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A few days old but still holds good info for those that have not read it.
The First US Based Marijuana ETF Celebrates 30 Day Success and a New NYSE Ticker
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180209005122/en/Based-Marijuana-ETF-Celebrates-30-Day-Success
It`s frustrating but the fundamentals will win over and this stock will run up quickly the longer it is held down .... With naked short interest and algo`s holding it back it makes it seem that the stock will never get ahead of the selling, but consistant good news after good news will squash the shorting.
AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(AVEO)
https://nakedshortreport.com/company/AVEO?index=PLUG
A fare take on $AVEO by this author:
AVEO Pharmaceuticals: TiNivo Results Impress, TIVO-3 Next
Feb. 11, 2018 6:39 AM ET
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4145436-aveo-pharmaceuticals-tinivo-results-impress-tivominus-3-next
Nice to see those in the know acquiring so many shares!
Buys from 02/02/18 thru 02/05/18
Insider Trades Summary as filed in the Forms 3 and 4 filings
https://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/aveo/ownership-summary
Aveo Pharmaceuticals: Bright Prospects And Near-Term Catalysts In Renal Cell Carcinoma
Https://seekingalpha.com/article/4143287-aveo-pharmaceuticals-bright-prospects-near-term-catalysts-renal-cell-carcinoma
Windstream Acquires MassComm for CLEC, SD-WAN, Managed Services
Windstream acquires MassComm, a CLEC & Inc. 5000 company that offers voice, data, risk management, SD-WAN, managed security & network monitoring services.
by Joe Panettieri • Jan 1, 2018
Windstream Communications is acquiring MASS Communications (MassComm), a CLEC that offers voice, data, risk management, SD-WAN, managed security and network monitoring services, according to an FCC filing. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The deal is a potential positive sign for Windstream, which suffered layoffs and a surprise dividend cut in 2017 that rocked shareholder confidence in the company. Windstream spent much of last year trying to accelerate synergies from the EarthLink merger of 2016, and the Broadview tuck-in deal of April 2017. But the moves hit plenty of turbulence, and Windstream was one of the four worst performing tech stocks of 2017, according to Motley Fool.
Looking ahead, much of Windstream’s strategy depends on accelerate MSP and SD-WAN services. MassComm, based in New York, could fit in nicely with WindStream’s strategy, ChannelE2E believes.
Indeed, MassComm had a 97 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2013 to 2016, and annual revenues surged to $25.6 million, according to the annual Inc. 5000 report. MassComm, founded in 2007, also had roughly 42 employees at the close of 2016, Inc.’s survey revealed. We haven’t seen more recent financial figures for MassComm’s business, nor do we know if the company is profitable.
MassComm’s managed services portfolio includes voice and data, SD-WAN, security and ALBIE — a proactive monitoring service for data circuits. According to the company, “ALBIE’s watchful eyes constantly track the mission critical interfaces of your data network 24/7/365. ALBIE notifies you when any sign of trouble is detected, while our Network Operation Center Engineers take corrective action with your carriers to resolve the issue.”
Potential Windstream and MassComm Synergies
Windstream and MassComm run in somewhat similar circles.
According to the FCC filing, Windstream offers advanced network communications and technology solutions for consumers, businesses, enterprise organizations, and wholesale customers across the United States. Windstream’s subsidiaries provide voice and data services, MPLS networking, and cloud communications and computing services to businesses, non-profits, and government agencies, both in areas in which it is the incumbent local exchange carrier (“ILEC”) and outside of its ILEC service areas with its operations roughly balanced between its ILEC areas and all other areas. To carriers and network operators, Windstream provides special access services, Ethernet and Wave transport, fiber-to-the-tower connections, and wholesale voice and data services.
Windstream’s customer footprint include a local and long-haul fiber network spanning approximately 150,000 route miles, which provides services over fixed wireless infrastructure in 40 markets. As an ILEC, the company also delivers phone, broadband, Internet security services, and online backup to approximately 1.4 million residential customers primarily located in rural areas. In four markets, Windstream has launched an IP video entertainment platform called “Kinetic,” which is currently available to approximately 192,000 households, the FCC filing says.
Additional MassComm Managed Services
Meanwhile, MassComm works with leading hardware and software technology vendors and managed service providers to design, implement, and supports custom networks to deliver a suite of voice (local, long distance, POTS, voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”)), data (dedicated internet, MPLS, Ethernet), risk management and security solutions to midsized global enterprise customers in the financial, legal, healthcare, technology, education, and government sectors, the FCC filing says. Moreover, MassComm is authorized to provide CLEC and/or interexchange service in California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas, the filing adds.
