So What now ? American Companies and a watch on ... VXRT in 2022.

 

Market Talk

In light of my previous post that was surely no fun to post, I'm laying low on getting too bullish on the market going into 2022.  That does not mean that we should go into hiding waiting for war or all hell to break out.  There are a lot of good American based companies to watch with interesting stock possibilities.  If opportunity comes to buy some on a dip, maybe a some here, some there $ cost average way may work.  Also keeping some powder dry seems like a way to handle the market volatility that could go against any large position should the overall market suffer a downturn.

 

 Stock Talk
 

A few stocks to watch companies that come to mind are:

 

• Ford (F)
• Micron Technology (MU)
• US Steel (X)
• Vaxart (VXRT)

Below is a recent article by well known stock picker, Louis Navellier, on the status of an interesting and novel approach to vaccines with a tablet instead of a jab.  

Vaxart Deserves More Respect on Wall Street for Its Promising Covid-19 Vaccine by Louis Navellier and the InvestorPlace Research Staff

Tue, December 21, 2021, 10:37 AM

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/vaxart-deserves-more-respect-wall-153707355.html

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Is a new phase of Cold war with Russia and China coming? (Winds of war bode caution)

  

Market Talk

Looking into 2022 brings several happenings on the global front that may bring back tensions so large to disrupt the market. This is a view I don't enjoy posting on but the risks seem possible so here goes.

Russia, more specifically Putin, does not want Ukrainian independence without their "partnership".  Russia definitely does not want Ukraine to be part of NATO.   Free countries believe in self-determination.  The people of Ukraine mostly desire independence but there are some that want ties to Russia.  Putin uses the minority opinion as reason to claim Russia should "protect" the Russian leaning people and could claim justification that an attack is justified to claim full control of the Ukraine.

Now China is another concern.  China claims that Taiwan is part of China whereas Taiwan operates in practicality independent of China.  It seems the difference is that the mainland is communist, and Taiwan believes in independent democracy.  Each want their own form of government for the other.

Tensions both from Russia and China to claim the Ukraine and Taiwan respectively are growing.  Especially since the awkward withdrawal of American and NATO forces from Afghanistan.  The issue is that while America and NATO countries want to allow free will of the people in Ukraine and Taiwan, these countries are not part of NATO.  

In a nuclear age with recent advances in world destroying capabilities, tensions between "super- powers" should be tempered.

However, when one power starts to believe they have a leg up on the other it may lead to arrogance of actions.  I don't even want to think about how the latest hyper-sonic missiles coming from space fit into the equation.  However, the US defense department had better be on it. This is all a fool's game for humanity on earth.

So "what if" Russia takes the massed troops and invades Ukraine?

and "what if" mainland China decides to invade Taiwan?  Such actions are against the democratic principles of America.  But both Russia and China calculus is that if they have the power to do it, then they may believe threat of nuclear annihilation will keep the US out of the conflict.  They would think - they may be right.  

So, if the above starts happening what would be the best outcome over Nuclear war?

  Perhaps a COLD WAR?

what if it gets so cold that trade is cut off with an embargo of goods from China? ... and what would that mean for business, goods and services tied to a global economy?

 America would be forced back to producing many goods at home that were outsourced to China.  Back in the 80's and 90's- The politicians (like Biden) pushed that global economy agenda on us taking the manufacturing jobs with it. Transition to a more libertarian mode for America would take time.

Take a company like Apple.  Forget it - too dependent on China.  .

 But cell phones with exception of Motorola are not even made in America.  And Motorola was bought out by GOOGLE and then Google sold out to Lenovo, a Chinese company.

So -in the case of a new cold war, that could lead to severed ties including business - would be bad for the global economy and would disrupt good and services in a hard way. Going further, any stock that has to do with China would likely crash in a cold war scenario. But all in all, it would affect the entire market

In conclusion - 

This is about market watch- a cold war would be bad for the market but beats nuclear war.  And especially hard on the companies that are overly tied to China such as Apple - and could crash harder.

I hope steps will be made to let people live in peace and prosperity.  However, power struggles and differences in self-determination vs dominance of wills may come to a head sooner than many realize.

Winds of a cold war may bode market caution or awareness unless tensions and aggressions lessen.  But recently, tensions and aggressive actions are increasing not decreasing.

Another world war beyond a cold war is unfathomable for all of humanity.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Stocks on The Radar: watching Ford, US Steel and VXRT with a pill vaccine for T Cell immunity

  

Stock Talk

One stock that may be an accumulate or a buy some here and there in my view is Ford (F).   Currently, I favor a small position with a dollar cost average mindset for a possible long position. The following IBD report is a nice summary of Ford in the market.

https://www.investors.com/research/ford-stock-buy-now/?src=A00220

 

Two other stocks on the radar:

 US Steel (X) - a real infrastructure company, earnings and low P/E. But they disappointed on earnings due to slowed orders in high end steel for autos, probably from the chip shortage.  This could be seasonal and temporary, but in the meantime, watch it here and there, it may dip. Maybe it will fade and be a buy some opportunity. Wait and see if infrastructure spending kicks in with regards to steel.

