Which Stocks go up When Global Currencies Weaken vs US Dollar?



Image Credit: Pixabay (Pexels)


Global Strength in the US Dollar Is Positively Correlated to Strength in Many Stock Sectors

The last time the U.S. Dollar was this strong against other currencies was October 2002. It reached a new high today (August 22) as the expectations surrounding the annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium become more hawkish. Higher U.S. interest rates tend to place upward pressure on the dollar’s value measured against other currencies that have lower real rates (inflation less native interest rate). There are other global economic factors at play as well.


Why is the Dollar at a High

The Euro lost relative value to the U.S. currency over the past month after Russia announced a three-day halt to European gas supplies flowing through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. Europe is already experiencing an energy crisis that is inflating all related costs. Higher inflation weakens a currency against those with lower or no inflation.

Away from Europe, the world’s second-largest economy, China saw its Yuan sink to its lowest level in almost two years after the Chinese central bank cut key lending rates. China has been easing policy to shore up its weakened state related to its response to Covid-19 and crashing real estate values.


Source: Koyfin


US Stocks and a Strong Dollar

What does a rising dollar mean for stocks? The short answer is, as the value of the U.S. dollar rises in relationship to global currencies, the U.S. stock indexes statistically have risen along with it.

Over the last 20 years, the S&P 500 index has shown a positive correlation to the dollar about 40% of the time. While this may not seem huge, in stock market indicator terms, it is better than most and would be better if some sectors were excluded or given less weight. 

As with most everything else, the value of something will tend to rise with increasing scarcity or increased demand. The demand for the dollar has been increasing as the U.S. is perceived to have one of the stronger, safer economies relative to our trading partners. Additionally, as real rates are expected to continue to rise in the U.S., overseas investors will flock to dollars which they may then store in dollar-denominated assets, which adds to demand. 

What sectors have the highest propensity for positive returns? One obvious answer is companies that rely on imports. This is because they have an advantage when the U.S. dollar is strong. One caveat, many retailers that import their goods have been under a lot of strain because of built-up or mistimed
inventories
. Manufacturing businesses that rely heavily on raw materials or commodities and get these products from overseas (steal, semi-precious metals, minerals, etc.) will benefit from paying in or exchanging from the stronger currency. This has the impact of reducing relative costs and helping the bottom line. Stocks do better with a growing bottom line.

Investors should be more cautious with companies that sell their products internationally. If there are alternative suppliers available to them that transact in non-dollars, these companies’ sales could suffer.

Companies that buy and sell only in dollars will not have the price advantage that importers do, but they avoid exchange rate factors altogether. Utilities and regional banks are on this list. A word of caution as interest rates are moving upward, utility stocks known for their dividends may begin to compete less effectively with bonds. Also, banks will generally earn more with a steep yield curve; this has been elusive so far in this tightening cycle.

Some investors increase the number of small companies on their watch list. This is because, as a rule, their sales are domestic, while they may or may not import. Large companies tend to transact internationally. Small-cap stocks are not typically at the multinational stage yet. Use the data available on Channelchek to better understand whether the small company stock you are interested in imports or exports internationally.


Take Away

There are many factors that move the market up or down. And there are factors that impact specific industries and individual stocks. Statistically, a stronger U.S. dollar is positive for US stocks. Companies that import could fair even better. Stocks least affected by currency shifts include utilities, regional banks, and small-caps in almost all industries. Each company should be vetted separately, but minimizing headwinds is a good step toward successful investing.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

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Sources

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/22/forex-markets-dollar-federal-reserve-jackson-hole-monetary-policy.html

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/06/usdollarcorrelation.asp

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-62629144


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Release – Tonix Pharmaceuticals Initiates Enrollment in Phase 2 PREVAIL Study of TNX-102 SL for the Treatment of Long COVID



Tonix Pharmaceuticals Initiates Enrollment in Phase 2 PREVAIL Study of TNX-102 SL for the Treatment of Long COVID