Windstream expects to complete the all-cash buyout of MassComm in the second quarter of 2018.
https://www.channele2e.com/news/windstream-acquires-masscomm-for-clec-sd-wan-managed-services/
Due to more demand for ETF than it has supply is good.............
Net asset value of underlying holdings at closing, $30.61USD against actual closing price of $30.42USD equals oversold...............
Watch for a fast turnaround once the markets stabilize......
ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF MJX
http://portfolios.morningstar.com/fund/holdings?t=ARCX:MJX®ion=usa&culture=en-US&cur=
Windstream acquires MassComm, enhances engineering, network design
by Sean Buckley | Dec 28, 2017 8:57am
Windstream has dipped into its pocket book during the holiday season, quietly announcing a deal to acquire New York-based CLEC MassComm.
MassComm provides telecommunications and connectivity management, consultation and development solutions for voice, data, and networking technologies to midsized global enterprise customers.
The New York-based CLEC is authorized to provide competitive local exchange service and/or interexchange service in California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
RELATED: Windstream’s SD-WAN, UCaaS pivot gains momentum
After meeting customary closing conditions, including receipt of necessary federal and state regulatory approvals, the acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2018. Financial terms were not disclosed.
According to an FCC filing (PDF), the proposed acquisition of MassComm is an all-cash transaction in which Windstream will purchase all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of MassComm. MassComm will exist as a wholly owned subsidiary of Windstream after the transaction closes.
Windstream said that by purchasing MassComm it will gain a broader portfolio of services it can deliver over its growing fiber-based network.
“The combination of MassComm’s innovative services and customer base with Windstream’s larger CLEC operations and fiber network will enable the combined company to increase its competitiveness by expanding its portfolio of services, generating efficiencies that benefit customers, and serving more customers over its own facilities where it can,” Windstream said in the FCC filing.
The service provider told the FCC that the acquisition of MassComm will not harm competition because unlike Windstream, the CLEC exclusively rents facilities from other carriers to deliver services to business customers.
“Because MassComm does not own any last-mile facilities, there is no concern that there will be a reduction in competition based on overlapping last-mile facilities. Instead, this transaction will enhance competition in the market for medium-sized business,” Windstream said. “By combining MassComm’s customer base with Windstream’s presence and fiber network, the combined company will have the opportunity to serve more of MassComm’s current customers on Windstream’s own last-mile facilities.”
Windstream added that the acquisition of MassComm will not change the way the company’s current customers are served.
“The transaction itself is not expected to adversely affect the rates or other terms of service that customers currently experience, nor is it expected to have any adverse effect on the already high quality of service that MassComm’s customers currently receive,” Windstream said.
What could also be compelling for MassComm’s existing customers is that Windstream would be able to extend its broader on-net portfolio of network access options to support SD-WAN and other managed services. While MassComm also provides services like private line and fiber-based Ethernet via other providers’ rented lines, Windstream could potentially gain greater control over the customer experience by migrating these customers over to its own network facilities.
The acquisition of MassComm may not be nearly as large as EarthLink or Broadview, but for Windstream it is significant in that it will help the provider further expand its managed services customer base.
https://www.fiercetelecom.com/telecom/windstream-acquires-masscomm-enhances-engineering-network-design
Please note, MJX is changing its ticker symbol to MJ on February 9, 2018.
The ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF: Cannabis Stock Analysis
By Eric Whiteside
FEB 02, 2018
After the rousing success of the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences ETF (CSE:HMMJ), it is only natural for competition to arise. The first contestant to capture market share from HMMJ is the ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF (NYSEArca:MJX).
Please note, MJX is changing its ticker symbol to MJ on February 9, 2018.
The ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, generally correspond to the total return performance of the Prime Alternative Harvest Index.
The Index
The Index is the creation of Prime Indexes. Prime Index has developed six indexes. Some veterans of the ETF industry are the brains behind the indexes, but no names or bios are provided. That is all the information available before looking at the index’s webpage.
Details, who needs details. You are not going to get much from the Index’s webpage.
The index has 30 components. There is a list of the 30 components including their weighting in the index.
Calculation of the index is the responsibility of Solactive. Solactive is a German index provider focusing on tailor-made and has been in business for more than a decade.
There are entirely no details regarding how components are chosen for the index which contains an unusual mixture of components. No criteria are given that expand on the slim information in the fund's description.