Spec stock, Vaxart (VXRT) - has an oral vaccine pill in development to watch.  The pill may actually be better as far as longer lasting T Cell immunity.  The current FDA approved shots are proving to only provide short-term immunity. More testing continues on Vaxart's pill.  If successful, a pill offers compelling advantages.  Vaxart is a speculation, not too much stock, in my view.

 

(if any, just some, keeping powder dry)

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Growing cautious on the market and laying low on "spec stocks".

 

Market Talk
 

This is a volatile market indeed.  Things change fast.   One week, the Fed is talking inflation, the next week Covid fear takes over, then the fear is lifted and what do we have?  A herky-jerky market with stocks whipsawing all over.  While the market has bullish days, there are concerning macro events that are starting to play out, namely Russia massing troops on the Ukraine front. 

Stock Talk

One stock that may be an accumulate or a buy some here and there in my view is Ford (F).   Currently, I favor a small position with a dollar cost average mindset for a possible long position. The following IBD report is a nice summary of Ford in the market.

https://www.investors.com/research/ford-stock-buy-now/?src=A00220

 

I am laying low on spec stocks and holding more dry powder.  Why? because it seems like when ya start to think a spec stock is going to breakout, they pull something that goes counter to share value such as share dilution, or something happens that is not favorable to a spec position. 

 

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Herky- jerky market, watching Ford and ... (update - CleanSpark is off my Stock radar)

 

Market Talk
 

This is a volatile market indeed.  Things change fast.   One week, the Fed is talking inflation, the next week Covid fear takes over, then the fear is lifted and what do we have?  A herky-jerky market with stocks whipsawing all over.  While the market has bullish days, there are concerning macro events that are starting to play out, namely Russia massing troops on the Ukraine front. 

Stock Talk

Here are two stocks of interest on my watch list.  I am not making any recommendations in this herky-jerky market.

Ford (F):  F may be an accumulate or hold but I would not put the whole stake on it.  Currently, I favor a small position with a dollar cost average mindset for a possible long position. The following IBD report is a nice summary of Ford in the market.

https://www.investors.com/research/ford-stock-buy-now/?src=A00220

 

 

CleanSpark, Inc (CLSK):  losing my trust with regards to possible at- the-market (ATM) share dilution and over the top compensation.  They have been transparent on bit coin mining, but transparency seems lacking on the ATM.  At a time when shareholders want to see more on transparency of share dilution, they put out a PR that highlights more spending.  It raises a flag called caution to me.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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A strategy in a volatile and uncertain market - Ford , as example

 

Market Talk
 

The Fed Chairman, Mr. Powell, came out the other day saying the "transitory" inflation term the Fed invented was being "retired". Then followed up with a hawkish statement about trying to tackle inflation, further expounding on how our economy was so "robust". Yeah ok. funny huh?

Does the above sound like policy coming that will keep the bull market going?

Stock Talk

I suspect the volatility could make coming market calls very difficult.  The stimulus bill may make the bulls feel bolstered into buying stocks.  I am cautious.  However, the ev commitment by Ford (F) may gain traction in stock price as sales increase.  It's not a sure thing and it could float below and above $20 or even fade back to the teens.  But long term, it seems like Ford has a chance to outperform.  would I bet my whole stake?  no way.

A strategy I favor is - say I like Ford and have some to invest. If so, I may buy a small fraction of the shares of what I want today and watch it. Then if it fades and still looks appealing long term, add some.  If not, don't and re- evaluate based on the current happenings of the future.

 

Today, I'm thinking more dry powder, less spec stocks.  

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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A few " possible Disruptor stocks" under $10 and $20 on my Watch List: (VXRT, INO, FSR and Ford)

Market Talk

I've been circumspect about the overall market with favoring small positions in gold and silver. However, while cautious with the market bouncing off all-time highs - there are certain happenings and trends that seem to be here to stay. With this in mind, I am watching a few stocks of interest.

Stock Talk

Two under $10 stocks:

There is a new highly contagious C19 strain identified from South Africa and it has already spread to Botswana and Hong Kong. Actually, a new variant tagged as B.1.1.529, now named Omnicron. There are troubling things about this particular bug. It is reported to have evolved to 30 new mutations of the spike protein that current mRNA vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna target.

Two spec stocks in the vaccine space that could be the next generation of protection are Vaxart (VXRT) and Inovio (INO). Each have novel attributes.

Vaxart offers an Oral Tablet that dissolves in the mucous of the lower bowel. Covid 19 is transmitted via mucus droplets and takes hold in the mucous. Some believe this gives the Vaxart tablet an advantage. The counter argument is that VXRT is behind in the timeline of clinical trials and still needs more proving.