Research, News, and Market Data on Tonix Pharmaceuticals

August 22, 2022 7:00am EDT

Results from Planned Interim Analysis Expected
First Half 2023

Long COVID Afflicts More Than 30% of Patients
Following Infection with SARS-CoV-2, the Virus that Causes COVID-19, and is
Expected to be a Global Health Burden

Concerning Rate of Opioid Use Observed in Long
COVID Patients with Multi-Site Pain

CHATHAM, N.J., Aug. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix or the Company), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the first participant was enrolled in the Phase 2 PREVAIL study of TNX-102 SL1 as a potential treatment for a subset of patients with Long COVID syndrome (Long COVID) whose symptoms overlap with fibromyalgia. Long COVID is known officially as Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)2.

“We are pleased to be starting a Phase 2 clinical study in this indication which is a growing problem and for which no drug is currently approved. We believe Long COVID, characterized by multi-site pain, fatigue and sleep disturbance, has features of central sensitization syndromes similar to fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is considered one of the clusters of chronic overlapping pain conditions that have much in common with Long COVID,” said Seth Lederman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tonix Pharmaceuticals. “Findings from our retrospective observational database study in over 50,000 Long COVID patients showed that more than 40% of Long COVID patients in the sample have fibromyalgia-like multi-site pain symptoms, suggesting that we should be able to recruit a robust cohort of participants to test the effects of TNX-102 SL in treating this condition. Our experience with TNX-102 SL in fibromyalgia is the motivation for undertaking the development of TNX-102 SL in patients with Long COVID whose symptoms overlap with fibromyalgia. We recognize the need to better understand and develop treatment for Long COVID.”

“This retrospective observational database study also revealed the rate of opioid use in Long COVID patients,” said Greg Sullivan, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Tonix Pharmaceuticals. “Opioid use was noted in 36% of Long COVID patients with multi-site pain symptoms relative to 19% of Long COVID patients without multi-site pain. In those with multi-site pain, opioid use increased to 39% of patients when fatigue was present, and 50% when insomnia was present. We look forward to continuing to progress this study with the goal of developing a non-addictive, centrally acting analgesic which potentially treats not only pain but also the sleep disturbance and fatigue that are common in Long COVID.”

About the Phase 2 PREVAIL
Study

The Phase 2 PREVAIL study is 14-week double-blind, randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TNX-102 SL taken daily at bedtime in patients with multi-site pain associated with post-acute sequelae of SARS-COV-2 infection (PASC). The trial is being conducted at approximately 30 sites in the U.S. and is expected to enroll approximately 470 patients (235 per arm) who will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to treatment with TNX-102 SL or placebo tablets. The primary efficacy endpoint will be changed from baseline in the weekly average of daily self-reported worst pain intensity scores at the Week 14 endpoint. Key secondary efficacy endpoints include change from baseline in self-reported scores for sleep disturbance, fatigue and cognitive function. An interim analysis is expected to be completed after the first 50% of enrolled patients have completed the study for the purpose of possible sample size re-estimation or to stop the study early for efficacy, currently anticipated in the first half of 2023.

For more information, see ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05472090.

About Long COVID or
Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)

Although most people recover from COVID-19 within weeks of the acute illness, a substantial portion develop a chronic syndrome called Long COVID. These individuals experience a constellation of disabling symptoms long past the time of recovery from acute COVID-19. Most Long COVID patients who have been studied appear to have cleared the SARS-CoV-2 infection from their systems. The symptoms of Long COVID can include fatigue, sleep disorders, multi-site pain, fevers, shortness of breath, cognitive impairment described as “brain fog” or memory disturbance, gastrointestinal symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Long COVID can persist for many months and can range in severity from mild to incapacitating. Several cohort studies have reported that persistence of symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection occurs in more than 30% of patients.3-5 While typically associated with moderate or severe COVID-19, Long COVID can occur after mild COVID-19 or even after asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with Long COVID are sometimes referred to as “long-haulers”. Long COVID is a chronic disabling condition that is expected to result in a significant global health and economic burden.4-7 In response to the urgent need for therapies that address Long COVID, Congress awarded $1.15 billion to the National Institutes of Health to study Long COVID in December 2020.8 While the vaccines available in the U.S. through either FDA approval or under Emergency Use Authorization have been shown to prevent acute COVID, their ability to prevent Long COVID is unknown. There is currently no approved drug for the treatment of Long COVID.

