in Investor Relations and portfolio management focused on energy stocks. Always looking for opportunities to learn & share more.
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Did you confuse me with others? I don't support this obsession with financials, to wit, from my previous post:
"This is not yet a viable, functioning, income-producing company, to be judged by the same metrics all companies are judged---via published financials, whether they be audited or not."
I think that's pretty clear. And you couldn't be more right---this is a penny stock. Frankly I'll be happy if we get back to the penny-and-a-half share price
You're absolutely correct in saying that audited financials are critical for any company. When I look at USEI I see a development stage company seeking to pull together a business plan capable of utilizing available assets. At this point I don't know what assets we have or can lay claim to nor do I have an understanding of available cash or credit facilities.
What I suspect is that there is no company cash whatsoever and Tony may be funding his activities thus far, hoping to be reimbursed at a later date. If I'm right about there being little to no meaningful cash flow, then there can be no meaningful financials. This is not yet a viable, functioning, income-producing company, to be judged by the same metrics all companies are judged---via published financials, whether they be audited or not.
All in my opinion only.
Something isn't making sense to me. Shares have been under a bit of pressure of late but it's hardly a matter of everyone selling out, fearing the sky is falling. It wasn't many weeks ago that I picked up 500 additional shares at $3.04.I'll do it again if there's an opportunity to add in the $3.50-$3.65 range.
The following may be of help:
http://www.investor-edge.com/4432-INFI-02Jul2014.pdf
Neuralstem Inc.'s stock finished the Tuesday's session 4.98% lower at $4.01. A total of 1.37 million shares were traded, which was above its three months average volume of 1.12 million shares. The stock moved between $3.99 and $4.25 during the session. Over the last one month and the previous three months, Neuralstem Inc.'s shares have fallen by 6.74% and 5.42%, respectively. However, the company's stock has advanced 37.80% since the beginning of this year. The company's shares are trading above their 50-day and 200-day moving averages. Further, the stock's 50-day moving average of $3.99 is greater than its 200-day moving average of $3.30. Neuralstem Inc.'s stock has an RSI of 49.23.
Several months ago I, too, spoke to the importance of financials. I now see it as irrelevant inasmuch as it appears we have extremely limited income. Financials express the return on investment (ROI) due a corporate entity. Without sales, ROI must be denominated differently. Thus, when Tony explains what he is doing and where he goes to accomplish same, he is keeping us in the loop. It's to be assumed that as soon as his activities are monetizable (convertible to cash or its equivalent), he'll lay things out before us. This is what a CEO is supposed to do.
Scrutinizing financials belonging to a company without meaningful income is comparable to looking at last December's Christmas tree and wondering how many presents there'll be the next morning. So why keep bringing this up? Our business's mature development won't happen overnight because it can't.
Regarding State residency: I haven't seen anywhere that items relative to the cannabis industry must be manufactured, cooked, baked or otherwise produced by licensed State residents. The proviso appears to relate to licensing requirements aimed at bringing sellers into compliance. The seller becomes responsible for stated levels of cannabis content. I see this as an attempt to limit criminal activity and I strongly approve of it. There is nothing at all in this that might cast a pall onto Tony. He's been as upfront as could be regarding the avoidance of anything that could possibly be linked to criminal behavior.
The above may not stifle those bent upon venting their anger for whatever their reasons at the expense of all shareholders, but it does express my opinions for whatever they may be worth to others.
I'm hopeful USEI will do well in the months ahead and I look forward to hearing of positive developments.
The following is sure to be of great interest to many as we await news of marijuana coming out of the closet officially in Washington on Tuesday. This is definitely an interesting and exciting time to observe dynamic social change in action:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/07/05/3273724/retail-marijuana-sales-will-begin.html
Lots of important questions are answered in the above.
Have you sent an email to Tony?
I'm convinced that we shareholders will be respected if and when we unite as a concerned group. After all, it's our dollars that represent today's shares. That being the case, we all do ourselves a disservice by delaying emailing him or, for that matter, doing nothing.
It takes but a moment to swing into constructive action!
No response yet but it is a holiday so it may take a few days. I'll fill the board in as things develop.
We're not really disagreeing. Instead, there are hurdles which will require recognition and then resolution. To wit:
Bringing the share price to a dollar might not seem formidable---until we realize that to bring it there calls for a near tripling from here. That won't be so simple unless truly impressive news were to be released.
And then there's the issue of shorts. There's typically a marked period of fragility immediately following a traded entity's move to a more estimable exchange. Traders will converge and bang hard on the company's near term future, taking advantage of market uncertainties common to companies focused on relaunching. Thus, BCLI might find itself the target of a short invasion determined to wreak havoc among longs, hoping to create momentum sufficient to create extremes more conducive to day trader activity.
My thinking is that BCLI shares should be well above the dollar minimum before relisting or risk finding the exchange inclusion facing disqualification.
I think you're correct in expecting shares to rise significantly from here. I added 50% more shares to my position earlier this week myself so I certainly believe in the company. I could see shares moving to between 70-80 cents for a virtual double. I think it would take something really concrete to force an aggressive move to greater upside, making a reverse unnecessary.
