Companies featured in this edition of the newsletter: ACTC, CHIP, CUR, CVM, ENZ, IMUC, IWEB, SRCO, SVUL, XSNX

Markets finally snapped their winning streak last week, as weakness in housing markets and durable goods orders led to broad-based declines in all of the major indices. All told, the Dow surrendered 155 points on the week to close at 9665, down 1.6% on the week but up 10.1% on the year. The Nasdaq lost 2.0% on the week to close at 2090, up 32.6% on the year, while the S&P 500 and Russell 2000 posted losses of 2.2% and 3.1% respectively, paring their yearly gains to 15.6% and 19.9%.

Unexpectedly poor data from the housing sector was the big economic story on the week as both new and existing August home sales failed to live up to expectations. New home sales increased modestly to 429,000, falling short of estimates calling

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Companies featured in this edition of the newsletter: CUR, CVM, ENZ, IMUC, MBCI, ONEZ, PHC, SVUL

Markets finished in positive territory yet again during this holiday shortened week despite the lack of any significant developments on either the corporate or economic fronts. All told, the Dow gained 164 points to close at 9605, up 1.7% on the week and 9.4% on the year. The Nasdaq gained 3.1% on the week, closing at 2080, up 32% on the year, while the S&P 500 and Russell 2000 gained 2.6% and 4.0% respectively on the week, up 15.4% and 18.8% on the year.

It was a slow week on the corporate side, but there were some healthy signals from the technology sector, as Texas Instruments raised its Q3 outlook, guiding for EPS of between $0.37 and $0.41, up from previous forecasts of $0.29-$0.39. Fed Ex also guided higher, citing cost management and better

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Companies featured in this edition of the newsletter: CUR, CVM, DKAM, ICLK, IMUC, IWEB, OMCM, ONEZ, SVUL, TAGS

Markets managed to extend their run this week, hitting fresh highs for ‘09 despite coming under pressure from negative economic reports and a significant two week correction in Chinese equity markets. All told, the Dow ended up 2.0%, gaining 184 points to close at 9505, extending its yearly gains to 8.3%. The Nasdaq finished the week up 1.8%, closing back above 2000 at 2020, up 28.1% on the year, while the S&P 500 and Russell 2000 managed to post gains of 2.2% and 3.1% respectively, bringing their yearly gains to 13.6% and 16.4%.

Concerns stemming from weakness in Chinese markets which have surrendered 20% in the past two weeks after climbing 109% from October lows spooked many investors expecting a similar correction in US markets early in the week. US

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Companies featured in this edition of the newsletter: ACTC, CVM, CUR, DKAM, FMTI, ICLK, IMUC, IWEB, OMCM, ONEZ, SIHI, TAGS

Markets took pause from their four week run this week, as some less than encouraging economic reports coupled with profit taking led to slight declines in all of the major indices. All told, the Dow ended the week down 0.5%, surrendering 48 points to close at 9321, bringing its YTD gains to 6.2%. The Nasdaq was off 0.7%, closing at 1985, up a healthy 25.9% on the year, while the S&P 500 and Russell 2000 were down 0.6% and 1.5% respectively, paring their yearly gains to 11.2% and 12.9%.

Disappointing economic data relating to inventories and consumer sentiment soured the mood for much of the week, as worse than expected declines in retail sales, consumer sentiment, and business and wholesale inventories gave investors cause for concern. Retail sales

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Human Genome Sciences Inc. (HGSI) announced that it plans to raise approximately $310 million as net proceeds by selling 23.2 million common shares at $14 per share. This reflects an expansion of the initial public offering where the company had planned to sell 18 million shares in public.   The Rockville, Maryland-based company further stated that the underwriters would be given a month to buy up to an additional 3.48 million common shares to cover any over-allotments. The offering, expected to close on August 3, will lead to considerable dilution in the shareholder base.   Human Genome intends to use the proceeds for general corporate and acquisition or investment purposes. Additionally, this funding arrangement is also expected to provide cash for further development of the pipeline.   As a reminder, Human Genome has a robust and diversified pipeline which includes drugs to treat hepatitis C, lupus, anthrax, cancer, ...

This week, biopharmaceutical company Human Genome Sciences Inc. (HGSI) announced the commencement of an underwritten public offering of up to 18 million shares of its common stock. The Maryland-based company stated that the underwriters would be given a month’s period to buy up to an additional 2.7 million common shares. While the company should be able to raise funds sufficient to finance operations through this operation, the issuance of shares will lead to considerable dilution in the shareholder base. The company intends to use the proceeds for general corporate and acquisition or investment purposes. Additionally, this funding arrangement is also expected to provide cash for further development of the pipeline.

As a reminder, Human Genome has a robust and diversified pipeline, which includes drugs to treat hepatitis C, lupus, anthrax disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and HIV/AIDS. The company has recently filed a Biologics License Application (BLA) for ABthrax for

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With the Russian invasion of Georgia, attention has been focused on Eastern Europe and any investment opportunities or bargains there. The Czech Republic is one of the larger countries in that part of the world. Here are some interesting facts about the country: 1. It is a pluralist multi-party parliamentary representative democracy. 2. They have a flat tax. 3. Their annual GDP growth has recently been approximately 6%. 4. It has the highest ranking compared to the former Comecon countries in the Human Development Index. 5. It ranks 35th out of all countries for GDP based on purchasing power parity. 6. Most of the country's economy has been privatized. 7. It has has abolished border controls with all of its neighbors. 8. The Programme for International Student Assessment ranks the Czech education as the 15th best out of all countries. 9. 4.6% of their electricity comes from renewable sources, including hydropower. 10. They ...