Skepticism sets in.
About the Fund
The fund is the creation of ETF Managers Group. ETFMG manages 15 ETFs with more than $2 billion assets under management. They are a small but legitimate organization.
In ETFMG’s own words, “The Fund tracks the Prime Alternative Harvest Index, an index created to provide investors with a product that enables them to take advantage of both event-driven news and long-term trends in the cannabis industry as well as the industries likely to be influenced by the medicinal and recreational cannabis legalization initiatives taking place in many locations globally. The index is designed to measure the performance of companies that will benefit from these initiatives, collectively referred to as companies in the cannabis ecosystem.”
Admirable sounding statement but it all comes down to what stocks are in the fund.
Alternative Harvest’s holdings as of February 2, 2018:
CRONOS GROUP INC. 7.38%
AURORA CANNABIS INC 6.20%
CANOPY GROWTH CORP 6.10%
CANNTRUST HOLDINGS INC. 5.14%
MEDRELEAF CORP 4.84%
CANNIMED THERAPEUTICS INC 4.65%
GW PHARMACEUTICALS PLC 4.51%
EMERALD HEALTH THERAPEUTICS 3.85%
INSYS THERAPEUTICS INC 3.44%
SUPREME CANNABIS COMPANY 3.26%
HUABAO INTL HLDG 3.15%
TURNING PT BRANDS INC 3.00%
ARENA PHARMACEUTICALS INC 2.89%
GIMA TT SPA 2.82%
22ND CENTURY GROUP INC 2.82%
ORGANIGRAM HOLDINGS INC 2.78%
SCANDINAVIAN TOBACCO 2.67%
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO 2.47%
CARA THERAPEUTICS INC 2.46%
SWEDISH MATCH 2.46%
JAPAN TOBACCO INC 2.41%
IMPERIAL BRANDS PLC 2.37%
SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTL INC 2.36%
PHILIP MORRIS INTL INC 2.34%
ALTRIA GROUP INC 2.32%
CORBUS PHARMACEUTICALS 2.23%
VECTOR GROUP LTD 2.18%
SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO CO 2.12%
UNIVERSAL CORP VA 2.10%
ISODIOL INTERNATIONAL INC 1.89%
CASH 0.78%
Some of the companies are obviously part of the cannabis ecosystem. Others are a stretch.
Distribution of Assets
The fund is primarily North American oriented with net asset value (NAV) distribution of 77.61 percent between Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The fund has avoided investing in Canadian stocks such as Aphria (TSX:APH) that have investment interests in U.S. companies that handle the cannabis plant.
Almost none of that total is in Mexico. The rest of NAV is spread between The United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, and Japan. Virtually all the foreign assets are investments in tobacco companies.
“Tobacco companies?”
Yes, tobacco companies.
Asset Distribution by Industry
The pharmaceutical industry receives 44.18 percent of NAV. However, it appears that it is the Canadian cannabis companies which are classified as pharmaceutical. When you think of pharmaceutical, you picture the manufacturers and marketers of pharmaceutical drugs, not cannabis companies. Maybe the financial reporting standards do not have a better category.
Biotechnology receives 10.18 percent of NAV. So, which companies are pharmaceutical, and which are biotechnology. There needs to be more specific information provided by the fund.
The strange allocation of 27.39 percent of assets to tobacco stocks is baffling. What do tobacco stocks have to do with cannabis?
Virtually nothing. Other than a tiny amount of investments in a peripheral company or two.
The closest the industry has come to acknowledging the cannabis industry is the infamous April Fool’s joke by Altria (NYSE:MO). In 2016, Altria set up a fake website promoting their newest product Marlboro M. There was a funny image of a green Marlboro pack with a marijuana leaf.
The joke was Altria’s way of making fun of the periodic news stories about big tobacco being poised to take over the marijuana industry. An event that might happen someday but not soon.
The tobacco companies have enough trouble with regulators now. The cannabis industry is subject to extensive regulation by a fractured group of local regulators. Most licenses require frequent renewal and can only be transferred with the regulators’ approval. Nobody wants to lose local control to the giant tobacco companies.
Companies like Altria want a more stable and controllable business environment. They will sit back and wait for the hard work of establishing the cannabis industry to be complete. They will wait for the frothy to nonexistent price to earnings ratios to fall closer to Altria’s 13.5. Then it will be time to pounce if they are even interested,
When it comes to investing in the ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF, you need to ask yourself if you want a pure alternative harvest play for growth or if you want to invest in tobacco.
