Archive for March, 2009

List of stem cell stocks

Monday, March 9th, 2009

Here’s a great list of companies specializing in stem cell research. The list was originally published here. Some of the companies on the original list are no longer around.

The list below is more accurate than the original.

Aastrom Biosciences Inc. (Nasdaq: ASTM)
Develops patient-specific products for the repair or regeneration of human tissues, using proprietary adult stem cell technology.

AVI Biopharma (Nasdaq: AVII)
A biopharmaceutical company developing drugs to treat life-threatening diseases using third-generation antisense technology.

BrainStorm Cell (Nasdaq: BCLI)
Developer of stem cell therapeutic products based on breakthrough technologies, including their core technology, NurOwn™.

Cord Blood America Inc. (OTCBB: CBAI)
Provides collection, testing, processing, and preservation services of the blood of umbilical cords.

CRYO-CELL (Nasdaq: CCEL)
The world’s oldest & largest family cord blood stem cell bank, for expectant parents for the private collection, processing & cryopreservation of their newborn’s non-controversial U-Cord® stem cells.

Cytori Therapeutics (Frankfurt: XMPA)
Develops proprietary cell-based therapeutics utilizing adult stem and regenerative cells derived from adipose tissue, also known as fat, and developed developed its proprietary Celution(TM) System to isolate and concentrate a patient’s own stem and regenerative cells in about an hour.
Geron (Nasdaq: GERN) Develops therapeutic products for oncology that target telomerase; pharmaceuticals that activate telomerase in tissues impacted by senescence, injury or degenerative disease; and cell-based therapies derived from its human embryonic stem cell platform for applications in multiple chronic diseases.
MultiCell (OTCBB: MCET)
Developer of therapeutic products, an adult stem cell company and a supplier of immortalized human cell lines for drug discovery applications.

Stem Cell Thera (TSX.V: SSS)
A biotechnology company focused on the development of its technology platform and intellectual property to selectively induce a patient’s own stem cells to proliferate in the brain.

Stem Cells (Nasdaq: STEM)
Developer of stem cell therapeutics to treat damage to or degeneration of major organ systems such as the central nervous system, liver and pancreas.

ThermoGenesis (Nasdaq: KOOL)
Provides Healthcare professionals with the means to micro-manufacture potentially life-saving and life-enhancing products from individual units of blood.

Buzz Stock of the day- ARAY

Thursday, March 5th, 2009


Companies with disruptive technologies always pop up on our radar. We keep a close eye on them until we start seeing some traction for their products, and then do a little more digging to see if the company has what it takes to be a Buzz Stock.

We’ve had our eye on Accuray, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARAY) for quite some time. The company’s non-invasive CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System has received recognition from both physicians, and customers as of late.

On March 2, Accuray issued a news release that announced “increased interest and continued rapid growth” for CyberKnife. According to the announcement, the number of lung cancer patients treated with CyberKnife grew 52 percent from 2007-2008 in the U.S., and 43 percent worldwide. Additionally the overall number of patients treated with CyberKnife radiosurgery grew to more than 60,000 patients – a 14 percent increase from calendar year 2007 to 2008. In late February, the stock received a 5-star rating from members of the Motley Fool’s CAPS community. The Company has a CAGR of about 52 percent over the past two years and about $110 million of cash in the bank. Currently trading at around $4.00 a share, Accuray could be a good buy at these levels.

Check out this video on CyberKnife to get a better idea of why Accuray is our Buzz Stock of the day.

Bargain Buzz Stocks–BNI, DENN and PCLN

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell below 7,000 for the first time since October 1997 today, and all eyes are on a jobs report due out Friday which could be a “shocker,” according to David Dietze, chief investment strategist at Point View Financial Services. Some economists are predicting unemployment to hit 8 percent.

It all sounds very dismal, and for the most part, it is. But there are still opportunities out there–especially for investors that take a long-term approach to investing. These days, it seems like that’s the only way to go.

David Leonhardt of the NY Times stated in his blog today:

“With today’s declines, the long-term price-earnings ratio of the Standard & Poor 500-stock index is down to about 12.3. Over the past century, this ratio has averaged about 16. So relative to corporate profits, the stock market now appears to be undervalued by about 30 percent.”

But if you look back on history, stocks may have a way to go before they truly hit bottom.

Stated Leonhardt:

“In the other two great bear markets of the past century, in the 1930s and the 1980s, the p-e ratio ultimately dropped to about 6 or 7. To get to that level now, the S&P 500 would have to drop below 400, from the current 701, and the Dow Jones industrial average would need to be below 4,000.”

Here are a few Bargain Buzz Stocks that we think are worth looking at:

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. (NYSE: BNI)
: Warren Buffet has been increasing his stake in this railroad company lately. Shares closed at $55.00 today. Great long-term investment.

Denny’s Corp. (Nasdaq: DENN): On Jan. 15, the company said it expects to meet or exceed its previous guidance for full-year 2008, thanks to the success of the Franchise Growth Initiative (FGI) and other cost-saving actions that protect margins and cash flow. The company has also restructured quite a bit, selling off a lot of its franchises, and keeping its best locations for its own portfolio.

Priceline.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: PCLN): And it’s not because we’re huge Shatner fans, either. Trading at around $82 per share, the stock above its 52-week low, but well below the high for the period of $144. The Company’s Name Your Own Price (NYOP) strategy will continue to become more attractive especially in a recessionary mode–both for travelers looking for a good deal, and hotel operators looking to unload inventory.