Archives for April 23, 2019

Stocks to Watch: Eyes on Virnetx Holding Corp (VHC), Scpharmaceuticals Inc. (SCPH)

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The price of VirnetX Holding Corp (NYSE:VHC) went up by $0.13 now trading at $6.21. Their shares witnessed a 195.71% increase from the 52-week low price of $2.1 they recorded on 2018-05-01. Even though it is still -13.37% behind the $7.04 high touched on 2019-03-11. The last few days have been good for the stock, as its price has grew by 4.9% during the week. It has also performed better over the past three months, as it added around 12.5% while it has so far climbed around 88.18% during the course of a year. The stock of VHC recorded 158.75% uptrend from the beginning of this year till date. The 12-month potential price target for VirnetX Holding Corp is set at $2.88. This target means that the stock has an upside potential to increase by -53.62% from the current trading price.

9 institutions entered new VirnetX Holding Corp (NYSE:VHC) positions, 32 added to their existing positions in these shares, 34 lowered their positions, and 9 exited their positions entirely.

VirnetX Holding Corp (VHC) trade volume has decreased by -47.92% as around 294,939 shares were sold when compared with its 50-day average volume of traded shares which is 566,344. At the moment, VHC is witnessing a uptrend, as it is trading 0.75% above its 20-day SMA, 7.19% above its 50-day SMA, and 50.06% above its 200-day SMA. The company runs an ROE of roughly -327.1%, with financial analysts predicting that their earnings per share growth will be around 15% per annum for the next five year. This will be compared to the 5.6% increase witnessed over the past five years.

The first technical resistance point for VirnetX Holding Corp (NYSE:VHC) will likely come at $6.32, marking a 1.74% premium to the current level. The second resistance point is at $6.43, about 3.42% premium to its current market price. On the other hand, inability to breach the immediate hurdles can drag it down to $5.97, the lower end of the range. VHC’s 14-day MACD is -0.12 and this negative figure indicates a downward trading trend. The company’s 14-day RSI (relative strength index) score is 53.54, which shows that its stock has been neutral. The 20-day historical volatility for the stock stands at 52.08 percent, which is low when compared to that of the 50-day’s 77.73 percent.

The shares of scPharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:SCPH) has decreased by -0.98%, and now trading at $3.03 on the Wall Street in the intra-day deal, with their shares traded now around 68,762. This is a rise of 27,950 shares over the average 40,812 shares that were traded daily over the last three months. The stock that is trading at $3.03 went higher by 24.18% from its 52-week low of $2.44 that it attained back on 2019-04-11. The stock recorded a 52-week high of $15.7 nearly 349 days ago on 2018-05-09.

SCPH stock hasn’t performed well over the past 30 days, as it lost -3.19% while its price plunged by -19.41% year-to-date (YTD). Looking at the last few days, it has been good for the stock, as it rose 14.34% over the last week. The stock’s 12-month potential target price is now at $8. This means that the stock price might likely increase by 164.03% from its current trading price. 2 out of 3 Wall Street analysts which represents 66.67% rated the stock as a buy while the remaining 33.33% rated it as a hold, with 0% of analysts rating it as a sell.

scPharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:SCPH) has been utilizing an ROE that is roughly -33.8%, with stock analysts predicting that the company’s EPS for the next five years will go down by 0% per year, following the 0% drop that was witnessed during the past five years. The stock at the moment is on a uptrend, trading 5.93% above its 20-day SMA, -1.91% below its 50-day SMA, and -29.54% below its 200-day SMA. In percentage terms, the aggregate scPharmaceuticals Inc. shares held by institutional investors is 77.2%. 3 institutions jumped in to acquire scPharmaceuticals Inc. (SCPH) fresh stake, 13 added to their current holdings in these shares, 16 lowered their positions, and 3 left no stake in the company.

The stock’s 9-day MACD is 0.19 and this positive figure indicates an upward trading trend. The company’s 9-day RSI score is 58.49, which shows that its stock has been neutral. The 20-day historical volatility for the shares stand at 80.86 percent, which is more when compared to that of the 50-day’s 63.13 percent. On the daily chart, we see that the stock could reach the first level of resistance at $3.16, sporting a 4.11% premium to the current level. The next resistance point is at $3.29, representing nearly 7.9% premium to the current market price of scPharmaceuticals Inc. (SCPH). On the other hand, failure to breach the immediate hurdles can drag it down to $2.85, the lower end of the range.

Stocks to Watch: Homology Medicines, Inc. (FIXX) and Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (PARR) In the Spotlight

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The price of Homology Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:FIXX) went down by $-0.34 now trading at $21.82. Their shares witnessed a 44.79% increase from the 52-week low price of $15.07 they recorded on 2018-08-20. Even though it is still -45.74% behind the $31.8 high touched on 2019-02-27. The last few days have been rough for the stock, as its price has decreased by -2.55% during the week. It has also performed poorly over the past three months, as it lost around -4.51% while it has so far climbed around 3.9% during the course of a year. The stock of FIXX recorded -2.42% downtrend from the beginning of this year till date. The 12-month potential price target for Homology Medicines, Inc. is set at $34. This target means that the stock has an upside potential to increase by 55.82% from the current trading price.