Inovio is starting the final Phase 3 clinical trial after the FDA put a hold on it due to questions on the device planned to adminisier the vaccine. That hold seemed heavy handed to this observer and raised questions of the FDA intentionally manipulating a delay so that their favored mRNA vaccines had the advantage.

Both VXRT and INO stock currently trade in the $ 7's range. With the emergence of Omnicron that seems to rapidly mutate the C19 spike Protein, it seems that the door may be open to both VXRT and INO stock to gain traction if further data proves that neutralizing antibodies and T cell immunity is triggered. Both the current mRNA vaccines offered by Pfizer and Moderna so far have NOT been shown to provide durable long-lasting protections. That is why boosters are being called for. However, early data from both Vaxart and Inovio vaccines seem to trigger the important T cell immunity that may be longer lasting for years, even a lifetime. For these reasons, it leaves me pondering if Vaxart's tablet vaccine and Inovio's vaccine (dna) could both be on the table as next generation vaccines with more robust attributes over existing vaccines. This would classify Vaxart and Inovio as possible disruptors. As a stock watcher the risk is the time and thus resources to actually prove and get to market.

A tablet vaccine has compelling advantages if it is proven to provide safe and effective long-lasting T cell protections. That has NOT yet been shown by Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines.

Two under $20 stocks:

Two possible disruptor stocks are in the electric vehicle (ev) apace are:

Fisker (FSR) - the planned ev's in 2022 look very interesting with a solar panel on the roof and carpets made from recycles plastic bottles from the sea. Two ranges of electric vehicles, both respectable, are planned and the co has an interesting and economical manufacturing plan to possibly overcome some of the obstacles hampering new comers in the ev space.

Ford (F) is implementing and manufacturing their Mustang and F 150 and orders are reported to reflect high demand

In summary, the market is volatile with Fed speak becoming hawkish on sooner than planned interest rate hikes to try to stem inflation. If buying any stock, I suggest thinking "some", not "too much". In spec stocks, keep some dry powder and re-evaluate the positions as time goes on.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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When The Fed changes tone on Interest rates to combat inflation, watch out.

 

Market Talk
 

Quick post to say that when the Fed goes hawkish after being dovish on interest rates be careful.

maybe some in a stock but too much can be a painful slide as the market punishes bulls. I don't make recommendations but having some dry powder if the market takes a downturn can save a lot of grief.  Interest rate sensitive stocks that depend on people borrowing to make purchases can suffer hard in such times.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Government Policy has me circumspect on the markets.

 

Market Talk
 

The democrats, with the majority in congress, have a socialist agenda under a guise of infrastructure.  Inflation is rampant with rates higher than in 30 years.  The Fed with Jerome Powell as the Federal reserve Chairman is expected to start raising interest from all-time lows in 2022.  However, the Fed has been dovish while they have dished out unemployment checks and it seems some are reluctant to get off the gravy train. Meanwhile a trend of shoplifting and lawlessness is growing across the country. California is a trend setter with allowing thieves to steal just under $ 1000 a day and if caught be charged with just a misdemeanor and go on.   But the police are overwhelmed in the cities and they typically just get away with it.  The woke democrats seem to think this is "equity".  Is it a ship of fools?   America's supply in oil pumping is down 10% and talk of using the strategic reserves are in play. sheesh.

Now the above is a view from main street not the market.  The market is looking to what it perceives as winners and losers from policy.  The Democrat policy is to rely on Russia and Opec to produce more oil while America was energy independent before Biden got in. Now he begs Russia and the middle east to produce more oil as they laugh at us. Oil and gas are going sky high and are a big inflation factor.  Interest rate hikes are not going to change oil prices.  The dems use climate change as the crisis to justify socialist "woke" policy of all sorts.  There is a way to transition to cleaner energy but the heavy-handed manipulative way of the socialist democrats is not the right way. There has got to be a better balance of policy to reflect the center not radical left-wing policy.

Stock Talk

The above preamble leaves me circumspect about the way America is headed.  One could say yeah forget about it all and watch infrastructure stocks.  For now, I'm still shaking my head and pondering.  Are we, the ones who grew up with the greatest generation as family the only ones - who see it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkKb4Zt48x8

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Gold and Silver - breakout coming or "Already ran" ?

 

Market Talk
 

In this post, I am going to refrain on commenting on where bad decisions and policy are taking our country.  However, on the economic front there is one thing that is happening-  Inflation. Bad inflation at rates  that we haven't seen in 30 years.  The Fed changes their view of "transitory" and remains less vigilant on the notion of raising interest rates  in the near term for the risk of slowing the economic recovery.

Stock Talk

With the above preamble, I  have been pondering if the recent rise in commodities  will spill over to a breakout on  Gold and silver.  On the other hand, the counter view is that they have already run and it may settle down.  With inflation seeming to be here, I am forming a view that Gold and Silver may just be ready to breakout much higher.