We all dislike reverses. I think it's fear more than anything else for a high percentage of reverses result in a death spiral. I personally think BCLI will survive a reverse handily because the company has demonstrated a genuine regard for human life--- its worth and dignity. Should there be a reverse, I'd hope for it to bring the share price to at least $1.75. If shares make it (near term) to the 75 cent range, I'd vote for a 1:3 reverse guaranteeing reasonable assurance of stability.
Based on moves the company has made lately, I expect there will be action such as we're discussing before Winter. I see no reason to put things off. The very point of vying for a higher level listing is to qualify for institutional investment. Typically this means shares must exceed $5. Obviously this spells a scarier reverse ratio, doesn't it?
Happy holiday to all!
PS: Just noticed your remark concerning 16% institutional ownership. Not knowing the nature of those institutions involved, there's not much to be said. However, it could be hedge funds or even Israeli government-backed agencies operating on a humanitarian basis. Ameritrade is showing 18% by the way. I can state safely that US mutual funds are not participating for they cannot. Charters routinely require a minimum of $5/share.
Jugs
USEI owns certain patents involving biodiesel formulations meeting performance standards well above government mandates. This information is readily available as per published US Patent Office documents. I've read the papers myself.
Tony bought these rights himself and they have been assigned to USEI.
The above reflects my opinion.
We're in complete agreement.
There's a confusing point though:
Many investors figure that any shares they buy puts money into the company coffers. Bashers often promote this silliness in an effort to manipulate longs by convincing them that the company's primary goal is that of diluting at our expense. I was merely pointing out that the company itself is not a direct beneficiary when I buy 2nd hand shares---unless I do so with prospectus in hand. I've not done so in this stock.
I'd hate for folks to think that HYSR is deliberately selling equity at out expense---frivolously. That was the message I was trying to convey. If I was sloppy in expressing myself, then I apologize.
And you are one very sharp and well informed investor! I love it.
Thank you.
Yes---you're right, that Tony did address this---but without any reference to a timeline.
We all want and need a timeline!
So what's the difference now?
Simple! If all us forward the email, he will have to take notice, I'm convinced. Remember: If we longs leave, there's not much left.
We have at least some clout as owners-in-common. This is part of the balance available in a publicly traded entity.
For the record, I just sent the email in my post---exactly as posted here at IHUB.
I hope others will follow suit too, or at least speak out---not in anger but in a rational and mature manner---asking for what is ours. I expect him to respond.
If we are ignored, I will probably sell my position.
Reading through messages from last night till nearing the close of today's trading, I'm seeing lots of disappointment. Some point to pics of edibles, others put Tony down as a guy doing nothing but attending meetings. And there are the endless discussions regarding bashers.
The one thing I believe we MUST have is a "state of the union" address from our CEO. We want to know what is going on and need an up-to-date picture of the newly revised business model & plan. This much is entirely reasonable by any measure.
We can probably get this done if we ALL send him an email telling him openly that even the longs are weakening in their resolve to continue trusting that USEI will make something of itself.
I'm going to send my email to Tony in a moment. It will read:
Tony,
For more than four months now I've been a loyal and committed shareholder in our company. Priorities have changed as you've made known to us, due to legal issues. This is understandable.
However, we deserve to know what the revised business plan is as it stands today. Nobody expects the world to be delivered on a silver platter but won't you at least give us a feel for what is going on? And what your near term goals are? Mid-term" Longer range goals?
Do this for your shareholders and I think much of the restlessness will abate quickly.
Thank you!
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Feel free to use part or all of the above email as you see fit.
May we all profit from taking action such as this!
Beautifully stated!
Day-to-day fluctuations are to be expected in all phases and stages of life. Why, then, do we expect otherwise with USEI or any stock, for that matter? And how can we crash so irreverently on Tony who must be doing as much as he can---else he wouldn't be hard at it and you wouldn't have taken a long position?
It's not an easy thing to place your money down and accept being out of control, yet this is precisely how it works. And whether Tony brings our shares up to a dime or a nickel or even a penny or two, most of us will have been well served as we sit on a handsome profit.
Knowing this to be the likely scenario, I blot out all the naysayers for I trust my instincts and logic shared on this board with others. And I look forward to any excitement forthcoming.
All in my opinion only, as always.
Good fortune to all here!
Thanks, Red---I appreciate your open thinking.
After posting yesterday and then continuing this morning, I unloaded 3,000 units of NTI: about half at $27.09 and the balance at $27.45. I immediately put about 2/3 of the cash into CVRR. Thus I was lucky, getting NTI at the high and CVRR in the middle of its move higher.
CVRR goes ex-distribution a week before NTI. I'm hoping I can work that to advantage as NTI might climb the week before scheduled to go ex.
Either way, I'll be getting those juicy distributions from one or the other in addition to units I already hold and won't put at risk---in both stocks.
You're very kind, by the way. So let me not omit this:
I've always been an investor, not the busy trader. As I get older I find joy in having been in a few rodeos and finding street smarts working to my advantage. It bothers me waiting for quarterly payouts. After all, the cash is dead money. So I'm trying to work this out. But don't think for an instant that I'm unafraid. I am very concerned that things won't work out correctly because I failed to pull things together as necessary. Time will tell.
Good luck to you and other folks here dedicated to helping one another!
Beautifully honest, I'm sure others here will appreciate your candor. And Citrati is a jewel, no question about it.
