A Newly Issued Pure Biotech ETF Worth Considering

Posted on by Noah Kiedrowski

Noah Kiedrowski - INO.com Contributor - Biotech


Introduction

The biotechnology sector has witnessed unprecedented growth that has left all major indices far behind in both annual and cumulative performance over the past decade and more notably 5 years. Using the iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (IBB) and SPDR S&P Biotech (XBI) as proxies, these ETFs have posted annual returns of greater than 30% over the past 5 years while more than quadrupling returns on a cumulative basis over the past decade. It is noteworthy to point out that both IBB and XBI have risen to all-time highs recently while IBB broke the $400 per share barrier as well.

A novel way to play the biotechnology cohort has entered into the ETF universe via BioShares™ Biotechnology Products (BBP) ETF. BBP offers a pure biotech play with no holdings in the generic, specialty pharma, life science tools, medical device, diagnostic or other healthcare companies. Thus this ETF focuses solely on the biotechnology cohort with at least one FDA approved product in its portfolio. Continue reading "A Newly Issued Pure Biotech ETF Worth Considering" →

All Eyes Are On Apple Earnings And Watch Sales Today

Posted on by The INO.com Team

Today after the close Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) reports its quarterly numbers. It reports revenues, profits and will offer some guidance and perhaps share with everybody how many iPhones it has sold, but not watches.

So, how many Apple watches have been sold? How many people have you seen wearing an Apple watch? I have to admit, I have only seen two or three folks with Apple watches on their wrists, but that's all.

As a huge Apple fan for the past three decades, I did not feel the need to rush out and purchase an Apple watch. One of the reasons was because I already had a smart watch from Pebble which suits me fine and does practically everything that the Apple watch does. The Apple watches are beautifully made, but you have to charge them every night, which to me is a non starter.

Apple is not going to share Apple watch sales with us today, that item is going to be buried along with other items they have sold in the quarter.

The general consensus among analysts is that earnings per share will increase to $1.79 from $1.28 a year earlier. They're also looking for growth of around 32% on sales to $49.3 billion.

The technical picture is somewhat mixed for Apple in the sense that Apple has a monthly RED Trade Triangle that is indicating the trend for Apple is in more of a wait and see trading range right now. That could all change today should Apple move over the $134.80 level. I would also view a close today over $134 as a big clue to earnings and it would represent a new high close for Apple.

In addition to Apple, I will also be looking at the major indices, gold, crude oil and the euro.

Have a question or comment for us? Feel free to leave any questions or comments below this post.

Every success with MarketClub,
Adam Hewison
President, INO.com
Co-Creator, MarketClub

Three Reasons For The Collapse Of Gold Prices

Posted on by The INO.com Team

Many of the gold bugs cannot understand why gold prices keep falling. One would think with all the strife around the world, the financial crisis in Greece, plus the stress and conflict in the Middle East and various other countries that it would be an ideal time for gold prices to go higher. That, my friend, was the old way of thinking, that is not the way the markets really work.

Let's take a look at what's really happening and the three main reasons for the collapse in the price of gold.

(1) We had seen very strong equity markets around the world which gave an opportunity to investors to make money. Remember, gold pays no interest and in fact, you have to pay money to store gold. So in that sense it's a little like holding insurance for a catastrophic event.

(2) Gold has failed to respond to any of the traditional triggers, such as financial unrest and uncertainty. What this signifies is that the perception of gold, at least for the moment, has changed. In any market, perception is perhaps one of the most important elements for dictating price direction. Continue reading "Three Reasons For The Collapse Of Gold Prices" →

This Specialty Retailer Has Been Quietly Beating The Market All Year

Posted on by Daniel Cross

Daniel Cross - INO.com Contributor - Equities


Much like actors and actresses in Hollywood, certain stocks seem to dominate the headlines regardless of whether it's good or bad news. Meanwhile, less known names are outperforming their superstar counterparts yet continue to operate in relative obscurity.

Value investors love finding these stealthy bullish stocks. The less known it is, the more likely it is that it's been undervalued.

A disruptor that's defying gravity

Outerwall (OUTR) is a $1.55 billion specialty retailer that has an interesting story to tell to investors. The company is known for its brand name Redbox and Coinstar machines and along with its competitor Netflix (NFLX), is responsible for revolutionizing the way consumers rent movies and watch television. Outerwall has more than 66,000 kiosks across the U.S., Canada, Ireland and the U.K.

In the past year, the stock has gained nearly 54% and has done well so far this year as well – up 12.5%.

NASDAQ:OUTR
Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com

Taking a closer look at the chart, we can see that the 50-day moving average has been above the 200-day all year long and now appears to be pulling away at a rapid rate. This momentum is evidenced by its MACD, which indicates a strong upward trend in the stock right now. Continue reading "This Specialty Retailer Has Been Quietly Beating The Market All Year" →

8 Unprecedented Extremes Indicate A Stock Market Bubble In Trouble

Posted on by The INO.com Team

By: Elliott Wave International

This article was adapted from Robert Prechter's June 2015 Elliott Wave Theorist. For more charts and detailed commentary, analysis and forecasts from Prechter's latest issues, click here for the extended subscriber version of this report -- it's free.

It is amazing to read assertions from the Fed and others that the stock market is nowhere near being in a bubble. Several aspects of the financial environment are actually so extreme as to be unprecedented. Some indicate a bubble, and others a bubble in trouble.

Below are eight indicators we are watching closely, among others.

1) Record debt in U.S. dollars

Total dollar-denominated debt peaked at $52.7 trillion in early 2009. At the end of Q1 2015, it stands at $59 trillion, an unprecedented amount.

2) Margin Debt at All-Time Highs

Never have more trading-account owners owed so much money, and never have they had such a low level of available funds from which further to draw. Continue reading "8 Unprecedented Extremes Indicate A Stock Market Bubble In Trouble" →