SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Strategies & Market Trends : Rande Is . . . HOME -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: Mark Konrad who wrote (31945)8/14/2000 1:34:21 AM
From: johnsto1  Respond to of 57584
 
By Ted Griffith, CBS.MarketWatch.com
Last Update: 11:51 AM ET Aug 13, 2000 NewsWatch
Latest headlines

NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Biotechnology shares are ready for a steady advance once the slow days of summer draw to a close and companies start sharing news of their success in the lab.

Since the beginning of the year, the Amex Biotechnology Index ($BTK: news, msgs) has gained nearly 70 percent, but the index is still about 17 percent off from its 52-week high of 806.37 reached on March 7 when runaway enthusiasm about the potential of genetic research helped lift biotech stocks to new peaks.


Today on CBS MarketWatch
Inflation just a phantom
Biotech stocks set to surge
Verizon strike enters second week
Industry experts say tire recall linked to labor strife
News Corp. reportedly to buy Chris-Craft
More top stories...
CBS MarketWatch Columns
Updated:
8/13/2000 4:04:18 PM ET



They aren't predicting a repeat of the explosive increases of February and early March, but analysts said several factors, including resurgent hopes that genetic research will lead to improved disease treatments, will help lift biotechnology stocks later this year.

"I'm bullish on the fundamentals of the sector post-Labor Day," said Winton Gibbons, an analyst with William Blair & Co.

Michael Becker, an analyst with Wayne Hummer Investments, said history is on the side of biotechnology investors in the second half of the year. Medical and investment conferences in the fall typically generate announcements about advancements in the development of new medicines, he said. News of successful testing of a new drug can propel a biotech's stock higher.

"Once you get past Labor Day, interest in the biotechnology sector really picks up," Becker said.

Peter Ginsberg, an analyst with US Bancorp Piper Jaffray, said stepped up merger and acquisition activity in biotechnology also bodes well for investors. Ginsberg noted that several buyouts recently, including Cephalon's (CEPH: news, msgs) purchase of Anesta Corp. (NSTA: news, msgs), delivered significant premiums to shareholders of the acquired companies.

Caution, of course

While they are generally bullish, the analysts did offer some words of caution. They said if Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore pulls into the lead later this year, the shares of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies could slide. Gore has criticized drugmakers for charging high prices, and the vice president supports expanding the federal health care program Medicare to cover prescription drugs. Drugmakers have long been wary of expanded Medicare coverage because they claim it could lead to government-imposed price caps on their products.

And while they expect less volatility later this year, the analysts said biotech stocks are still subject to big swings partly because companies can suffer unexpected setbacks in the development of new medicines.

Still biotech stocks offer promising opportunities.

Stock picks

Gibbons, of William Blair, said he expects strong performance from the stocks of Celera Genomics (CRA: news, msgs) and its sister company PE Biosystems (PEB: news, msgs) . Celera has been at the center of attention this year because of its lead role in producing a map of the human genome, which contains the genes that determine hereditary characteristics.

Celera shares climbed as high as 276 in the winter as investors became increasingly optimistic about the potential for genetic research. Then in March, shares of Celera, along with other biotech stocks, plunged after President Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair made comments that investors interpreted to mean that governments would impose restrictions on companies' ability to profit from genetic research. Celera's stock has recovered since the March tumble, but it is still well off its 52-week high. Shares of Celera now trade around 85.

Gibbons said he expects Celera shares will gain altitude later this year as the company's research progresses and investors see evidence of the benefits of genomics. Scientists expect that a better understanding of genetics will open the way for new treatments, and possibly cures, for a host of diseases.

Gibbons said he also sees upside for PE Biosystems, which makes devices that are used in genetic research, because the company will be introducing new products.

Carolyn Pratt, an analyst with Needham & Co., said she is optimistic about the prospects for companies that combine cutting-edge genetic research with the development of drugs to combat diseases. She said selling medicines is more lucrative than focusing exclusively on genetic research, as some genomics companies do.