1TNX-102 SL is an
investigational new drug and has not been approved for any indication.

2Feb. 24, 2021 – White
House COVID-19 Response Team press briefing; Feb 25, 2021 – policy brief from
the World Health Organization on long COVID.

3Harris, H, et
al. Tonix data on file. 2022

4Briggs, A, and Vassall,
A. (2021) “Count the cost of disability caused by COVID-19.” Nature
593(7860): 502-505.

5Nittas V, et al. (2022)
“Long COVID Through a Public Health Lens: An Umbrella Review.” Public
Health Rev. 43:1604501. Published 2022 Mar 15. doi:10.3389/phrs.2022.1604501

6Davis, HE., et al. (2021)
“Characterizing long COVID in an international cohort: 7 months of
symptoms and their impact.” EClinicalMedicine 38: 101019.

7Martin C, et al. (2021)
“A model framework for projecting the prevalence and impact of Long-COVID in
the UK.” PLoS One. 16(12):e0260843. Published 2021 Dec
2. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0260843

8The NIH provision of
Title III Health and Human Services, Division M–Coronavirus Response and
Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021, of H.R. 133, The Consolidated
Appropriations Act of 2021. The bill was enacted into law on 27 December 2020,
becoming Public Law 116-260.

About TNX-102 SL

TNX-102 SL is a patented sublingual tablet formulation of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride which provides rapid transmucosal absorption and reduced production of a long half-life active metabolite, norcyclobenzaprine, due to bypass of first-pass hepatic metabolism. As a multifunctional agent with potent binding and antagonist activities at the serotonin-5-HT2A, ?1-adrenergic, histaminergic-H1, and muscarinic-M1 receptors, TNX-102 SL is in clinical development as a daily bedtime treatment for Long COVID, fibromyalgia, PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and agitation in Alzheimer’s disease. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued United States Patent No. 9636408 in May 2017, Patent No. 9956188 in May 2018, Patent No. 10117936 in November 2018, Patent No. 10,357,465 in July 2019, and Patent No. 10736859 in August 2020. The Protectic™ protective eutectic and Angstro-Technology™ formulation claimed in these patents are important elements of Tonix’s proprietary TNX-102 SL composition. These patents are expected to provide TNX-102 SL, upon NDA approval, with U.S. market exclusivity until 2034/2035.

Tonix Pharmaceuticals
Holding Corp.
*

Tonix is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, licensing, acquiring and developing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate suffering. Tonix’s portfolio is composed of central nervous system (CNS), rare disease, immunology and infectious disease product candidates. Tonix’s CNS portfolio includes both small molecules and biologics to treat pain, neurologic, psychiatric and addiction conditions. Tonix’s lead CNS candidate, TNX-102 SL (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablet), is in mid-Phase 3 development for the management of fibromyalgia with a new Phase 3 study launched in the second quarter of 2022 and interim data expected in the first quarter of 2023. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat Long COVID, a chronic post-acute COVID-19 condition. Tonix initiated a Phase 2 study in Long COVID in the third quarter of 2022 and expects interim data in the first half of 2023. TNX-1300 (cocaine esterase) is a biologic designed to treat cocaine intoxication and has been granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA. A Phase 2 study of TNX-1300 is expected to be initiated in the fourth quarter of 2022. TNX-1900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin), a small molecule in development for chronic migraine, is expected to enter the clinic with a Phase 2 study in the first half of 2023. Tonix’s rare disease portfolio includes TNX-2900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin) for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome. TNX-2900 has been granted Orphan Drug designation by the FDA. Tonix’s immunology portfolio includes biologics to address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity and cancer, including TNX-1500, which is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting CD40-ligand (CD40L or CD154) being developed for the prevention of allograft and xenograft rejection and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. A Phase 1 study of TNX-1500 is expected to be initiated in the first half of 2023. Tonix’s infectious disease pipeline consists of a vaccine in development to prevent smallpox and monkeypox, next-generation vaccines to prevent COVID-19, and a platform to make fully human monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19. TNX-801, Tonix’s vaccine in development to prevent smallpox and monkeypox, also serves as the live virus vaccine platform or recombinant pox vaccine (RPV) platform for other infectious diseases. A Phase 1 study of TNX-801 is expected to be initiated in Kenya in the first half of 2023. Tonix’s lead vaccine candidate for COVID-19 is TNX-1850, a live virus vaccines based on Tonix’s recombinant pox live virus vector vaccine platform. A Phase 1 study of the COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be initiated in the second half of 2023.