Final Thoughts
“TOBACCO?”
There are other new entrants into the cannabis ETF space we will discuss next week.
The MJX closed the day down 7.57 percent at $30.42
The author has no direct stake in the MJX, MO, or APH. The author may have an indirect stake in APH through ownership of shares in Horizons Marijuana Life Index ETF (TSX:HMMJ). The author does have an indirect stake in MO through ownership of shares in Vanguard S&P 500 Index Fund (VSPVX)
https://www.potnetwork.com/news/etfmg-alternative-harvest-etf-cannabis-stock-analysis
Added in here, now lets see how long it takes to reverse and fill the upper gap left above $36.
For those familiar with the change in ETF`s designation this was a known factor before the new ETF`s full release when it was discussed in a number of articles prior to the change.
If you read closely, the likelihood is truly small. It's just noise from the custodian, U.S Bancorp again.
Why then did they allow it first off and now want to withdraw again? My guess is to save face with the SEC and FEDS if need be, yet the custodian has violated no laws.
U.S. Bancorp isn't going to let some other institutional money manager take this away from them as it would only tarnish their image.
This is a new world of investing, bitcoin, blockchain, AI etc. so they either get on board or will be left behind.
I`m pretty sure Mr. Masucci will have no problem getting a new money manager if ever needed and most likely has a few lined up......
Nothing more than throwing more chum in the waters........Plus we may get a better price to add shares and a traders best friend, volatility !!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't think this is end of month window dressing so it's likely due to some leaks coming out from ongoing trials and it is undervalued for what company has in place already....
Here comes the jesters.............
Hottest ETF of the Year Risks Closure
By Rachel Evans and Annie Massa
January 31, 2018, 6:20 AM PST
U.S. Bancorp said to be reviewing whether to stick with MJX
Fund began trading as ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF last month
Investing in getting high could turn out to be the ultimate downer for buyers of a popular new exchange-traded fund.
The ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF, which has raised more than $350 million this year under the MJX ticker, faces an abrupt closure if the institution charged with holding its assets pulls the plug and a replacement isn’t found.
It’s a big “if’’ -- custodians tend to be in it for the long haul -- but U.S. Bancorp is actively reviewing whether it will remain the fund’s custodian after the ETF shifted strategies late last year and went from buying Latin American real estate companies to cannabis producers, a person familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified because the details are private.
That could prove a rude awakening for anyone who’s piled into the fund since then. Custodians are typically allowed to terminate their contract with an ETF issuer after a notice period of about 90 days, depending on their agreement. Minus a custodian -- a legal requirement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 -- a fund’s board would be pushed to liquidate the ETF, with shareholders splitting the proceeds.
“The securities have to be there and they have to be held by one of these entities,” said Kathleen Moriarty, who helped set up the first ETF in 1993 and is a partner at Chapman & Cutler LLP. “If no one proper would hold them then they would have to liquidate.” Moriarty is not working with either this fund or on any rival pot ETFs, and was not commenting specifically on MJX.
‘Back and forth’
Both ETF Managers Group, which runs the fund, and U.S. Bancorp declined to comment on whether a termination letter had been sent. Kim Mikrot, a spokeswoman for U.S. Bancorp, also declined to comment on whether the fund’s custody was under review.
“We had a number of back-and-forth letters that are covered by a confidentiality letter that I can’t talk about but we have been negotiating the services for all of our funds for the last 12 months,” ETFMG’s Chief Executive Officer Sam Masucci said last week. He added that the firm is “continuing to work with U.S. Bank” and attributed the “rumors” about custody issues to competitors.
ETFMG entered a five-year custody agreement with the lender in late December, filings show. Masucci was not available to comment on the U.S. Bancorp review when contacted through a spokeswoman on Tuesday.
A spokeswoman for NYSE Group Inc., which lists MJX on its NYSE Arca platform, declined to comment on the fund. ETFs on the exchange are required to confirm once a year that they comply with all regulations that apply to their fund. In the event of a so-called “notifiable event” -- anything major that could affect the fund’s operation -- the ETF has to notify the exchange and public. In addition, the exchange can audit funds it’s concerned about.
Risk, Reward
Being a custodian for a pot ETF is tricky for an institution like U.S. Bancorp to navigate. On the one hand, investor demand for the product is strong, and a custodian, which is often also the administrator and transfer agent, receives a fee for those services.