There is another factor in play in my viewfinder and that is the recent hoopla on bitcoin and other Crypto currency.  Crypto is in opposition to Fiat currency, that is those based on Governments like the US Dollar for example.  In a very real way Crypto can subvert trust in Fiat and Crypto is being used as an inflation hedge. In fact, I believe that it is becoming a serious threat to confidence in the US dollar. This happened to Gold back in the 30's and the US Fed took action on gold holdings.  Could they be planning action on Crypto ?  I suspect it may come in the form of higher taxes on Crypto gains. Crypto subverts the US Dollar.

China , for example, has already outlawed Crypto. However, China is exporting Crypto mining computers to outside countries like the US.  Again,  I have a suspicion that the US officials are waiting to quell the rise of Crypto by imposing special tax increases in Crypto gains.  If that happens it could create a Crypto CRASH.  And it would seem logical that people that have been hiding their funds in crypto could realize that hard gold and silver is a safer way to store value in inflationary times.  Regardless if the above story plays out, Gold and Silver are looking like a place to possibly maintain an allocated portion of a portfolio and "may" breakout higher or it may not decline in value as much as buying power of cash.

These are some Bull etf's that I am looking at :

GLD, a gold etf

SLV,  a silver etf

There are also leveraged double 2 X's bull ETF  on Gold and the miners as well. These leveraged ETF's are typically only good as a short term trade if the buyer thinks they can predict a near term direction.   But, if wrong and the direction goes the other way, the futures decay has a detrimental effect on the rate of decline in etf share value.  Yes, double etf's are a gamble on direction.  

One such 2X  Bull etf  on gold is UGL.  

I don't make recommendations on this site and recognize every bull case may have an equally strong bear case.  One such bear case is to look at the historical chart and a bear would say -  hey buddy,  already ran!   But a counter argument is a LOT of things have already run and if inflation continues at historical rates with energy costs a big driver - gold and silver may just be ready for a breakout run higher.  Because I am leaning to a notion that  a breakout "may be " coming, I have listed some bull ETF's. However, these are all just theories and any of our theory's about future performance  remain to be proven or disproven over time. Sometimes it's more prudent to just watch and see from the sidelines with dry powder.  In testing any such bull or bear view, I would say that the word "some" comes to mind whist maintaining dry powder and remaining watchful. Or just stay out and go to work or for a walk, whatever floats your boat. I close this post with a cautionary note to myself.  Timing a market is a gamble and can feel like a fool's game gone bad with "too much" or even "any".

So some may wonder at this point, what is Spider Jones saying and doing here???

In full disclosure , Spider Jones is holding  "some"  GLD and SLV at present and watching and pondering the leveraged gold etf.   He may or may not jump in or out some or none at anytime and maybe on a dip.  

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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A few Market watch notes and American dismay over "far left controllers"

  

Market Talk
 

The events in the country and world since the election have not been fun to watch  for an independent voter. I could list them here, but why bother? If you are not aware of what's happening, it's your fault. Yes, the market has surged and it's responding to the specter of massive spending bills that have a socialist agenda under the guise of "infrastructure".

Since the democrats have taken control, inflation is rising rapidly.  Market predictions in a topsy-turvy world seems like a fool's game, so I will sit that game out.

 

On the political front, this is a typical tweet showing dismay by more Americans giving it a thumbs up.

"Biden is intentionally relocating migrant families to Florida, and several other “Red” states, ahead of passage of the “Green New Deal” bill, knowing the amnesty provisions will likely provide Democrats enough new votes to turn those States “Blue” and effectively negate the likelihood of an anticipated “Red Wave” in next year’s mid-term elections."

 

Does that disturb you?  Biden  campaigned as a moderate saying he is NOT like socialist Bernie Sanders. Oh Really now? Coulda fooled many - Oh yea he did .  fool you once - shame on them. Fool you twice? shame on YOU.

Stock Talk

I will not venture any stock suggestions but say I am watching a few ETF's in Gold and silver like GLD, SLV  and perhaps an ETF in the gold miners that I won't name here due to inherent risk.  I can't venture a suggestion because with the market at all time highs, I won't be the one to pump anything and say buy, buy, buy - like the TV guys may do. The market leaves me circumspect.

Ford and GM may be a good stocks to watch but the supply chain on semiconductor chips made in Taiwan that they need to complete many of the options is still challenged.  Maybe US steel X is worth watching as an infrastructure stock.  