Pratt mentioned Millennium Pharmaceuticals (MLNM: news, msgs), Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX: news, msgs) and Human Genome Sciences (HGSI: news, msgs) as companies that are doing a good job of harnessing the latest scientific research to develop new disease treatments.

Ginsberg, of US Bancorp Piper Jaffray, was positive about one of the industry's oldest companies, Biogen (BGEN: news, msgs). He said Biogen's recent decision to collaborate with Targeted Genetics (TGEN: news, msgs) on gene therapies for cancer and other diseases was encouraging because it "signals Biogen's interest in expanding its focus on the field of oncology."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



To: Mark Konrad who wrote (31945)8/14/2000 1:44:43 AM
From: Mark Konrad  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 57584
 
"Bonehead" edit: forgot UIS which I bought at 10 after American Spirit reminded the thread to have a look...
UIS-11 7/16, sideways, SP 11, 9, RBOP 13, 16, gap 24, 28, 36.
Have a nice evening, everyone. I need to get my eyes away from the computer for a while!--MK--



To: Mark Konrad who wrote (31945)8/14/2000 8:54:39 AM
From: Rande Is  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 57584
 
Exceptional work, Mark! On behalf of everyone here, THANK YOU!



To: Mark Konrad who wrote (31945)8/14/2000 9:29:55 AM
From: JLS  Respond to of 57584
 
Uh, is that the sound of shorts covering on ADAP, premarket activity is rolling by.



To: Mark Konrad who wrote (31945)8/21/2000 7:30:24 AM
From: Mark Konrad  Read Replies (4) | Respond to of 57584
 
8/21/00, "TA for Boneheads" update: Please see my previous "Bonehead" posts for all the usual caveats, waivers, warnings, etc. All of this is my work and my opinion only. It may be of little or no value to anyone else! I am not an expert or market guru of any kind; just a "Bonehead" looking for low-risk ways to make money position-trading (NOT daytrading) tech stocks from the long side. Price data is from market close, Friday 8/18/00. I may have positions in some or all of the securities listed here. This is posted for the benefit and perusal of all; I receive no direct financial benefit of any kind. Therefore, comments, questions and constructive criticisms are always welcome and greatly appreciated!

New Notes: a * before symbol indicates a "new buy" within the past week (or likely to be a new buy on Mon or Tues) and "up" or "down" denotes what I believe is the short term trend. OS indicates "oversold" but that is a condition which can continue for quite some time (just like OB-"overbought"). All trends can change fairly quickly so the numbers following are perhaps more valuable. Support points (SP) below the current price and resistance/breakout points (RBOP) above the current price are the result of my attempts to analyze daily charts over a one-year time period and may include a variety of chart patterns (trendlines, triangles, flags, etc) as well as moving averages, momentum indicators, and stochastics (I generally get better and more reliable results with fewer variables!). Since markets are continuously dynamic, a support point (SP) can become a new resistance/breakout point (RBOP) once it has been breached. Similarly, RBOPs can become support points once they are taken out on upmoves. Many times I have used SPs and RBOPs as effective entry and exit points for actual buy/sell stops. Sometimes I use them as guidelines or alerts. I typically allow anywhere from 2-15% as a stop loss on new entries depending upon the individual security and how close to SPs or RBOPs my purchase is made.

"New" New Notes: The upcoming week's FOMC meeting on Tuesday plus earnings reports from companies such as SCMR may help continue this volatile summer season. Undoubtedly there will be pitfalls and opportunities.

That said, here's this weeks's "Bonehead" update.......