My add-on price is in the $3.50 range, maybe going as high as $3.75. I began @ $1.20 and now am at 3,000 shares with a CB of $1.56. Profits, if any---allowing that anything might happen---are destined to become part of a charitable trust so I'm with you 100% and more on the side of ethics and human values.
Again, I admire you for your candor and openness.
You and I share the same perspective. We are both retired, by the way. I think you may have misunderstood something. I'd said:
Lots of fun for what would otherwise be a boring stock to hold.
I'll stand by that. For someone NOT retired and perhaps younger, NTI is hardly the most exciting stock around. But the income prospects are great enough for me to eagerly anticipate each quarter, contributing to my support & probably yours, too.
For some of us, fun stocks twist and turn frequently, often frightening and sometimes disappointing. The very fact they can be utterly unpredictable makes them wonderful fantasies although not necessarily best friends.
NTI hasn't done much since the overdone drop immediately following its last going ex-dividend. Today, seeing units rise a dime above $27, it seemed the right time to let go of 1,500 units, pocket the $3.36 gain and await a buy-back point somewhere around $26.65 and maybe lower. This creates excitement when none would be otherwise available.
I'm delighted to own units. And I relish the steady-as-she-goes demeanor. Still, investing for a living requires generating some income. Since the middle of May, this stock has not generated income for me except when I sell higher and repurchase lower. And if I misjudge my reentry point, no harm done for I still hold enough thousands of units to support the family.
This has been one of my greatest holdings ever. I hope it is the same for you!
You're not correct when you say:
One day I can only hope and dream that edibles will be marked the Real McCoy. I'm very ashamed at Tony right now because he bashed his own family name in order to make money. What a disgrace
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Tony is not part of the McCoy family and that is not his name or family name.
I also don't understand how using your name amounts to bashing.
You said:
Those were real edibles. They may not have been infused edibles, But they were edibles.LOL People keep bashing tony on how he is not doing what he said he was going to do when in one of his PRs he quoted that it is still illegal in Washington till July. So, IMO, Tony has done what he can when he could. We will see this month if this is pump and dump tony or if he really has something worth hanging on to. IMO Pinkies are for making money! most pinkies will not make it period! All pinkies are a risk just like all stocks are risks!
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You are so wise to see this! Some of us have been really hard on Tony, expecting miracles because we want them. You're providing a glimpse into the bigger picture and we're the beneficiaries.
There's a bit of confusion here when someone says we should buy shares for the sake of the company. The shares we buy may be part of a secondary (offering) based on exploring the prospectus and made available by either the company itself or a brokerage hired to handle the process. More likely, however, our shares did not come directly from the company. This means that they have been around, sold by earlier shareholders long before coming to us.
If we were to go out tomorrow and purchase 100,000 shares, not a single penny would make it back to the company. Market makers would be amassing tranches of shares and then filling orders as they come in. These shares are not part of a direct purchase.
This article was just delivered to my laptop via Seeking Alpha (SA). This is must-reading for anyone considering the launch of a position in Lonestar Resources Ltd.
Value Digger is an extraordinary researcher. He meticulously studies a vast number of companies and digs underneath results of those companies and also their competitors. Following this he comes up with any of several key metrics by which to evaluate advantages one might expect of the companies under scrutiny.
He invariably follows up with a simple expectational view, trying to provide us with a feel for what might be developing in the relative near to mid-term were we to start a position.
Disclosure: As this board's moderator I want all to know I hold 15,000 shares of LNREF with a cost basis of forty cents (rounded). Today's rise on somewhat stronger volume added $780. My overall gain thus far amounts to 17.49%.
While I never suggest others buy a particular stock, I will state that I'm hoping to pick up 5,000 shares of LNREF tomorrow. I'm prepared to pay up to $0.50 or $2,500 for the 5,000 shares.
Following, then, is the article focusing on Lonestar. You'll see the author examines other o & g companies in the same or similar areas of prospectivity:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/2293595-lonestar-high-conviction-long-idea-remains-irrationally-undervalued-compared-to-its-peers
I wish everybody the very best of good fortune investing!
Absolutely! We see these wide fluctuations all the time. Easy money for sue.
Something a lot of investors don't process is that NTI is not going to make any major announcements likely to have us expecting fireworks leading to pots of gold at every rainbow. Steady as she goes with lots of predictability, that's what we get. If you're a trader, there's frequent opportunities to gild the coffers.
Lots of fun for what would otherwise be a boring stock to hold.
Best of good fortune to us all!
Agreed.
It was those results that brought me to revise my buy point from the earlier $3.04. And I concur on your point about grand larceny. Funny!
Reminds me of a guy I once met who'd steal a kiss from every attractive woman he could approach. I jeered him for his act of petty larceny but he said it was grand. lol
This comes to us from OTC Daily. My thoughts follow the paste immediately below:
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Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (OTC: BCLI) continued to hold up right around the 52 week high for the stock at just above $0.37 closing just below that level in trading ahead of Tuesdays open. Intra-day the stock almost went through another 52 week high as stated on our latest penny stocks picks release last week. If Brainstorm keeps trading like this and more importantly holds above the support line in the low $0.30s then shares could go much higher.
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There's a good case for expecting BCLI to break out into higher territory. After all, we're now at a virtual double from the 18 cents we occupied the beginning of January of this year. At the same time, volume is anemic and doesn't make much sense yet.