17 institutions entered new Homology Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:FIXX) positions, 41 added to their existing positions in these shares, 18 lowered their positions, and 5 exited their positions entirely.

Homology Medicines, Inc. (FIXX) trade volume has increased by 32.83% as around 366,422 shares were sold when compared with its 50-day average volume of traded shares which is 275,850. At the moment, FIXX is witnessing a downtrend, as it is trading -15.93% below its 20-day SMA, -16.12% below its 50-day SMA, and 0% below its 200-day SMA. The company runs an ROE of roughly 0%, with financial analysts predicting that their earnings per share growth will be around -8.3% per annum for the next five year. This will be compared to the 0% decrease witnessed over the past five years.

The first technical resistance point for Homology Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:FIXX) will likely come at $22.62, marking a 3.54% premium to the current level. The second resistance point is at $23.41, about 6.79% premium to its current market price. On the other hand, inability to breach the immediate hurdles can drag it down to $20.53, the lower end of the range. FIXX’s 14-day MACD is -2.73 and this negative figure indicates a downward trading trend. The company’s 14-day RSI (relative strength index) score is 34.05, which shows that its stock has been neutral. The 20-day historical volatility for the stock stands at 88.43 percent, which is high when compared to that of the 50-day’s 78.18 percent.

The shares of Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:PARR) has increased by 1.42%, and now trading at $19.28 on the Wall Street in the intra-day deal, with their shares traded now around 290,316. This is a decline of -38,088 shares over the average 328,404 shares that were traded daily over the last three months. The stock that is trading at $19.28 went higher by 40.94% from its 52-week low of $13.68 that it attained back on 2018-12-26. The stock recorded a 52-week high of $21.34 nearly 236 days ago on 2018-08-30.

PARR stock has performed well over the past 30 days, as it added 7.41% while its price climbed by 35.97% year-to-date (YTD). Looking at the last few days, it has been good for the stock, as it rose 4.56% over the last week. The stock’s 12-month potential target price is now at $22.8. This means that the stock price might likely increase by 18.26% from its current trading price. 5 out of 6 Wall Street analysts which represents 83.33% rated the stock as a buy while the remaining 16.67% rated it as a hold, with 0% of analysts rating it as a sell.

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:PARR) has been utilizing an ROE that is roughly 8%, with stock analysts predicting that the company’s EPS for the next five years will go down by 0% per year, following the 17.2% raise that was witnessed during the past five years. The stock at the moment is on a uptrend, trading 6.2% above its 20-day SMA, 10.75% above its 50-day SMA, and 10.73% above its 200-day SMA. In percentage terms, the aggregate Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. shares held by institutional investors is 86.6%. 22 institutions jumped in to acquire Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (PARR) fresh stake, 76 added to their current holdings in these shares, 74 lowered their positions, and 24 left no stake in the company.

The stock’s 9-day MACD is 0.45 and this positive figure indicates an upward trading trend. The company’s 9-day RSI score is 73.3, which shows that its stock has been overbought. The 20-day historical volatility for the shares stand at 29.18 percent, which is more when compared to that of the 50-day’s 24.65 percent. On the daily chart, we see that the stock could reach the first level of resistance at $19.47, sporting a 0.98% premium to the current level. The next resistance point is at $19.66, representing nearly 1.93% premium to the current market price of Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (PARR). On the other hand, failure to breach the immediate hurdles can drag it down to $18.86, the lower end of the range.

Canada’s stock index slips

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A financial tote board is shown in Toronto’s financial district on Monday, Dec. 31, 2018.

Canada’s main stock index was down slightly in morning trading after ending last week at an all-time high.

The S&P/TSX composite index was down 18.07 points at 16,594.74.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 40.69 points at 26,518.85. The S&P 500 index was down 0.47 points at 2,904.56, while the Nasdaq composite was down 0.18 points at 7,997.88.

The Canadian dollar traded 74.87 cents US, up from an average of 74.73 cents US on Thursday before the holiday weekend.

The June crude contract was up $1.56 at $65.63 per barrel and the May natural gas contract was up 2.5 cents at US$2.52 per mmBTU.

The June gold contract was up 90 cents at US$1,276.90 and the March copper contract was down two cents at US$2.90 a pound.

Streaming services will eclipse TV subscribers in 2020, report predicts

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While many households subscribe to both options, the report estimates that about 32 per cent of Canadian households will not have a traditional TV subscription by the end of this year — an increase of about two percentage points from 2018.

More global platforms set to come online in next couple of years

The number Canadian households paying for at least one streaming video service will eclipse traditional TV subscribers for the first time next year, predicts an annual report on consumer habits.

Convergence Research Group says the growing popularity of an array of streaming options — ranging from Netflix and Crave to sports platform DAZN — is leading to a gradual shift in where viewers invest their entertainment dollars.