A-56 3/8, up, SP 50, 45, RBOP 60, 70, 81
*ACCD-8 3/16, sideways (bot @ 8 1/4), OS, Desc Tops Line from 13, SP 7 3/4, 7 1/4, RBOP 9 1/2, 10 1/2, 11 1/2, 13 1/4
ADIC-12 3/16, down, OS, SP 12, 10, RBOP 17, 20
ADPT-22 15/16, up (bot @ 22), Trendline Supp 21, SP 21, 18, 16, RBOP 26, 35
*ADAP-24 7/8, up, OS, SP 22, 18, RBOP 26, 35, 38, 41, 51
*ADSX-3 15/32, up, SP 3, 2, RBOP 4 1/8, 5 1/2, 6 1/2, 8 1/4
*AETH-134 7/8, down, OS, spec buy, SP 130, 120, 110, RBOP 142, 160 (Descending Tops Line), 185, 218
ANAD-28 1/2, up, SP 27, 25, 22, 19, RBOP 33, 37, 43, 50
AOL-54 7/8 (bot @ 52), up, OS, SP 51, 48, RBOP 63, 70, 75
*ARTT-9 3/8, sw, OS, SP 8, RBOP 13, 18
*ATHM-14 3/4 (bot @ 14), up, OS, SP 13, RBOP 18, 23
ATML-36 3/4, up, SP 33, 28, 25, RBOP 43, 50m 63
*BOUT-30 15/16, sw, SP 28, 25, 22, RBOP 33, 36, 40, 51
BRCD-210 1/16, up, SP 200, 190, 170, 160, RBOP 221
BRCM-258 1/8, up, SP 240, 230, 210, RBOP 262
CICI-3 3/8, up, SP 3, 2 7/8, 1 3/4, RBOP 3 1/2, 4, 5
CNQR-3 5/8, sw, SP 3 7/16, RBOP 5, 7 1/2, 10
*CMGI-37, sw, OS, SP 36, RBOP 40, 51, 65, 75
CNXT-39 1/8, up, SP 35, 30, RBOP 41, 50, 60
COMS-16 5/8, up, Trendline Supp 16 1/4, SP 15, 12, RBOP 20
COVD-15 5/8, sideways, OS, SP 15, 13 1/2, RBOP 18, 21, 24, 30
CRUS-28 11/16, up, near OB, SP 27, 24, 20
CS-34 3/4, up, near OB, SP 33, 30, 27, 25, RBOP 38, 47, 54
CSCO-63 1/2, sideways, SP 60, 55, 50, RBOP 71, 76, 83
CTXS-19 7/8, sw, OB, SP 19, 14 1/2, RBOP 26, 40
*DCGN-27, up, SP 26, 24, RBOP 32
*DISH-40 5/8, up, SP 37, 35, 31, RBOP 44, 46, 51, 65
DITC-65 1/16, up, SP 59, 55, 45, RBOP 72, 90, 97, 111
EGAN-8 11/16 (bot @ 8 1/16), up, SP 8, 6 1/2, RBOP 11, 18, 23, 31
*ELNK-9 11/16 (bot @ 9 3/4), up, OS, SP 9 1/2, RBOP 11, 14, 18, 24. 28
ENE-86 15/16, up, OB, SP 84, 80, 77, 72, 65
ENGA-9 (bot @ 8 5/16), up, SP 8 1/4, 7 1/2, RBOP 10, 15, 17, 21, 30
ELON-37 1/4, sw, channel 32-41, SP 32, 30, 28, 20, RBOP 42, 45, 50, 58
EXDS-60 7/16, up, SP 57, 55, 50, 45, RBOP 72, 88
EMLX-88 11/16, up, SP 82, 70, 60, RBOP 120, 140, 160
FBCE-8 3/16, up, SP 7 5/8, 7, 6 1/2, 6, 5, 4 3/4, RBOP 9, 10, 11
FNSR-37 1/2, up, SP 35, 33, 30, 27, RBOP 40, 45, 54, 60
*FFIV-50 3/4 (bot @ 50), up, SP 48, 45, 40, 30, RBOP 59, 79, 100
GBLX-31 11/16, up, SP 30, 27, 24, RBOP 35, 39, 46, 56
*GLC-17 7/8, down, OS, SP 17, 16, RBOP 21, 23 1/2, 27 1/2, 31
GLW-299 15/16, up, SP 280, 270
*GNSL-13 13/16, sw, OS, SP 13, 11, RBOP 16, 19, 24, 31
*HATH-7 1/2, up, SP 6 1/2, 5 1/2, RBOP 10, 13, 16, 20
HLIT-27 5/8, up, SP 25, 22, RBOP 30, 37, 45, 60
HLTH-13 (bot @ 11 1/4), up, OS, SP 11, RBOP 15, 19, 22, 27
IBM-120 7/16, down, OB, SP 119, 114, 110, 100-105, RBOP 125, 128, 138
IATV-13 7/8, up, SP 13, 11, RBOP 16, 20
*ICGE-30 7/16, sw, OS, SP 29, 25, RBOP 39 47, 60
IFCI-20 5/16, up, SP 19, 17, 13, 15, RBOP 27, 30, 38
IFMX-4 13/16, sideways, SP 4 1/4, 4, RBOP 6, gap 7, 10
IMNX-42 1/2, down, SP 38, 30, 25, RBOP 53
INPH-17, sw, SP 16, 13, RBOP 20, 28, 35
*INSP-27 7/8, sideways, OS, SP 27, 20, 15, RBOP 36, 42, 53, 62