Things are heating up. The clinical trials are moving along with excitement building along the way. The company has moved conspicuously to take care of loose ends that could seriously damage our prospects for profitability. And while I wouldn't say there have been leaks from within, I sense there have been and continue to be sparks lighting the way to exciting developments.
The publication quoted above (towards the top)does not impress me particularly. I'm always wondering who gets compensated for what and I tend to trust very few when it comes to making investment decisions. In fact, when I'm pulling things together as I'm doing right now, I have to check the mirror to be sure I am me. How else can I trust someone named "Jugs?"
Investment decisions are very highly personal and personalized. Please be sure yours receive their proper level of respect. I've shared my ideas herein, the decisions must be yours.
Best of good fortune to us all!
You say this is a steal. That may not be the case as I managed to add 500 shares at $3.04 on May 12th. That's pretty recent.
CUR moves as cyclically as any other stock and these severe downtrends are to be expected.....and enjoyed as the case may be.
If shares should drop towards the mid-$3 range, maybe $3.50 to $3.65, then I'd think that a bargain with virtually no serious risk unless there's a major snafu in the clinical arena.
Meanwhile, I wish us all the best of good fortune.
My ideas only, nothing more.
Volume is above the 2 million point with just over two hours of trading left on the day. 10-day average vol.is 1.2 million shares.
Value is currently set at plus 13.22%, not bad for a penny stock preparing to take off from the depths of anonymity. I expect more.
If I had no position and were considering starting one, I'd be doing so right now as these larger scale volume changes, coupled with unusual share price increases, usually portend a strong move or two or more to the upside. And it looks to this happy camper like these moves are here to stay and not part of a market manipulation here today and gone tomorrow.
Make your own decisions in every situation. Don't let yourself be swayed by others and that includes me. We all make mistakes and I've made more than my share! Just be sure that you're comfortable with the decisions you make because you're the one who must live with them.
Best of good fortune to all of us!
Concerned that no volume showed after an hour of the day's trading, I looked more deeply and found the following news. Notice that the offering price is discounted less than 5%. That tells me clearly what expectations are---from within the management hierarchy itself. It is notable as well that certain individuals within the management group have seen fir to pick up some of the offering themselves.
The share price will likely dip on the news as all dilutive news frightens investors. I'd be adding if I had available cash as I've been a big believer for some time now. This cash infusion is targeted as the means to further develop spectacularly successful forays into the Permian Basin and next is the highly prospective Bone Spring play in New Mexico.
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Caza Oil & Gas, Inc.: Placing to Raise Approximately US$10.0 Million
7:46a ET July 1, 2014 (Market Wire) Print
Caza Oil & Gas, Inc. ("Caza" or the "Company") (TSX: CAZ)(AIM: CAZA) is pleased to announce that it has conditionally raised gross proceeds of approximately US$10.0 million (approximately GBP 5.9 million and C$10.7 million) (the "Placing") through the placing of 32,679,739 common shares (the "Placing Shares") at a price of GBP 0.18 (approximately C$0.33) per share (the "Placing Price").
The Placing Price represents a discount of approximately 4.6 per cent. to the closing market price of GBP 0.18875 on June 30, 2014, being the last practicable dealing day prior to the publication of this announcement. The Placing Shares will represent approximately 13.8 per cent. of the Company's share capital, as enlarged by the Placing Shares.
The Placing Shares, which will rank pari passu in all respects with the Company's outstanding common shares, have been conditionally placed by Cenkos Securities plc subject to admission of the Placing Shares to trading on AIM ("Admission") and the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX"). Application has been made to London Stock Exchange plc for Admission, which is expected to occur at 8.00 am (London, GMT) on July 4, 2014.
Following admission, the Company will have 236,355,884 common shares outstanding. The figure of 236,355,884 common shares may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or change their interest in, the Company under the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.
Reasons for the Placing and Use of Proceeds
Caza's primary focus is in the Permian Basin of West Texas and Southeast New Mexico, the most prolific oil and gas basin in North America. During the past year, management has focused efforts on building a core asset base in the prolific Bone Spring play in Southeast New Mexico, which is one of the most active and predictable oil plays in the US. The Company considers its assets here to represent the most significant opportunity to deliver material production, revenue growth and demonstrable shareholder returns. The Company now has over 300 drilling locations plus 23 (6 net) producing wells in the Bone Spring play and utilises recent advances in horizontal drilling and dynamic completion technologies to unlock the significant resources within its asset base and the region.
The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Placing of approximately US$9.35 million (approximately GBP 5.5 million and C$10.0 million) to embark on an accelerated and expanded drilling program in the Bone Spring play and for its general corporate purposes. Subject to due diligence, management has also identified asset acquisitions in Lea and Eddy Counties, New Mexico, each of which have potential drilling locations in the Bone Spring play. The Company will also look to participate in annual Federal Lease Sales and in monthly State of New Mexico Lease Sales in order to acquire new acreage, which, if successful, should allow the Company to achieve further growth in its reserves and production.