*All
of Tonix’s product candidates are investigational new drugs or
biologics and have not been approved for any indication.

This press release and further information about Tonix can be found at www.tonixpharma.com.

Forward Looking
Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Tonix’s current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks related to the failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations; delays and uncertainties caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic; risks related to the timing and progress of clinical development of our product candidates; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payor reimbursement; limited research and development efforts and dependence upon third parties; and substantial competition. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. Tonix does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 14, 2022, and periodic reports filed with the SEC on or after the date thereof. All of Tonix’s forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date thereof.

Contacts

Jessica Morris (corporate)

Tonix Pharmaceuticals
investor.relations@tonixpharma.com

(862) 904-8182

Olipriya Das, Ph.D. (media)

Russo Partners
Olipriya.Das@russopartnersllc.com

(646) 942-5588

Peter Vozzo (investors)
ICR Westwicke
peter.vozzo@westwicke.com

(443) 213-0505


Primary Logo

Source: Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.

Released
August 22, 2022


Mapping the Body’s Natural Regenerative Process



Image Credit: NIH


Tissue Model Reveals Key Players in Liver Regeneration

Anne Trafton | MIT News
Office

The human liver has amazing regeneration capabilities: Even if up to 70 percent of it is removed, the remaining tissue can regrow a full-sized liver within months.

Taking advantage of this regenerative capability could give doctors many more options for treating chronic liver disease. MIT engineers have now taken a step toward that goal, by creating a new liver tissue model that allows them to trace the steps involved in liver regeneration more precisely than has been possible before.

The new model can yield information that couldn’t be gleaned from studies of mice or other animals, whose biology is not identical to that of humans, says Sangeeta Bhatia, the leader of the research team.

“For years, people have been identifying different genes that seem to be involved in mouse liver regeneration, and some of them seem to be important in humans, but they have never managed to figure out all of the cues to make human liver cells proliferate,” says Bhatia, the John and Dorothy Wilson Professor of Health Sciences and Technology and of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT and a member of MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Institute for Medical Engineering and Science.

The new study, which appears this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has identified one molecule that appears to play a key role, and also yielded several other candidates that the researchers plan to explore further.

The lead author of the paper is Arnav Chhabra, a former MIT graduate student and postdoc.


Regeneration on a Chip

Most of the patients who need liver transplants suffer from chronic illnesses such as viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or cancer. However, if researchers had a reliable way to stimulate the liver to regenerate on its own, some transplants could be avoided, Bhatia says. Or, such stimulation might be used to help a donated liver grow after being transplanted.

From studies in mice, researchers have learned a great deal about some of the regeneration pathways that are activated after liver injury or illness. One key factor is the reciprocal relationship between hepatocytes (the main type of cell found in the liver) and endothelial cells, which line the blood vessels. Hepatocytes produce factors that help blood vessels develop, and endothelial cells generate growth factors that help hepatocytes proliferate.