For example, U.S. Bancorp received $27,887 in the year ended Sept. 30 for serving as administrator for the previous incarnation of the ETF, with compensation based on the fund’s average daily assets and an annual minimum, documents show. At the time, the Latin American real estate ETF averaged just $3.5 million under management. MJX currently has about $410 million in total assets.
But, a marijuana fund’s holdings also pose a reputational -- and possibly legal -- risk, particularly with a potential federal crackdown on some states’ legalization efforts. MJX tracks a measure that “will not include any companies that are in violation of any United States federal or state laws,” documents show. Its current holdings include Canadian medical marijuana companies Canopy Growth Corp. and Aurora Cannabis Inc., which recently agreed to acquire CanniMed Therapeutics Inc., another holding.
At least three other issuers that contemplated starting pot ETFs ran into trouble lining up custodians, people familiar with the matters said. ETFMG bypassed those start-up issues by converting an existing fund. MJX will change its ticker to MJ from Feb. 9, according to a filing this week.
Green Knight
Of course, U.S. Bank could decide in favor of ETFMG. Or another custodian could step in. CIBC Mellon Trust has custody of the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF in Canada, where weed will become legal for recreational use later this year. In the U.S., Bank of New York Mellon is looking after the AdvisorShares Vice ETF. That fund can invest in companies with “current or future revenues from cannabis-related business,” although its holdings currently focus more on alcohol and tobacco.
Technically, ETFMG could even decide to be custodian for the fund itself, although that route is subject to strict rules and surprise audits that lawyers say make it almost untenable for most providers.
What’s clear is that there’s a lot of money at stake -- for investors, for the manager and for a custodian. All of the ETFMG-branded funds are currently administered by, and custodied with, U.S. Bank.
“A number of competitors of theirs both in the U.S. and outside have reached out to us to say, ‘Look, we’d like to talk to you about not just moving MJX but your entire business,’” said Masucci, indicating that a wannabe custodian would have to look at a package deal. “The benefit really accrues mostly to the operations, which then accrues to investors, if you use one service provider. If you’re not comfortable with that provider then you probably shouldn’t have any of your funds there.”
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-31/hottest-etf-of-the-year-risks-closure-as-custodian-balks-at-pot
If it can hold above $3.25 today then may have a good chance of a strong 2 day follow up move to the $4 area....
Looking forward to any PR`s for more insight...........
Cronos Group Inc
Emerald Health Therapeutics Inc
CannTrust Holdings Inc
The Supreme Cannabis Co Inc
These plays have been doing some good lifting too of late to compensate..........
So far higher lows and 2 chances to buy the dips. Sideline sitting getting thin and double top may of played out. Move back through upper gap and continued uptrend is what i'm looking for in here.
Century Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ:$CNTY)
Century Casinos, Inc. operates as a casino entertainment company worldwide. Founded in 1992, and run by CEO Erwin Haitzmann, the company provides employment to 1,614 people and has a market cap of USD $263.96M, putting it in the small-cap group.
CNTY’s stock is currently trading at -26% beneath its intrinsic value of $12.47, at the market price of $9.21, based on my discounted cash flow model. This mismatch indicates a chance to invest in CNTY at a discounted price. Moreover, CNTY’s PE ratio is currently around 15.6x compared to its hospitality peer level of 24.5x, meaning that relative to its comparable company group, we can purchase CNTY’s shares for cheaper. CNTY is also strong financially, as short-term assets amply cover upcoming and long-term liabilities. The stock’s debt-to equity ratio of 37% has over time, signifying CNTY’s capacity
Quite on this one as the stock has moved up!
Seems all casino plays are catching a nice run up................
Century Casinos started at buy with $13 stock price target at Stifel Nicolaus
Jan. 10, 2018 at 8:17 a.m. ET by Tomi Kilgore
Century Casinos initiated at Stifel Century Casinos initiated with a Buy at Stifel. Stifel analyst Steven Wieczynski started Century Casinos with a Buy rating and $13 price target. The analyst believes believe investors have largely ignored the near-term EBITDA growth opportunity created by the company's $60M development pipeline. He sees a "compelling investment opportunity" with modeled 12-month return potential in excess of 40%.
Yes!!!!! Added another 6000 today.
An excerpt from Seeking Alpha write up.
Tivozanib or FOTIVDA is currently being evaluated in the pivotal Phase 3 TIVO-3 trial. This is a randomized, controlled, multi-center, open-label study to compare tivozanib to sorafenib in subjects with refractory advanced RCC. AVEO owns the U.S. rights to this compound and top-line data from this study is due out in the second quarter. If all goes well, the compound could be approved in the United States sometime in 2019.