Director Shareholding
James Markgraf, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, has subscribed for a total of 16,339 Placing Shares pursuant to the Placing at GBP 0.18 per Placing Share and his resultant total shareholding in the Company is 16,339 common shares, representing approximately 0.01 per cent. of the Company's share capital, as enlarged by the Placing Shares. In addition, Mr. Markgraf holds 300 shares in Caza Petroleum, Inc. ("CPI Shares"), a subsidiary of the Company, that may be exchanged under the Share Exchange Agreement for 840,000 common shares in the Company (an exchange ratio of 2,800 Shares for each CPI share). The CPI Shares have no voting rights concerning the Company until such time as they are exchanged. A more detailed description of the Share Exchange Agreement can be found in the Company's latest Annual Information Form on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or the Company website at www.cazapetro.com.
In addition, David McManus, Non-Executive Director of the Company, has subscribed for a total of 555,556 Placing Shares pursuant to the Placing at GBP 0.18 per Placing Share and his resultant total shareholding in the Company is 555,556 common shares, representing approximately 0.24 per cent. of the Company's share capital, as enlarged by the Placing Shares.
W. Michael Ford, Chief Executive Officer commented:
"Our successes over the past year in the Bone Spring play in Southeast New Mexico have provided the Company with steady growth in reserve, production and asset values. This has led to a renewed and stronger share price for Caza, which has allowed us to successfully effect this equity raise.
The proceeds from this Placing will allow us to accelerate our drilling program and acquire additional leases and acreage in the Bone Spring play, which should continue our growth profiles in all categories for the foreseeable future. Most importantly, this anticipated growth should result in asset values that would more than compensate for any perceived dilution to current share value.
We are now focused on one play in one basin and look forward to building on our successes in the Bone Spring play and continuing to create meaningful value for our shareholders."
American Green or ERBB as we call it is here, nothing bad has happened. There's a name change in the works. The cusip number is changing as well, explaining why there's so much confusion.
As soon as shares come through under the new name, all should return to normal.
Good luck to us, hopefully with a name that properly identifies us as the only real MJ company out there.
All in my opinion only.
Speaking for myself alone, I don't know the scope of options available to Tony. Nor am I privy to financial resources available to him at this critical juncture. Based on what I've seen thus far, it appears to me that vape pens may become a viable business venture but I'm not convinced it remains a highest priority item for him.
What I do know is that he's far ahead of me in terms of understanding the lay of the land in MJ country. I know my place as an investor. I won't be second-thinking him by demonstrating antagonism. My plan is to give him needed time to do his thing. Rome wasn't built in three months and USEI is hardly at the end of its line. I invested in mid-February. I'm not a quitter.
All in my opinion only.
Looks like I must be the village idiot around here with 5 million shares and a serious deficit to boot! But I'm not about to be swayed for I believe this is going to work, given more time. Businesses aren't created overnight and this situation is not going to prove otherwise, no matter how impatient we become.
Long and strong and determined to remain so despite all the naysayers.
Let's hear it for USEI!!!
Exactly! I doubt anyone viewed Tony's patronage as the precursor to opening a store! My understanding has it that the weekend was the ideal environment in which to meet with, introduce oneself to, and associate with others also on the prowl, hoping to make substantive inroads into the MJ business in Washington State. Even if Tony managed only to get his face out there, the fact remains that he's been around the block enough times over the years to at least be respected for durability.
There's so much pressure being brought to bear on investors daring to move independently without yielding to public opinion. It's like experiencing static on the radio when you just want to hear the music.
Holding strong as ever on my end!
You've performed a fine service for those new to this company and some not-so-new, I'm sure.
Gcasa:
Thanks for bringing this to us---great job! Great service to our USEI message board! You consistently do your best to bring value.
You're more than welcome, TetonBill.
If you do decide to add to your position, would you mind sharing your results from time to time---as in profit/loss? I think it could be very helpful for others contemplating a position.
One of the most difficult issues active traders face is the possibility that gains enjoyed by the guy down the block might be all the life there is and why bother building a position now?
Obviously I'm seeing plenty of opportunity, else I'd not have increased my position by 50% yesterday---certainly not after having built a very nice profit record over three months. But I'll bet you that many will figure the gains have already been taken by others and that's that. In my case I reviewed things carefully, scrutinized my own results over a three month period and then realized that in good conscience I couldn't ignore signs of approaching stardom within the company.
Assuming you enjoy a positive experience here, I think investors reading of your experience and mine will come away richer for having an opportunity to consider what might have happened, had they invested as have we. And if you and I remain convinced of future potentials at that point, imagine the impact on others!
Something to think about, certainly. Meanwhile, I wish you only the best no what you decide.
Here goes:
Seeking Alpha (SA) is another business oriented site I find offering great value--lots of deep thinkers with not a lot of egoistic junk littering the field of focus. There's an atmosphere of genuine respect and encouragement. That said, here's an item from SA on BCLI:
BrainStorm Tackles Neurodegenerative Diseases With Novel Cell Therapy
Jason Napodano, CFA • Thu, Jun. 12 • 21 Comments
•BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (BCLI) is a biotechnology company developing adult stem cell therapies for a range of neurodegenerative diseases.
•The company has a proprietary process called NurOwn™ that harvests and propagates autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) and then induces their differentiation into neurotrophic factor (NTF) secreting cells.
•Brainstorm recently initiated a multi-center, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial Phase 2 clinical trial in the U.S. for ALS.
•While limited, we are intrigued by the clinical data seen thus far. We believe the shares are worth at least $0.50, which is a handsome 67% return from today.