IONN-2 1/8, sideways, OS, SP 2, RBOP 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11
*ISLD-26 1/4, sideways, OS, SP 25, 18, RBOP 29, 33, 40, 50, 60
JDSU-122 7/8, up, Trendline Supp 115, SP 120, 108, 95, RBOP 125, 130, 141, 151
JNIC-62 1/16, up, SP 58, 52, 45, 40, 35, 30, 26, RBOP 63, 68, 80, 90, 110
*KEI-57 1/8, up, SP 50, 45, RBOP 61, 71, 91, 101
KOPN-30, up, SP 27, 23, RBOP 33, 40, 47, 51
*LBRT-18 7/16, up, OS, SP 17, RBOP 21, 25, 31, 41, 50, 61
LCOS-60 1/16, up, SP 56, 52, 49, 45, 41, RBOP 66, 71
LEXG-29 11/16, up, SP 27, 25, 22, 17, RBOP 31, 36, 41, 50
LPTH-41 1/8, up, SP 38, 35, 29, 25, 20, RBOP 42, 48, 51, 60, 70
LQID-6 7/8, up, SP 6, RBOP 8, 10, 15
LRCX-29 5/16, up, SP 26, 23, 19, RBOP 30, 35, 40, 45
LU-43, up, SP 42, 40, RBOP 46, 50, 55, 60, 67, 72
MDT-50 13/16, down, SP 50, 48, 46, RBOP 58
METHA-52 1/8, up, SP 50, 47, 43, 38, 35, RBOP 56, 60, 65
MMPT-12 9/16, sw, SP 11 1/2, 10, RBOP 16, 19, 23, 25, 35
MOT-36 1/4, up, SP 35, 33, 29, RBOP 38, 40, 45, 52, 56, 63
MSFT-71, sw, SP 70, 67, 64, 61, RBOP 76, 83, 90
*NBCI-8 1/16, sideways, OS, spec buy, RBOP 10, 13, 17, 20, 29
*NEON-25 1/8, sw, trendline supp at 24, SP 22, 20, RBOP 30, 47
*NETP-10 13/16, sideways, OS, Spec Buy, SP 10, RBOP 13, 15, 20, 25, 31
NOVL-9 7/8, sw, SP 9, 8, RBOP 13, 18
*NTOP-32 1/16, up, SP 27, 25, RBOP 41, 51, 65
NOK-41, up, SP 39, 37, 34, 28, RBOP 42, 46, 51, 57
NT-82 7/16, up, SP 80, 75, 70, 67, 65, 60, RBOP 85
*NVLS-59 7/8 (bot @ 49), up, SP 54, 48, 44, RBOP 70
NXTL-57 1/4, up, SP 55, 52, 46, 37, RBOP 61, 65, 74, 83
NUAN-151 1/16, up, SP 145, 139, 129, 120, 115, RBOP 162, 182
NTRO-61 7/8, up, SP 59, 54, 49, 40, 30, 25, RBOP 63, 80, 91, 102
*PBSC-21 1/8, sw, SP 20, 16-18, RBOP 23, 28
*ORCH-38 1/2, up, SP 35, 27, RBOP 43, 50, 61
OMKT-7 3/16, up, SP 6 1/2, 6, RBOP 8, 10, 12, 15, 20
PALM-34 11/16, down, SP 33, 29, 25, 20, RBOP 41, 48, 51, 60, 72
PSFT-24 1/2, sw, near OB, SP 24, 21, 19, RBOP 26, 28
*PSIX-16 1/8, up, OS, SP 15, RBOP 23, 30, 35
*PUMA-19, up, OS, SP 17, 14, RBOP 21, 24, 30, 40, 51
*Q-44, down, SP 43, 40, RBOP 51, 58, 66
QCOM-59 3/4, sideways, OS, SP 59, 55, RBOP 71, 74, 85
RSAS-65 1/2, up, SP 60, 55, RBOP 70, 81, 93
*RTHM-9 11/16, sw, OS, SP 9, RBOP 13, 18, 21, 25
SBAS-6 25/32, sw, OS, SP 6 1/2, 6, 4, RBOP 8, 12
SCMR-167 3/16, up, SP 150, 135, RBOP 181, 200
*SCON-20 1/8, sw, SP 19, 13, RBOP 26, 30, 41, 55
SVNX-33 13/16, up, SP 29 RBOP 37, 42, 51, 61
TFSM-12 1/8, up, SP 11, 10, 9 1/2, RBOP 16, 21, 25, 31
*TGNT-13 3/16, down, OS, spec buy, RBOP 18, 22, 28, 31, 41, 57
UIS-11 1/16, sw, SP 11, 9, RBOP 13, 16, 24, 28, 36
VNTR-10 15/16, sideways, OS, SP 10 1/2, RBOP 15, 18, 27, 33, 37
VTSS-70 15/16, up, SP 65, 58, 50, RBOP 76, 81, 91
*VZ-42 7/16 (bot @ 42 1/2), up, OS, SP 40, RBOP 43, 47, 51, 59, 66
WCAP-10 1/2, sideways, OS, SP 10, RBOP 14, 17
WCOM-34 9/16, up, OS, SP 34, 32 1/2, RBOP 36, 41, gap 43, 46, 50
WFII-57 1/2 (bot @ 46 7/8), up, SP 54, 47, 40, RBOP 62, 71, 82, 95
WRLS-15 5/8, up, SP 14, 13, 11, 8, RBOP 18, 21, 26