Tivozanib is also in trials against RCC in combination with Opdivo from Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY). Initial Phase 2 data will be presented at the Genitourinary Cancers Symposium during the second week of February.
This week the company presented early stage data from FOTIVDA with patients with advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma at the ASCO-GI Symposium in San Francisco.
Another compound 'Ficlatuzumab' is in mid-stage development. The compound just initiated a Phase 2 study in combination with cetuximab for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. This compound is being developed with and according to the company's website ficlatuzumab is a "potent hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) inhibitory antibody that binds to the HGF ligand with high affinity and specificity to inhibit HGF/c-Met biological activities."
Analyst Commentary & Balance Sheet:
The company has received little in the way of analyst commentary over the past six months. Piper Jaffray reiterated its Buy rating ($5 price target) just over four months ago. A month later Seaport Capital initiated the shares as a Buy ($7 price target). Last week B Riley FBR reiterated their Buy rating ($5 price target on AVEO. Its analyst provided this color in his assessment.
Today, January 16, we announce AVEO Pharmaceuticals (Buy, $5 PT) as an Out-the-Gate 2018 pick, due to our conviction in the success of lead asset Fotivda in the de-risked Phase III TIVO-3 trial in kidney cancer, with data expected in 2Q18. We see additional upside potential from the use of Fotivda with PD-1 inhibitor Opdivo in the Phase II TiNivo trial, with interim data expected at the ASCO GU conference on February 8–10, 2018. We thus reiterate our Buy rating on AVEO and our $5.00 price target.”
The company had just over $35 million in cash and marketable securities at the end of the third quarter. Management has guided that is enough cash runway to sustain the company into 2019.
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4139080-biotech-forum-daily-digest-january-21st
Seems we got a nice update today:
AVEO Oncology Announces Presentation of Data from Phase 1b/2 Study of Tivozanib in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
2:30 pm ET January 19, 2018 (BusinessWire)
AVEO Oncology (NASDAQ:AVEO) today announced the presentation of data from a multicenter, Phase 1b/2 study of FOTIVDA(R) (tivozanib), a potent, selective, long half-life inhibitor of all three vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, in patients with advanced, unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The data were presented during a poster session titled, "Phase 1b/2 study of tivozanib in patients with advanced inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma" (Abstract #364) at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium held January 18-20, 2018 in San Francisco. A copy of the presentation is available at www.aveooncology.com.
"Advanced HCC represents an area of high unmet need, with the limited number of currently available therapies often associated with increased levels of hepatotoxicity, further complicating effective treatment," said Michael Needle, MD, chief medical officer of AVEO. "Findings from this study suggest that low doses of tivozanib may yield comparable PFS and a favorable response rate to current first line standards of care for HCC patients, with a favorable safety profile which may enable therapeutic combinations with immunotherapy. We expect the clinical investigation of the combination of VEGF and checkpoint inhibition to be the next critical step forward for the treatment of HCC. We look forward to reporting preliminary Phase 2 data from the TiNivo combination trial of tivozanib and nivolumab in the lead indication of renal cell cancer at the upcoming ASCO GU conference, and to exploring options for pursuing similar combinations in HCC."
The study, designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tivozanib in advanced HCC, enrolled a total of 21 patients at three study sites. In the Phase 1b portion of the trial, which used a modified 3+3 dose escalation design, 8 patients were dosed with tivozanib starting at 1.0 mg daily for 21 days followed by 7 days off drug, with inter-patient escalation to 1.5 mg daily or de-escalation to 0.5 mg daily based on cumulative dose-limiting toxicities (DLT). Upon escalation to 1.5 mg, two patients had on target dose limiting toxicities (grade 3 mucositis and hypertension), which were likely due to the high potency of tivozanib, and came off study without completing the DLT period. Tivozanib at 1.0 mg daily was selected for the Phase 2 expansion portion and was well tolerated.
Of 19 evaluable patients, at a median follow up of 16.9 months, the study's primary endpoint of median progression-free survival (PFS) and PFS at week 24 were 5.5 months and 47%, respectively. A partial response (PR) was seen in 4/19 patients (21%) and stable disease (SD) in 8/19 patients (42%), for a disease control rate (DCR) of 63%. Overall survival (OS) at 6 and 12 months was 58% and 25%, respectively, with a median OS of 7.5 months. Notably, 4 patients have maintained SD for over two years. There were no significant changes in HBV or HCV viral load during study treatment. Tivozanib was generally well tolerated at 1.0 mg daily, with adverse events consistent with those observed in previous tivozanib trials.
