"The Enemy of the best is the good. If you're always settling with what's good, you'll never be the best." - Jerry Rice
Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend planned. Down in Miami we got lucky this week as Hurricane Matthew missed us but unfortunately hit our fellow Floridians up north. And, of course, being this is Florida there is a chance the hurricane could circle back around for another go which we are watching carefully.
I just want to send out a brief note on what is coming in the week ahead. We will be running our Columbus Day weekend promotion giving out free two week trials to the Biotech Forum through midnight EST on Monday. If you want to try out the second most subscribed to service from the 70 offered on SeekingAlpha's Marketplace on a totally risk-free basis, just click HERE.
Friday fellow contributor Brian Bain posted a podcast we did this week around some attractive small cap biotech & biopharma stocks that have upcoming catalysts in the next few months. It is attached here in case you missed it.
I will also be posting follow up pieces on Aratana Therapeutics (PETX) and Ophthotech (OPHT) in the next 48 hours as I have gotten quite a few requests to do so. Also in the week ahead we will see if Egalet (EGLT) gets FDA approval for ARYMO ER next Friday and as importantly if it gets the much desired "abuse deterrent" label. I posted a "deep dive" on Egalet on Friday.
Investors looking for some biotech/biopharma stocks to buy now that the biotech sector has drifted down near the bottom of a trading range that has been in place since the end of July, Redhill Biopharma (RDHL) and Lexicon Pharmaceuticals (LXRX) fit the bill. Both have been getting increasingly positive analyst mention lately, have held up very well despite the recent decline in the sector, and have important catalysts that should be positive on the horizon.
Outside of biotech, the 15 stock Insiders Forum portfolio continues to produce blistering performance. This offering was launched in late June aims to build, modify and maintain a 15 stock optimized portfolio of attractive small & mid-cap stocks insiders are currently buying across numerous industries. We just completed the initial 15 stock portfolio this week and will continue to make modifications going forward as more attractive risk/reward opportunities present themselves.
As of the market close yesterday, the portfolio as a whole is up 21.94% compared to just 1.90% our benchmark the Russell 2000 has produced. Insiders obviously are still finding bargains in what I consider at least a slightly "overbought" market. We are still giving away two-week free trials to this new service that has delivered stellar returns so far.
Fantasy Football Tips:
My Thursday - Monday Fan Duel lineups have gotten off to a huge start as they had heavy doses of David Johnson (A whopping 32 fantasy points against the 49ers) and the Cardinals D which posted a more than solid 15 fantasy points despite giving up three touchdowns.
For those that play Sunday - Monday lineups in Fan Duel or Draft Kings, a key bit of advice in week 5 is "Take Da Raiders!" as Chris Berman would say. The high scoring Silver & Black are playing at home against the Chargers who have given up 27 points a game so far this season.
In addition, Jason Verrett one of top corners in the league is out as is one of the Bolts' starting safeties. Its other top corner is banged up. The Chargers can score even as they can't hold a lead in the fourth quarter. San Diego is averaging just over 30 points a game, good for third in the league. The Raiders are also giving up over 26 points a game.
Given the Raiders starting running back is out and the Chargers D is actually in the top ten against the run, look for Derek Carr ($8,100) to have a monster game airing it out and post at least 22 fantasy points for the fourth time in five games. He is only the seventh most expensive QB on the board but he has a top three matchup.
Two other great value picks this week are Amari Cooper ($7,200) who has 20 catches but has yet to find the end zone - which should change this week. Michael Crabtree ($6,900) is ridiculously cheap given the matchup and fact he caught 3 TDs against the Ravens on the road last week. He has also posted double digit fantasy points in all four games this season. Use all three players frequently in your lineups.
Bonus Tip: Other than the Cardinals D, the best matchup for elite defenses is the Vikings ($4,700) at home against Houston. Houston was shut out by a lesser Patriots defense recently and one can make the argument that the Vikings are playing the best defense in the league one quarter the way through the season. Brock Osweiler does not do well under pressure and has thrown six picks so far this season. The Vikes have posted a gaudy 16.8 fantasy points on defense a game and are third in the league in sacks. One has to love this matchup for Minnesota at home.
Thank You & Happy Hunting
Bret Jensen
Founder, Biotech Forum & Insiders Forum