Brahm Eiley, president of Convergence Research, suggested those changing habits will cross a benchmark by the end of 2020 as more streaming companies launch in Canada. He outlined the details in his Couch Potato report on industry trends, released Monday.

“If we look at things a year ago compared to where we are now, you’re starting to see the global platforms enter Canada, and that’ll only intensify in the next couple of years,” Eiley suggested in an interview.

“The consumer is starting to get more choice,” he added.

Eiley pointed to Apple and Disney as two major corporations that plan to launch streaming platforms in the United States later this year.

Both companies are expected to eventually make a push into Canada, though Eiley anticipates at least Disney may secure a deal with an existing Canadian media company, similar to how Bell Media’s Crave carries HBO and Showtime programs.

Steady decline for traditional services

Traditional outlets, particularly cable TV and satellite across Canada, have seen a downturn in subscribers of roughly two per cent each year since 2015, the report said.

Last year, Canadian TV subscribers declined by 204,000, and another 253,000 cancellations are expected this year, the report says.

The Canadian adoption of streaming offerings has been much slower than in the United States, in part because Canadians have less than half the streaming options Americans do, Eiley added.

It’s one reason why many households still pay for both cable and streaming services, though even that is changing. The report estimates that about 32 per cent of Canadian households will not have a traditional TV subscription by the end of this year — an increase of about two percentage points from 2018.

Convergence Research also estimates that Canadian revenue for streaming video services grew 33 per cent to $1.12 billion, with forecasts on track for it to reach $1.51 billion in 2019.

Teck Resources profit down

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Teck Resources Ltd. topped expectations in its first-quarter even as its profit fell compared with a year ago due to lower commodity prices and higher operating costs.

The miner says it earned a profit attributable to shareholders of $630 million or $1.10 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31.

That compared with a profit of $759 million or $1.30 per diluted share a year ago.

Revenue in the quarter totalled nearly $3.11 billion, up from $3.09 billion.

On an adjusted basis, Teck says it earned $568 million or 99 cents per diluted share, down from an adjusted profit of $753 million or $1.29 per diluted share in the same quarter last year.

Analysts on average had expected a profit of 95 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters

Oilsands underestimated

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The Syncrude oil sands extraction facility is reflected in a tailings pond near the city of Fort McMurray, Alberta.

New federal research suggests greenhouse gas emissions from Alberta’s oilsands may be significantly higher than industry reports.

In a study published Tuesday, Environment Canada scientists say four major oilsands mines are releasing an average of about one-third more carbon dioxide per barrel of oil than they report — a crucial number used for everything from determining national emissions levels to calculating carbon tax.

Lead author John Liggio and his colleagues analyzed air monitoring samples captured in a series of flights above the four sites during the course of a month in 2013.

Suncor’s facility was 13 per cent over its estimated emissions.

But the emissions intensity of Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.’s Horizon and Jackpine mines averaged 37 per cent higher than they reported. And Syncrude’s Mildred Lake mine was emitting two-and-a-quarter times more of the climate change-causing gas than it told Ottawa’s pollutant registry.

“We find a pretty significant difference,” said Liggio, whose paper is published in Nature Communications.

Until now, all carbon dioxide emission estimates from the oilsands have been based on a combination of some ground measurement and a great deal of mathematical modelling — so-called bottom-up estimation.

The new study is the first to use actual field measurements taken from aerial overflights, or top-down measurements.

The findings of industry underestimation echo those of a previous Alberta study, which found methane emissions from heavy oil facilities were much higher than thought. They also agree with many other studies that have compared bottom-up to top-down.

“There’s still more work to be done,” Liggio said. “But I will say there are many, many studies using top-down approaches which have also shown that top-down (measurements) are generally higher.”

The measurements in Liggio’s paper include emissions from mining, processing, upgrading and tailings ponds.

Industry has criticized such flyover measurements for only providing a snapshot of emissions instead of long-term data.

Liggio defends his work, saying that measuring emissions against oil production evens out sudden spikes resulting from higher output.

“We’re looking at what they emit relative to what they produce,” he said.

He said his team is currently analyzing data from similar overflights conducted to measure oilsands emissions in two different seasons.

Industry has had a chance to comment on the paper, said Liggio.

“Generally, industry was positive and supportive. They do want to work together to get to the bottom of where the discrepancies are coming from.”

Liggio said the apparent problem at the four sites in the current paper could point to an issue throughout the industry. He adds the apparent underestimates occurred despite the fact the mines studied were using strict United Nation’s measurement protocols.

“The results indicate that overall (oilsands greenhouse gas) emissions may be underestimated and suggest that reporting that follows this Tier 3 approach may universally underestimate CO2 emissions,” the paper says.

Researchers don’t yet understand why top-down measurements tend to be so much higher than bottom-up estimates, Liggio said.

“In a complex facility like the oilsands, there are hundreds of sources, hundreds of stacks. It’s quite complicated.”