In biotechs , I am watching Inovio (INO) stock again. So far I have had three shots of C 19 immunization by Pfizer and I have not had Corona.  (I prefer the original name Corona over Covid).  But the mRNA shots are not lasting in protection.  There is early evidence that the Inovio vaccine INO4800 may provide longer lasting T cell immunization.  Likewise, the Vaxart oral pill may do similar.  But our FDA seems to favor  big pharma and throws roadblocks at others.  It has been reported that Inovio is proceeding in Phase 3 testing South America. I was once watching Sorrento but for some reason, they just can't seem to get off the mark to delivering.  That really could go for all three of the above but none the less, they bear watching from time to time.  If they ever do deliver a marketable product to turn the corner to profitability the market could respond.  Until then, I'm just watching from time to time.  If  they do not deliver, the stocks will languish and then they typically dilute shares to stay in business.  That is NOT good for retail shareholders.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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My Call- I'm BUYING more FORD STOCK on " good Juju, Mojo and Momo"

 

Stock Talk
 

I am making a rare bullish call on one stock.  Ford Motor Company.  I won't go on about their earnings growth and new ev's like the Mustang and their flagship best selling pickup , the F-150.  Now being back ordered the Lightning F 150 .  I won't go on about the recent battery partnership with Korean Li Ion battery company.  And I will not go on and on about the new small pick up truck for under $20k.  No folks I wont go on about the above and I do not hype stocks here.

I always try to mention the rule here of "some" , not too much.

 Well, not to go on and on or hype Ford, I will close with a deep but brief technical analysis.

At the moment, on some of the above points that the reader may look into on their own...

 Ford has some good Juju and Mojo for these times. - and this is resulting in "Momo" for Ford stock.

 It may continue higher. I am not ignoring GM either. GM is going to be a big ev player and had a PE that makes Tesla look like an overpriced "something".

 Both Ford and GM may be worth dipping the toes in some.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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"Candy Land" view is back for now anyway - is it a buy "some" time?

 

Market Talk
 

Apparently, the mood of the market is continuing in what I call "Candy land".  The Fed group controlling interest rates has less worry about inflation and more concern about employment.

 

I watch the  fundamentals of company earnings as well as eps potential and projected outlook in individual companies.  Also, if an issue represents a potential early sea change, we like to be aware.  However, often times stocks can get pumped way past their current value and represent bag holder traps.

 

Yet, the market is like an ocean with storms like we saw in Crypto and the Dow plunging and back to sunny skies where everything is fine, until the next storm - and many are looming off the horizon.  

 

Stock Talk

The following are some stocks of interest I am watching and may or may not be in "some" at anytime.

•  Ford 
•  GM

Others

•     VXRT,  NEOV,  NNOMF.
  

I have posted about all of these stocks in various posts and if interested feel free to look into them. (June 3rd update: avoiding crypto stocks at the moment).

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Go ahead, vote democrat - you MORONS

 

Straight Talk
 

Any informed person who watches the video and news from the southern border and yet STILL votes Democrat ? - Must be a MORON.  America is being Invaded.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Back to Ford and GM .

 

Market Talk
 

The market is like an ocean with storms like we saw in Crypto and the Dow plunging and back to sunny skies where everything is fine, until the next storm - and many are looming off the horizon.  

 

The government wants the pandemic rebound to happen smoothly and the Fed is accommodating with interest rates.  The question on inflation is always present but employment is viewed as more important.  The debate on stock picking based on growth vs value is playing out as money managers have been choosing value.

 

One stock, in the news with the lightning F150 all electric pick up is FORD.  Yes the chip shortage is a factor with the auto industry. The Lightning F150 will be out next spring, that's a year from now.  But Ford is definitely going to be player in the ev space and the mustang ev is out now. 

Where will Ford stock be in 6 months?  The new green deal is counting on ev's to cut carbon based emissions.

Not ignoring GM either. GM is going to be a big ev player.

Ford and GM may be worth dipping the toes back in some.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Is Vaxart's ORAL pill the solution to India's very scary variant B.1.617.2 ?

Stock Talk
 

The Vaxart oral vaccine is behind the three injected EUA approved vaccines. The  T- cell responses to C19 by the Vaxart pill are reported as multiples over the others.

But the virus has already mutated harshly in India. Recent tests to Chinese travelers from India detected coronavirus infections that matched the Indian B.1.617.2 variants, the CDC field notes said, “supporting [the conclusion] that the Covid-19 infection on these three patients probably occurred in India”.

The alarming infection and death spikes in India point to the variant being much more transmissible and stronger in that it may take a more direct route to infect the mucus of the lungs.  No wonder the US stopped travel to and from India!

There is a possibility that Pfizer and Moderna messenger RNA vaccines will not be able to handle new strains. So far, mutations to the spike protein have been limited. But if mutations increase, effectiveness could decrease, even with boosters.

 Vaxart web site:  

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"Our vaccine’s immune response appears very different that that seen from the leading injectables: mucosal antibodies rather than serum antibodies, and more potent T-cell responses,” said Andrei Floroiu, Vaxart’s chief executive officer. “For our first oral COVID-19 vaccine candidate, we believe that these differences in immunogenicity profile may have a benefit in cross-reactive protection.” 