I'm trying to add in a few more each week and would greatly appreciate suggestions (although each weekly update now consumes about 8-10 hours!). During the week I also try to "flag" certain stocks as they move up along with some of my selected buys. I don't generally post as many of the sells, especially if they are are the result of sell stops using the posted numbers.

Some additional thoughts:
Prioritizing buys is difficult especially when presented with multiple opportunities for a limited budget. Which is the "better" strategy: to funnel as much money as possible into a few beaten down or low-priced stocks that appear oversold, or to spread smaller share purchases among those AND larger/stronger stocks? For me, the latter makes more sense but that is a question traders of all types answer every day. Similarly, buys and sells work "best" for me when done as scaleable positions (or partial positions) as Rande has suggested with his "hybrid trading method."

Conservative financial radio talk-show host Bob Brinker routinely recommends that no single stock purchase should make up more than 4-5% of a person's portfolio and that if that stock should appreciate to a level of 10%, profits should be taken to reduce that holding back down to 5%. I'm not quite that conservative but Mr. Brinker's strategy makes a good deal of sense and serves as a useful guideline. Naturally, I'd emphasize stronger stocks (such as IBM, for example) over riskier ones in a long term account but might have equal (or higher) dollar amounts of aggressive newer issues in a short term trading account.

Whichever way the general market goes this week there will always be winners and losers. I hope the above information helps emphasize gains and limit losses!

Best Regards,
Mark Konrad