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It should be noted that Jason, the author, is part of Zacks of Zacks Advisory Service and it may well be the best source of analytics anywhere. Much of it is available without cost.
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Another entry from SA, released just three days ago:
Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc.: A Small Biotech With Big Plans And Huge Potential
JMY Investments • Tue, Jun. 24 • 40 Comments
•Stem cell therapies are finally entering human trials, and initial results are validating the science and providing hints of strong efficacy.
•StemCells, Inc. was an obvious investment opportunity, based on the four Cs of biotech investing. Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics, based on the same set of criteria, will follow suit.
•With a recent capital raise, Brainstorm is poised to deliver results from its Phase II ALS trial, which will drive appreciation in stock value.
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Still another piece dating back somewhat earlier demonstrates the unusually positive character of BCLI as viewed by analysts.
Brainstorm's Breakthrough ALS Clinical Data Shows The Promise In Stem Cell Therapy
Mar. 28, 2013 9:14 AM ET | 6 comments | About: BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (BCLI), Includes: ACTC, BTX, CUR, MKGAY, PSTI, STEM, TEVA, UTHR
Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (OTCQB:BCLI) is an Israeli biotech company developing a stem cell-based treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive chronic neurological disease that attacks nerve cells responsible for controlling skeletal muscles. With only one FDA-approved drug [Sanofi Aventis' (SNY) Rilutek], which offers few benefits for patients, ALS patients are in dire need for new therapies.
Brainstorm's treatment is based on autologous (patient's own cells) transplantation of adult bone marrow-derived mesanchimal stem cells that are differentiated using the company's proprietary technology, NurOwnâ„¢, into cells that secrete neurotrophic factors.
BCLI recently reported final results from the first stage of its Phase I/IIa clinical study that evaluated the company's ALS treatment in 12 patients. The study demonstrated that the stem cells transplantation resulted in "a significantly slower decline in overall clinical and respiratory function, as measured by the ALS Functional Rating Score (ALSFRS-R) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) score respectively, in the six patients that received an intrathecal injection of the cells in the six months following treatment, as compared to the three months preceding treatment". The study also tested, and initially confirmed, the safety of the treatment protocol.
BCLI's stock, which has dropped about 4% from the beginning of the year, responded to the good clinical news with a 6% increase, with trading volumes up 5 fold compared to the 3 months average. The modest stock movement following the company's announcement could be explained by the shortage of cash at hand - around $4m, which might mean that a financing round is right around the corner.
The results presented by Brainstorm are very encouraging, both for the company and the patients, but are preliminary, and require further validation. In the second stage of the ALS study, which began in February this year, 12 additional ALS patients will be administered with Brainstorm's stem cells in increasing doses. The first cohort of four patients is expected to complete treatment by the end of April. BCLI is currently awaiting FDA approval to expand its ALS clinical development to the U.S., which is planned to commence during 2013. The NurOwn technology for treatment of ALS has been granted orphan-drug designation by the FDA.
Brainstorm's major competitor in the ALS cell therapy field is Neuralstem (CUR), whose treatment is based on human spinal cord-derived neural stem cells (NSI-566). Neuralstem completed a Phase I/IIa study in ALS patients in February 2013 and also reported of promising results in several patients, in which the disease was stabilized for nearly one year. Neuralstem is expected to commence an ALS Phase II trial during 2013.
BCLI is one of several Israeli companies that are advancing R&D programs with stem cell-based therapeutics (table 1). Interestingly, Israeli companies take up a surprising share among companies that develop stem cell-based therapies, especially when considering the small size of this country. This could be attributed to the strong presence of stem cells research in Israeli academic institutes, support from the government for stem cell research and lack of ethical barriers for the use of embryonic stem cells, as experienced by U.S. researchers during the Bush Administration. In the second part of this article we will briefly review several Israeli stem cell companies.
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There is more to this article but rather than burden folks with over-information, you can go to Seeking Alpha and type in the ticker symbol and pull up a lot of great info. This link will get you to SA and the above piece as well: http://seekingalpha.com/article/1306501-brainstorms-breakthrough-als-clinical-data-shows-the-promise-in-stem-cell-therapy
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From this morning's PR---notice the upbeat stance being portrayed by both participating companies:
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (OTCQB: BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies for neurodegenerative diseases, and Octane Biotech Inc., a Canadian firm that focuses on clinical systems for cell and tissue therapy, announced today that they have reached an important milestone in their technology collaboration, successfully constructing an Alpha prototype of a customized bioreactor for BrainStorm's NurOwn(TM) neurotrophic-factor secreting mesenchymal stem cells. The proprietary bioreactor under development will provide BrainStorm with large-scale manufacturing capabilities, enabling it to achieve economies of scale for its autologous stem cell product.
Octane and BrainStorm have successfully developed a sophisticated Alpha prototype of the NurOwn(TM) Bioreactor, utilizing a customized disposable cartridge that is dedicated to the intricacies of BrainStorm's NurOwn(TM) process. Operating within the Cocoon(TM) clinical delivery platform pioneered by Octane, the Alpha prototype automates the entire NurOwn(TM) process for unmatched process control and production economy. Based on this first working prototype, BrainStorm and Octane are quickly advancing to the next stage of system qualifications in anticipation of adopting all the benefits of cell production automation as quickly as possible for full clinical use.