The Phase 1b/2 study was one of several studies funded by a grant provided to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network from AVEO.
About Tivozanib (FOTIVDA(R))
Tivozanib (FOTIVDA(R)) is an oral, once-daily, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) discovered by Kyowa Hakko Kirin and approved for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma in the European Union plus Norway and Iceland. It is a potent, selective and long half-life inhibitor of all three VEGF receptors and is designed to optimize VEGF blockade while minimizing off-target toxicities, potentially resulting in improved efficacy and minimal dose modifications. Tivozanib has been investigated in several tumors types, including renal cell, colorectal and breast cancers.
About AVEO
AVEO Oncology (AVEO) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing a broad portfolio of targeted therapeutics for oncology and other areas of unmet medical need. The Company is focused on seeking to develop and commercialize its lead candidate tivozanib, a potent, selective, long half-life inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor 1, 2 and 3 receptors, in North America as a treatment for renal cell carcinoma and other cancers. AVEO is leveraging multiple partnerships aimed at developing and commercializing tivozanib in oncology indications outside of North America, and at progressing its pipeline of novel therapeutic candidates in cancer and cachexia (wasting syndrome). Tivozanib (FOTIVDA(R)) is approved by the European Commission for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the European Union plus Norway and Iceland. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.aveooncology.com.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180119005483/en/AVEO-Oncology-Announces-Presentation-Data-Phase-1b2
AVEO Pharma (AVEO) is reiterated as a Buy over at B. Riley FBR today. Its analyst notes the following for his enthusiasm for the shares here early in 2018.
Today, January 16, we announce AVEO Pharmaceuticals (Buy, $5 PT) as an Out-the-Gate 2018 pick, due to our conviction in the success of lead asset Fotivda in the de-risked Phase III TIVO-3 trial in kidney cancer, with data expected in 2Q18. We see additional upside potential from the use of Fotivda with PD-1 inhibitor Opdivo in the Phase II TiNivo trial, with interim data expected at the ASCO GU conference on February 8–10, 2018. We thus reiterate our Buy rating on AVEO and our $5.00 price target.”
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4137707-biotech-daily-digest-january-16th
Webcast Listen to webcast Jan 11, 2018 7:30 AM PT
36th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
http://ir.tgtherapeutics.com/events.cfm
I`ve taken my position off today as there are to many better trades than staying here for the divy and waiting on Management to right this ship. GLTA
Uniti Group at the Citi 2018 Global TMT West Conference
Wednesday, January 10, 2018 2:00 p.m. ET
Webcast Presentation
http://investor.uniti.com/phoenix.zhtml?p=irol-eventDetails&c=253961&eventID=5266936
My Top Small-Cap REIT For 2018
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4134014-top-small-cap-reit-2018
Vermont Senate approves recreational marijuana bill
Senate lawmakers shortly before 1:30 p.m. took a voice vote in favor of a bill approved by the House last week. It will allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and to grow two mature plants and four immature plants.
The vote make Vermont the first state in the county to authorize the recreational use of marijuana by an act of the Legislature as opposed to a ballot measure.
The current bill does not contain language to regulate the production and sale of marijuana, as has been done in Colorado and other states.
The Vermont Chiefs of Police Association is not for the bill.
Governor Phil Scott says he will sign the bill.
http://www.wcax.com/content/news/Vt-Senate-poised-to-approve-recreational-marijuana-468590883.html
Michigan, Vermont, New Jersey: The states trying to legalize marijuana in 2018
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-marijuana-legalization-push-20180110-story.html
I`m getting to the point where i`m confused at what`s going on at the helm of this ETF. Waiting once again to see if Management can clarify this time around on the conference call to see how much longer i`ll stay with this holding.
Some more insight:Who Stole My Alpha?
Jan. 10, 2018 5:59 AM ET
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4136496-stole-alpha?v=1515601359&comments=show
Thanks for those updates. Had to flip it today as I just bought a small starter position and it run 6% in the next hour. Looking for reentry...........
It needs to consolidate again in here IMO the ETF put in a short term top when it cleared $39.20 this morning.