 "The strength of T-cell responses against both S and N proteins, which we targeted, leads us to believe that VXA-CoV2-1 offers a promising solution to variants," said Dr. Sean Tucker, Vaxart chief scientific officer.

https://investors.vaxart.com/news-releases/news-release-details/new-data-vaxart-oral-covid-19-vaccine-phase-i-study-suggests

 Yes, C19 infection rates in the US are on a downward trend.  And yet an alarming spike in India with the new variant.

 Although Vaxart's oral pill finished it's phase 1 FDA safety trial,  the results reported point to a safe and complementary mechanism of action .  It is possible that a simple oral pill, VXA-CoV2-1, that can be taken at home with a cup of water could be the solution to the survival of thousands,  if not millions of India's citizens.

 So Phase 1 was a safety trial.  check that box.

Further, Vaxart points to an N protein response that may last for seventeen years , 17 !   more ....

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 Dr. Tucker discussed:

• Vaxart’s vaccine candidate showed higher CD8⁺ T-cell responses than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
• Higher T-cell responses correlated to protection against COVID disease in a prospective Phase I study of first responders
• The Vaxart vaccine candidate elicited a T cell response against SARS-Cov-2, as well as showed cross-reactivity against diverse endemic coronaviruses such as 229E, NL63, HKU1, and OC43      
• N protein responses to SARS-CoV-1 have been shown to last 17 years after infection and cross-react to SARS-CoV-2
• Vaxart’s vaccine candidate triggered specific IgA antibodies in the mucosa. These mucosal IgA responses appeared to be cross-reactive against other coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-1, MERS, and the endemic common cold viruses 229E, NL63, HKU1, and OC43

Conclusion

 I am NOT India's Emergency Use decider.  BUT if I were?  --  I'd be looking into offering Vaxart's pill to India's citizens at their option. 

Again, I am NOT the deciders and recognize they are typically mired in "due process" .  BUT with India's deaths mounting in India -- and grave diggers working around the clock there  -- maybe somebody should think outside the box? 

 nah-  likely not  -- so do not put (much, if any) on this little story of "what if".   That said -  what if?

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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GM smashes expectations by more than DOUBLE. - (but I say Hell NO ! to Self-driving cars)

 

Stock Talk
 

General Motors blew out earnings expectations by the more than DOUBLE beating by the expected quarterly eps of $1.02 to report a whopping $2.25 a share.

 Much of the earnings came from sales of ICE. That is short of what they call "Internal Combustion engines" vehicles versus EV's.  However , GM is now producing EV's and has big plans to go all electric by 2035.

 Back in October 2020, I posted this about the ev space...

"Electric vehicles are coming on. Tesla has worked its way as the leader and is currently trading at $431 per share after the split. The TSLA eps is listed as 0.39 and a PE of a whopping 1,118.  General Motors (GM) trades as $36 with an eps of $1.06 and a PE of 34."

 

That was when GM was at $36.  Today, GM is at $58 ish.

Further, GM has big plans to deliver an electric vehicle for Fed Ex called the EV600.    My personal view of GM as a stock?

I like what GM is doing with the exception of too much focus on self driving cars that I am not a fan of and will NEVER trust them enough to be driven in one. I realize that is contrary to populist belief and all the hype gurus. But once a self-driving car takes people down a one way road the wrong way, deaths will happen and the lawsuits will fly.  And this time the fancy pants screaming lawyers you see on TV won't be going after individuals with liability caps on insurance policies. The Car companies will be paying out huge settlements and opinions of self-driving cars will shift to LOUSY idea.  They are all doing this self driving car crap so I will not hold it against GM.

With yesterday's earnings smash - I hold some GM to see.  

The chip shortage was downplayed by GM even though some productions have been shuttered.

This IBD article describes the  current status of GM in the auto space very well.

https://www.investors.com/news/gm-earnings-q1-2021-gm-stock/

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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"Vaxart oral COVID-19 vaccine; hold the ice and the needles" - Is the VXRT run for real?

 

Stock Talk

Today's post is with some reluctance caused by past experience with a stock. However, due to watching reports from India where C19 is raging with grave diggers working round the clock.  I have posted before about a company with an oral vaccine that is timed to dissolve in the mucus of the lower bowel.  We have read the reports in early clinical testing showed that Golden Siberian hamsters showed robust immunity against C19 challenges. And then the phase 1 human trial results we highly anticipated as the stock surged from a single digit into the double digits and then the 20's.  But anybody who held the night that the report came in was sorry the next day as the stock sank right back to single digits. Man! did that hurt!  The thing that killed the run was lack of neutralizing antibodies (NAb), but t cell response was shown.

 Back then the shorts were keen to attack  on anything that did not specifically state NAb's.  But as the approved Pfizer and other mRNA vaccines have shown NAb's, prevailing thinking is that they will not be long lasting past 6 months.  and then the companies are gearing up for booster shots.