BrainStorm's Chief Executive Officer Tony Fiorino, MD, PhD, said that "Improving in the scale and efficiency of our manufacturing process is an important focus area for the company, and the achievement of this milestone in our collaboration with Octane is an important indicator of our commitment to and progress in advancing NurOwn(TM) manufacturing. I look forward to entering the next phase of the collaboration with Octane."
"The positive results we have achieved so far provide the partnership team with confidence that the scale-up objectives of the program are achievable through the use of the Octane technology," further commented Dr. Timothy Smith, CEO of Octane Biotech. "Our strong working relationship with BrainStorm across the many areas of biology, engineering and quality control has been highly productive. This type of close collaboration with clear clinical, technical and commercial goals is critical to success and is how Octane interacts with all our global partners."
"We are excited about this significant milestone for the Octane-BrainStorm team as well as for the autologous stem cell industry in general," commented Chaim Lebovits, President of BrainStorm. "We look forward to continued progress from this outstanding technology collaboration and are grateful to CIIRDF for their funding of this important project."
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Following is a bit of news that came out recently establishing that the first cohort involved in an ALS clinical trial was enrolledd. More typically, enrollments are likely to be considerably smaller. I believe Neuralstem's first clinical was limited to just 12 but I'm not certain of this. Still, 48 is huge when we remember that we're no dealing with lab mice. These are human beings with terrible afflictions. The entire world is watching in the hopes that there will be relief from this little Israeli company that "could." From June 6th:
First Patient Enrolled in BrainStorm's Phase II ALS Trial at Massachusetts General Hospital
8:40a ET June 6, 2014 (Market Wire) Print
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics (OTCQB: BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies for neurodegenerative diseases, announced today that the first patient was enrolled in its Phase II ALS trial at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston.
BrainStorm's Phase II trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled multi-center study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transplantation of Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells Secreting Neurotrophic Factors ("MSC-NTF" or NurOwn(TM)) in 48 ALS patients. The trial is also being conducted at the University of Massachusetts Memorial (UMass) Hospital in Worcester, MA and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
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One more item: You'll recall I said the number of cohorts is expanding. I've seen this via factual data but haven't turned it up just yet. However, I just ran across this which I'm presenting in part. Note that it refers to just twelve patients scheduled, quite a difference. It dates back by several months, predating an item included herein in which it's revealed that there are 48 cohorts scheduled for clinical treatment:
Brainstorm (BCLI.OB), an Israeli company.
Each has its own prototype patient whose ALS has been beaten back. Neuralstem has Harada, and Brainstorm has Rabbi Refael Shmulevitz. The two companies' technologies are similar, with Neuralstem using an embryonic stem cell line, and Brainstorm using a system it calls NurOwn, where adult stem cells are taken from a patient's own bone marrow and used to create nerve cells.
In terms of the clinical race, Brainstorm has begun a phase IIa trial authorized by Israel's health ministry, though it is unclear where that trial stands with the FDA or if Israeli's health ministry has any leverage with its sister bureaucracy in the US. In any case, the first patient in that trial was treated at the beginning of last month. Brainstorm's trial will involve only 12 patie[color=red][/color]nts, all of whom have already been recruited, though at such a small sample it is more like a phase I. Then again, numbers of patients with ALS are extremely limited, especially in Israel where the trial is being conducted.
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This was a fine exercise for me as I think it is always good to meet analytical challenges head on. By pooling related stories and clinical data results, we get to become part of the learning process ourselves, something I greatly appreciate.
I sincerely hope some of our board members are enriched by this study. There is so very much we can learn from each other!
PS: We investors are always wondering where other find their picks---especially the major gainers. Well, I don't know how I turned up BCLI but I do know that my Neuralstem (CUR) shares were doing so well that I knew I had to explore the possibility of other unusually promising stocks. I remember running into BCLI and not trusting it because shares were so cheap. But then I remembered that my first CUR shares cost just $1.20 on 1/3/13. They closed today @ $4.17. I'm convinced they will rise above $5 before long.
I first bought BCLI on March 12, 2014 at 28.8 cents per share. Today's close: 37.2 cents. My revised cost basis is now 30 cents after adding 10,000 shares to the earlier 20,000.
I appreciate that. And I especially like that some of us are seeing fit to add to positions. There's a lot of information coming out and under separate heading I'll try to bring a few items to a light that may be of value.
Stay tuned!
BCLI has embarked on a new path of late:
1. The Company extinguished an overhang of warrants at a cost of $600,000, more or less.
2. It was announced that an uplisting to a major exchange was/is in the works. I'm assuming application has already been made.
3. Ongoing clinicals including two sites in Boston plus the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota appear to be pointing to unheard of efficacy.
4. The number of cohorts is being expanded.
5. When news of the uplisting surfaced, I determined that the only way this could occur would be if the company arranged for a reverse split. I'm thinking something along the lines of 1:10 meaning one new share to be awarded for ten old ones. The numbers of old shares to fit any useful equation must allow for an absolute minimum of a resultant share price in the neighborhood of $5 or be locked out of consideration by institutional traders. Thus a one-for-ten at 40 cents gets us nowhere. Or does it?