Syndax Pharmaceuticals Initiated at Buy by B. Riley
9:35 am ET January 5, 2018 (Dow Jones) Print
Ratings actions from Benzinga: http://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNDX/ratings
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 05, 2018 09:35 ET (14:35 GMT)
DJ Syndax Pharmaceuticals Price Target Announced at $40.00/Share by B. Riley
Ratings actions from Benzinga: http://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNDX/ratings
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 05, 2018 09:35 ET (14:35 GMT)
'Federally legal' is the optimum wording in the ETF`s prospectus filings the SEC and the custodian bank can not argue. It would set a bad precedence if the ETF`s needed to close. This would exclude many up and coming proposed ETF`s from coming public, like bitcoin ect.....JMO
A new licensing deal has H.C. Wainwright very bullish on TG Therapeutics (TGTX) this morning. They reiterated their Buy rating and price target of $33 a share, more than triple the current trading level of the stock. Wainwright's analyst had this to say about the announced deal:
TG Announces Global License Agreement With Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine for Development of Novel BTK Inhibitors TG licenses novel BTK inhibitors that demonstrate superior selectivity to BTK in comparison to ibrutinib in the preclinical setting. On the morning of January 8, TG Therapeutics announced that it has entered into an exclusive global license agreement with Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, pursuant to which TG will obtain worldwide rights, excluding Asia but including Japan, for the development of Hengrui's BTK inhibitor program. The program includes TG-1701 and TG-1702, both of which are orally-available, covalently-bound BTK inhibitors.
http://www.analystratings.com/articles/tg-therapeutics-gets-a-buy-rating-from-h-c-wainwright/
259 Marijuana Stocks, Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF, And Jeff Sessions
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4135705-259-marijuana-stocks-horizons-marijuana-life-sciences-index-etf-jeff-sessions?li_source=LI&li_medium=liftigniter-widget
Did Jeff Sessions Just Increase the Odds Congress Will Make Marijuana Legal?
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/01/06/jeff-sessions-marijuana-legalization-congress-216251
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Vermont House votes to legalize marijuana
BY BRANDON CARTER - 01/04/18 06:44 PM EST
The Vermont House passed a bill Thursday night to legalize recreational possession of marijuana just hours after Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded a Department of Justice policy on legal marijuana.
Lawmakers voted 81-63 in favor of the bill, which would allow adults over the age of 21 to grow and possess small amounts of legal marijuana beginning in July. The State Senate still needs to approve the measure, but Vermont Governor Phil Scott (R) has signaled that he will sign the bill. He vetoed a similar measure last year.
House members rejected an effort led by Republicans to delay voting on the bill amid reports that Sessions would rescind a Justice Department policy on states legalizing marijuana, according to the Burlington Free Press.
The Marijuana Policy Project, the largest marijuana policy reform group in the U.S., praised the vote in a statement, calling it an “important step.”
“Vermont is poised to make history by becoming the first state to legalize marijuana cultivation and possession legislatively, rather than by ballot initiative,” Matt Simon, New England policy director for the group, said. “We applaud lawmakers for heeding the calls of their constituents and taking this important step toward treating marijuana more like alcohol.”
Vermont will become the ninth state to make recreational marijuana legal for adults upon the bill’s signing, and the first state to legalize marijuana via its state legislature.
The vote came hours after Sessions rescinded an Obama-era policy that ordered U.S. attorneys in states where marijuana has been legalized to deprioritize prosecution of marijuana-related cases.
Sessions was slammed by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle following the announcement.
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) took to the Senate floor to assert that Sessions had told him before his confirmation as attorney general that he didn’t plan to try to reverse his state’s policies legalizing marijuana.
"I would like to know from the attorney general what has changed,” Gardner said. “What has changed the president's mind? Why is Donald Trump thinking differently than what he promised the people of Colorado?”
Gardner, who leads the Senate GOP campaign arm, threatened to block all Justice Department nominees until Sessions “lives up to the commitment that he made to me.”
http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/367526-vermont-house-votes-to-legalize-marijuana
What's Behind This 24% Yield?
Jan. 5, 2018 6:03 PM ET
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4135650-behind-24-percent-yield
You know when a Motley Fool author writes a hit piece, your in the right stock.
5 Things You Should Know About the Hottest Marijuana ETF
ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF is quickly becoming the market's favorite way to invest in marijuana stocks in 2018, but a marijuana ETF may not be the best way to profit from pot.
Jordan Wathen (TMFValueMagnet) Jan 5, 2018 at 11:30AM
It's often said it takes 10 years to create an overnight success. For ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF (NYSEMKT: MJX), it took less than three months.The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.
https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/01/05/5-things-you-should-know-about-the-hottest-marijua.aspx