There is a growing school of though that it may be actually the t- helper and t fighter cell immunity that may be a more durable marker for long term protection.  The market has responded to anticipating a coming presentation by Vaxart chief scientific office.

Dr. Tucker’s presentation titled, “Vaxart oral COVID-19 vaccine; hold the ice and the needles,” will provide insight into the Company’s response and approach to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic with a room temperature oral tablet vaccine that is potentially protective against new and emerging COVID-19 strains.  

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/vaxart-present-world-vaccine-congress-120000069.html

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 It's a worldwide presentation. India, Brazil and many countries could really use a simple oral vaccine. Will the Vaxart pill gain traction in lands where C19 suffering and death prevails?  If so, it could be huge. key words "could be".

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Chip Shortage hits Auto Stocks again - STM Electronics revenues are benefiting

 

 Market Talk

 Prolonged semiconductor shortages are hitting the auto stocks again.  Meanwhile the state of the union by the President espoused huge social spending on pulling babies from their mothers arms at 3 years and sending them to indoctrination schools all the way through the first two years of community college.  Karl Marx is smiling at big government anti-capitalist socialists running America. The teachers union and Jill Biden seems to be in control.  Will this huge agenda be approved?  Perhaps. What happened to mothers these days?

Stock Talk

At the moment GM and Ford are taking a hit on the prolonged chip shortage. Shuttered plants are revised earnings estimates  over riding plans for future electric vehicles.

STM electronics (STM) a chip company in Geneva seems to be benefiting with higher revenues and earnings and share price at $39 .

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/stmicroelectronics-reports-2021-first-quarter-050000757.html

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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GM and Ford could get huge goverment grants for Electric vehicles, (maybe).

 

 Stock Talk

 Back in October 2020, I posted this about the ev space...

 

"Electric vehicles are coming on. Tesla has worked its way as the leader and is currently trading at $431 per share after the split. The TSLA eps is listed as 0.39 and a PE of a whopping 1,118.  General Motors (GM) trades as $36 with an eps of $1.06 and a PE of 34."

 

That was when GM was at $36.  Today, GM is at $57 ish.

 

Looking at recent quarters GM earnings remained very good.  However the global chip shortage in semiconductors that control some of the basic features of automobiles had caused both Ford and GM to shutter some production and downward revise earnings estimate.  When it looked like the chip shortage could be protracted, GM faded from pushing into the 60's to the current 57 range.  But things could change.

The support comes from the hope from the "Green new deal" strongly pushing for electric vehicles built in America.  It's hard to predict how this new "infrastructure" plan that has a lot of socialist inclined pork will actually play out.

The Democrats have the majority votes and we have seen how they work it.  The one thing that may last is the ev plans because China has many ev car companies and the US is currently behind.  That does not play well and maybe our Government is justified in helping GM and Ford.

 

The Jones view:   For these reasons and the fact that fundamentally on a PE basis -  (for example) GM is a much under appreciated as compared to the highly priced Tesla , it seems like dipping toes into GM and Ford in small buy lots  may have a chance to do well.  If huge government grants go to GM and Ford , watch out.  These are possibilities of the future but we can't trust a crystal ball, so perhaps -  "some" is a word that applies.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.. 

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Two under the radar Battery Stocks - NEOV and NNOMF

 

 Market Talk

In spite of yesterday's tax hike warning on capital gains, the market mostly shrugged it off.  Bitcoin seems to have taken a hit and the sell off on crypto mining stocks is a conundrum, but watching it gets to be like looking at a train wreck and trying to predict when it turns will feel like driving into the fog.  Talk of more government regulation on Crypto may be contributing to the recent fade.

Meanwhile , in another stock I was once keen on but had to let go awhile ago, Inovio, had a setback today.   The DoD pulled financing on a planned Phase 3 trial of the C19 vaccine INO4800.  It was not because it is bad vaccine. In fact, I still believe it may be the best vaccine.  But the wonderful jugheads in the FDA stalled it on device questions before allowing the phase 2 trial.  By the time Inovio proceeded, their chosen mRNA vaccines had gotten too far ahead. I believe the system was rigged against small Bio Inovio.  But no matter, the INO stock is down to a lower single digit.  Point is -- sometimes , it's best to objectively assess your position and just bail out even when your heart say's it is the right one.  Recall one of my "sayings" - The market has no soul and has no heart.

Okay. let's move forward..

So here are two issues  in the Battery space.. Low share priced and speculative with stock symbols:

 

• NEOV 

 https://www.neovolta.com/
 

• NNOMF

The first, Neovolta, is actively manufacturing batteries for home solar applications. Based in California and uses sources in China for materials. I have noticed that sales seem to be picking up with their batteries built using Lithium Iron Phosphate which they report to be fire safer and longer-lasting than competitors. The share price  has been floating in the 5's for awhile and it's been under the radar of most it seems.

