Some people insist that 'mediocre' is better than 'best.' They delight in clipping wings because they themselves can't fly. They despise brains because they have none.” ― Robert A. Heinlein, Have Space Suit—Will Travel
Well, if nothing else the past half dozen trading sessions have not been boring. Following three straight days of deep losses starting with last Thursday's announcement of coming tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese imports, the markets have rose each of the past three days to claw back some of those heavy declines.
Pre-market futures are currently pointing to a down opening, but hopefully we can end the trading week on an up note. In the meantime, here are four biotech stocks analysts are giving positive mention to today.
The recent decline in Amarin (AMRN) has brought in analyst support. Over the past 24 hours, four analyst firms including Stifel Nicolaus and Jefferies have reiterated Buy ratings. Price targets proffered have ranged from $26 to $35 a share. The stock was down some 20% in after hours trading Wednesday on a surprise disclosure that the FDA plans to hold an advisory committee meeting around the company's supplemental marketing application seeking a cardiovascular benefit claim for Vascepa , tentatively scheduled for November 14th. However, by the of the day, the stock had fully recovered and ended nicely in the black.
BTIG initiates Cellectis (CLLS) with a Buy and $37 price target this morning. BTIG's analyst 'is positive on the company's partnership and collaboration agreements from its CAR-T pipeline deals with upcoming catalysts that include initial data from the ongoing Phase 1 study evaluating UCART123 for AML and the enrollment and dosing of the first patient in ' Phase 1 study evaluating UCART22 in AL expected this year.'
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Next up is Opiant Pharmaceuticals (OPNT). The stock is reissued as a Buy with a $42 price target at Northland Securities who also provides the following commentary around their valuation for the company.
We are raising our 2019 royalty forecast to $21.1MM, up from $17.1MM, based upon our revised NARCAN sales projection of $252.5MM, vs. $215.5MM. We also anticipate the Co. to recognize a $13.5MM commercial milestone in 4Q19. Finally, the Co.’s pipeline is progressing well, with TLR of the confirmatory PK study of OPNT003 (intranasal nalmefene) for opioid overdose reversal this year, w/ stability testing in 2020 supporting NDA submission in 2H2020 using the 505(B)(2) pathway. Key Points 2Q NARCAN Royalties @ $6.1MM on $73MM Sales: Opiant reported NARCAN royalties of $6.1MM for the 2Q19 period on sales by its partner, $73MM sales in the period. NARCAN sales for the 2Q period were up 11.5% sequentially, with 1H19 total sales at $138.5MM. The Co.”
Finally, H.C. Wainwright maintains its Buy rating and $24 price target on Corbus Pharmaceuticals (CRBP). It provides this detail on its valuation methodology.
Our price target of $24/share is based on an equally weighted composite of: (NYSE:A) $23.97/share, as a 35x multiple of taxed and diluted $5.63 discounted back to FY19 at 18% (in line with the expected P/E multiple and discount rate of an early development stage biotechnology company); and (NYSE:B) an NPV of $23.84/share (discounted cash flow analysis using a 16% discount rate and 2% growth rate, in line with the expected discount and growth parameters of an early development-stage biotechnology company).”
And those are four small cap concerns analysts like this Friday.
I've been all over the world and I've never seen a statue of a critic.” ― Leonard Bernstein
We just put out a new trade idea Monday using a simple at the money buy-write strategy. It involves a gene editing concern that is set up to deliver a return in the high teens in less than six months even if the underlying stock doesn't move. If you are registered to receive our weekly free reports, you would have received this in your 'in' box before the bell. If you are not signed up yet for this free service, just click HERE to download that latest report. This action will also ensure you receive all future free reports as published as well.
Thank You & Happy Hunting,
Bret Jensen
Founder, The Biotech Forum, Busted IPO Forum, The Insiders Forum
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