Another contributor that researchers have identified is fluid flow in the blood vessels. In mice, an increase in blood flow can stimulate the endothelial cells to produce signals that promote regeneration.

To model all of these interactions, Bhatia’s lab teamed up with Christopher Chen, the William F. Warren Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Boston University, who designs microfluidic devices with channels that mimic blood vessels. To create these models of “regeneration on a chip,” the researchers grew blood vessels along one of these microfluidic channels and then added multicellular spheroid aggregates derived from liver cells from human organ donors.

The chip is designed so that molecules such as growth factors can flow between the blood vessels and the liver spheroids. This setup also allows the researchers to easily knock out genes of interest in a specific cell type and then see how it affects the overall system.

Using this system, the researchers showed that increased fluid flow on its own did not stimulate hepatocytes to enter the cell division cycle. However, if they also delivered an inflammatory signal (the cytokine IL-1-beta), hepatocytes did enter the cell cycle.

When that happened, the researchers were able to measure what other factors were being produced. Some were expected based on earlier mouse studies, but others had not been seen before in human cells, including a molecule called prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).

The MIT team found high levels of this molecule, which is also involved in zebrafish regeneration, in their liver regeneration system. By knocking out the gene for PGE2 biosynthesis in endothelial cells, the researchers were able to show that those cells are the source of PGE2, and they also demonstrated that this molecule stimulates human liver cells to enter the cell cycle.


Human-Specific Pathways

The researchers now plan to further explore some of the other growth factors and molecules that are produced on their chip during liver regeneration.

“We can look at the proteins that are being produced and ask, what else on this list has the same pattern as the other molecules that stimulate cell division, but is novel?” Bhatia says. “We think we can use this to discover new human-specific pathways.”

In this study, the researchers focused on molecules that stimulate cells to enter cell division, but they now hope to follow the process further along and identify molecules needed to complete the cell cycle. They also hope to discover the signals that tell the liver when to stop regenerating.

Bhatia hopes that eventually researchers will be able to harness these molecules to help treat patients with liver failure. Another possibility is that doctors could use such factors as biomarkers to determine how likely it is that a patient’s liver will regrow on its own.

“Right now when patients come in with liver failure, you have to transplant them because you don’t know if they’re going to recover on their own. But if we knew who had a robust regenerative response, and if we just needed to stabilize them for a little while, we could spare those patients from transplant,” Bhatia says.

The research was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, Wellcome Leap, and the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship Program.

 

Reprinted with the permission  MIT News http://news.mit.edu/

Virtual Roadshow – August 23 Lineage Cell Therapeutics – Brian M. Culley, CEO

Join Lineage Cell Therapeutics CEO Brian M. Culley for this exclusive corporate presentation, followed by a Q & A session moderated by Robert LeBoyer, Noble’s senior research analyst, featuring questions taken from the audience. Registration is free and open to all investors, at any level

Register Now

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The Gene Therapy Space May be Blossoming



Image Credit: The Focal Project (Flickr)


Sixteen Years After the Human Genome Project Completion, Regenerative Medicine May Hit its Stride

Bluebird Bio’s performance this past week shows what the power of FDA approval can do when a biotech company gets the green light. Not only did investors enjoy a 51.7% increase in the gene therapy company’s stock price, but patients can now overcome a severe genetic disease. Gene therapies and regenerative medicine are now beginning to blossom, 16 years after the last human chromosome was mapped, completing the human genome project. Quite a few specialized biotech companies have been started within the past 16 years, and many have a product pipeline in various stages of FDA approval. Below is information on Bluebird and two other public companies involved in genetic medicine that you may want to pay attention to.


Source: Koyfin


Bluebird Bio (BLUE)

Bluebird Bio’s blood disorder gene therapy was approved a few days earlier than anticipated. The approval of Zynteglo is exciting for those whose lives will be changed by the gene therapy, investors that have had confidence in the surrounding science, and of course, everyone working at Bluebird bio. Congratulations.