Today's news makes it amply clear that the company believes its novel approach will indeed be operating on a massive manufacturing scale. That tells me there's got to be conclusive evidence to support the collaboration with the Canadian firm disclosed today. There are massive costs involved in designing approaches towards delivery systems---there's all sorts of programming needs, labs meeting sterility requirements, measuring devices that will create and monitor dosage requirements. And let's not forget the workforce, newly trained in highly specialized techniques specific to the approach at hand. Then, there's marketing, sales staffing, med journal presentations, interviews and, of course---proved clinical efficacies that are fully documented and presented in the usual medical journals.
I'm convinced that no company would dare even dream of embarking on such program development without assurances galore. There's got to be something here that we don't know about, something so big and so convincing that the company would be willing and eager to commit to a path the likes of which had never even considered.
My prediction is that shares will very soon be rising to the 70 cent range. Ten of these shares will get us safely above the $5 threshold. And this should explain the reason for the extinguishment of all those warrants.
Whereas I'd formerly held 20,000 shares, I added 10,000 more on today's news for I'm now convinced there's far more going on behind the scenes than we've been privy to, thus far. It's not often we get to participate in what may well become an outstanding humanitarian triumph. I very much want to be part of this opportunity.
These are my conclusions alone. I may be misjudging things and certainly don't want anybody to be damaged by my considerations. So please decide for yourselves where you stand with BCLI.
I wish all of us the best of good fortune!
As I recall, Tony made it known that USEI will be a sponsor at the upcoming MJ event. Booths run 10'x10' and come equipped with electricity, wifi and counter/table space with two chairs. Sponsors are expected to bring samples of their salable items.
I think it would be ludicrous for our CEO to represent our jointly held company without having products to offer a community bent upon exploring items displayed at this "industrial" equivalent. Thus, I'm convinced that he will be positioned to not only display items but also take orders from dispensary owners. Additionally, I'm thinking he'll be exploring opportunities to hook up with others open to consolidating forces in an effort to eliminate needless duplication of service fees.
My take away, then, is that our leader has committed to a booth with salable goods in hand. There will be only 25 such sponsors. Further, I'm convinced Tony is fully confident that a mere few days from now we will have concrete evidence of broadening opportunities along with a number of options spelling that bright future we all want.
It's not a major step to fast-forward and see the likelihood of a crazily exciting PR announcing immanent contract signings. I think it's gonna happen this way and there might just be some dancing in the aisles.
These are my ideas only. I hope for the sake of us all that these points come to fruition.
You did a fabulous job! You went liquid on NTI while at its high, gave up 77 cents only to find ample opportunities to reclaim NTI at a nearly $3 lower reentry. Meanwhile, you made the freed up cash work in double time by outperforming in each of three plays. That's the sort of market activity that glues me to the edge of my seat every day.
Truth be told, yesterday I added when NTI presented opportunities at barely above $26. Ditto in the case of CVRR. Earlier, I moved on PSEC at $9.45, now 11% higher and paying monthly while we wait for NTI.
This strategy is ideal with an MLP due to the boring nature of such tax anomalies inasmuch as they tend to move day-to-day for the sake of day traders and not as a result of typical stock behavior. lol We often see NTI rising or falling a half dollar. This translates into an opportunity to make $2K on a single day's fluctuation if you've got $100K available. That may seem like a risky play for a mere 2% but we're not talking about something annualized---just a play designed to be held for a day or two.
NTI is lower right now than it should be, imo, in sympathy with government's permitting the sale of slightly refined US crude. Thus, NTI can and will move for inorganic reasons and these sometimes afford us novel opportunity to rebuild positions.
My $25 number may not happen, explaining the attractiveness of yesterday's $26. But it's easy to sell off other picks when NTI should drop to irresistible price points. Meanwhile, NTI has been gathering interest of late as evidenced by its fairly constant price usually above $28. WRN's image has become meaningful as a stabilizing entity. Also, most of us appear to be expecting the next Q's distribution in the $1 range if not higher. Thus, $26 to $26.50 now strikes me as a reasonable support point.
Trading sure can be stimulating!
Thanks for posting the link. Like you, I was concerned that there might be a dilutive move afoot that was forming behind the scenes. Instead, this is a reference to a registration that was subsequently pulled and trashed. Apparently the Company was thinking of launching a secondary to raise money, possibly to cover short and/or near-term costs of responding to the number of lawsuits mounting.
Happily, it is not going to happen any time soon. And the lawsuits were all officially dropped, yesterday I believe the announcement was issued.
Good discussion, glad you spoke up.
Good stuff you posted. VLO was interesting yesterday, falling so steeply. I maintain a screen daily covering eleven refiners. VLO was clearly the dog of the bunch. Both CVRR and NTI fell into my happy-range and I took advantage of the opportunity to add in both.
I, too, appreciate the hi-yield opportunity. I see virtually no downside risk thanks to the higher than typical yield. Even a 10% cut would leave CVRR attractive enough to risk ownership.
Nice to see you here, Pete. MLP's don't ordinarily house drama sufficient to maintain interest in a discussion board and CVRR is hardly out of the ordinary except for the Icahn influence. NTI is a like example. Too bad there's no board embracing both stocks and perhaps a few others of similar design. I don't know how it would be received but a board devoted to high yield plays in the o & g arena might stand a decent chance of garnering interest.