The second stock,  NanoOne Materials, a Canadian research company listed on the Vancouver exchange and trades as NNOMF on pink sheets.  NanoOne has a patented one step process for manufacture of Cathodes to be used in Li-ion batteries.  Tests have been conducted  at the University of Michigan and the results were reported favorable. The company recently made a deal for $28.9 Million to finance a pilot plant in Canada.  

"The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for ongoing research and development, pilot plant expansion, business development and strategic initiatives with partners and collaborators and for general corporate purposes."

 I currently hold 200 shares of NNOMF and have been holding them awhile.  But in my view, it'sa speculative hold to wait and see if their cathode process gains traction for deployment into Li ion batteries for electric vehicles.  The cathode that NanoOne manufactures may have advantage in reducing the dendrite effect that wears down current Li-ion batteries and can make them dangerous fire hazards.

In closing, these two stocks have not been barn burners as far as share price movement - and do not seem to have much following. But I am watching them on the back burner so to speak because they could start to capture interest on any of several possible catalysts.  That said, they are spec stocks and I use the word just "some" , maybe a little some -  and then forget about it for awhile.

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 All in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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The Biden Tax Hike report could be a "something always happens " moment?

 Market Talk

Today, Bloomberg reports that  that Biden and the Democrats are proposing to nearly double capital gains tax on the wealthy.

With such notions with the majority of votes in the congress--   It keeps me circumspect on the overall market.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.. 

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Today's Paradox of Crypto stocks

 Stock Talk

It seems to be a paradox phenomena going on in the crypto stocks today.  

 

While Bitcoin is near peak price of $62 K and the Coinbase ipo yesterday that was a wild ride and back down again to settle. The miners and other are lagging. Its a very volatile day. This leaves me to wonder if it's a signal of peak bitcoin for awhile or the dip to buy.  Many young Crypto nerds will say never sell. But as I watch  the Bloomberg and Cnbc networks bring up the Crypto execs, they all are very young.  I can see they are enamored with the Crypto craze.  But did they live long enough to know about how the Government banned owning Gold bullion in 1933 to 1974 because it was a threat to confidence in the US Dollar?  Yea that's just "Boomer" think is what they call it.

 

But looking at stocks like RIOT and MARA, they have  really sunk in just two days. The volatility is not for many.  In closing, I will leave it up to the reader to check some stocks of interest out and perform their own due diligence.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.. 

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Today is yesterday's Tomorrow -- COIN got too hyped, MARA dumped - and CLSK in a microgrid deal in Walmarts?

 Stock Talk 

Well, this morning, the long awaited crypto exchange known as "Coinbase" has not yet opened  as symbol COIN -  and it is now after high noon.  Earlier, Cnbc announced the "reference price" is $250.  But as time passed and they put up various original private investors "pumping" the story, they are saying it will probably open near $375 ish.

This explains why I previously read estimates of a $375 open because "they" knew it would be pumped up higher. That gives a market evaluation of over $100 BILLION !  Is this a bubble or a healthy beginning for a new public Crypto exchange?  (I don't know -  it seems high - but traders and institutions may still want in.)

Yesterday, I posted it will be interesting to watch the other "Crypto" type stocks such as the miners and "asic" stocks.  As of this note we can get an idea by watching a widely traded "miner", MARA.

What is MARA doing?  We know from watching, MARA is a very volatile stock as I pointed out the other day and said - nah not for "moi" at the moment.  Today, on the very day that Bitcoin is at its peak and the COIN ipo is about to debut, funny - we see MARA down over $5,  near $45 a share !

Five dynamics are crashing MARA at this moment.

1.   profit taking on MARA
   
2.  COIN opening being hyped all over
3.  MARA got pumped by well known "handlers".
4.  People are starting to learn the " pump" is often followed by a major release "Dump".
5.  no eps yet.
   
6.  Traders dumping to buy hyped up COIN when it opens

Meanwhile did Goldman Sachs just recommend people buy a May 21 put on the overall market?  That is a cautious hedge from a major "hedge" company filled with " fancy pants hedge heads" , but they "short sell" the market too.  BUT we keep an eye on the movers because it's all part of stock watching.

Meanwhile, the "good guy", J. Powell just announced that the Fed will likely not raise interest rates until signs point to the need in 2022.  More Candy land into the summer? Does that  contrast the fancy pants at Goldman to  hedge your bets for next month?  Kinda. I'm still thinkin' on it ...

Update: they hyped COIN too much. It went up and then the originators probably dumped  it.

 and I often say here to maintain.

•  Some Dry $ Powder
  

Addendum of Note:

Another stock I am watching is CleanSpark (CLSK) announced that a major retailer is expanding Microgrid energy platforms with a partner.  Scuttlebutt is - it's Walmart.

CLSK may be turning the corner. If no further dilutions, I am taking it out of my dilution penalty box. After all, there are still only about 34 mil shares outstanding. I'm watching CLSK for further updates on their mining results.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.. 

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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