A downside to the FDA approval is that the therapy for betibeglogene autotemcel (beti-cel), will initially cost $2.8 million for those receiving it. More positively, the pediatric and adult patients that will benefit have been requiring ongoing red blood cell transfusions. Zynteglo is a one-time gene therapy, so those afflicted can receive transfusion independence.


Lineage Cell Therapeutics (LCTX)

Lineage Cell Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech company developing new cellular therapies for degenerative retinal diseases, neurological conditions associated with demyelination, and helping the body fight cancer. At the company’s core are two proprietary technology platforms: cell replacement and cell and drug delivery. Its cell replacement platform creates new cells and tissues with its pluripotent and progenitor cell technologies. The company’s cell and drug delivery programs are based upon its proprietary HyStem cell and drug delivery matrix technology.

There is no better way for any investor to develop an understanding of a biotech company in the regenerative medicine or gene therapy space than to have its products and pipeline explained to them by the CEO. Channelchek and Noble Capital Markets have arranged for an online interactive roadshow (bring your questions) for interested investors to attend. This will be held on Tuesday (August 23). More information is available here.


Miromatrix (MIRO)

Miromatrix is a company that may one day eliminate waitlists for organ transplants. The company claims to lead the development of bioengineered organs for transplantation with over 118 issued patents worldwide. The technology is able to be applied across many of needs. Specifically, they are currently focused on creating transplantable kidneys (MiroKidney) and livers (MiroLiver) with expectations to also bioengineer other critical organs like lungs, pancreas, and heart.

The decellularization technology is supported through pre-clinical and animal studies that the FDA cleared in previously commercialized matrix products. The company’s bioengineered organs have the potential to eliminate ongoing therapies and prolong life. They also are expected to reduce costs across many areas of the healthcare system. 


Take Away

The FDA approval of Zynteglo for Bluebird Bio and the stock performance was a reminder this week of the potential for companies in the regenerative medicine space to make a difference. It has been 16 years since the human genome project was completed. Many of these companies were started shortly after; perhaps their research and development are about to pay off.

Explore more companies like BLUE, LCTX, and MIRO by registering for Channelchek and exploring under the “COMPANY Data” tab.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

Virtual Roadshow – August 23 Lineage Cell Therapeutics – Brian M. Culley, CEO

Join Lineage Cell Therapeutics CEO Brian M. Culley for this exclusive corporate presentation, followed by a Q & A session moderated by Robert LeBoyer, Noble’s senior research analyst, featuring questions taken from the audience. Registration is free and open to all investors, at any level

Register Now

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Source

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Genome_Project#History

https://www.zynteglo.com/

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Stem Holdings, Inc. (STMH) – Terminating Research Coverage

Friday, August 19, 2022

Stem Holdings, Inc. (STMH)
Terminating Research Coverage

Stem is a multi-state, vertically integrated, cannabis company that, through its subsidiaries and its investments, is engaged in the cultivation, processing, packaging, distribution and branding of cannabis, hemp and their derivatives, including oils, edibles, concentrates. Additionally, the Company purchases, improves, leases, operates, and invests in properties for use in the production, distribution and sales of cannabis and cannabis-infused products licensed under the laws of the states of Oregon, Nevada, California, Massachusetts, and New York. As of December 31, 2021, Stem had ownership interests in 24 state-issued cannabis licenses including nine (9) licenses for cannabis cultivation, three (3) licenses for cannabis processing, two (2) licenses for cannabis wholesale distribution, three (3) licenses for hemp production and seven (7) cannabis dispensary licenses.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Termination of Research Coverage. We are terminating research coverage of Stem Holdings, Inc. due to a reallocation of resources. Effective upon termination of coverage, investors should no longer rely on any of our prior research, financial estimates, or ratings for the Company.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Release – Aurania Announces Marketing Services Agreement



Aurania Announces Marketing Services Agreement

Research, News, and Market Data on Aurania Resources

Toronto, Ontario, August 18,
2022 – Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU; OTCQB: AUIAF; Frankfurt: 20Q)
(“Aurania” or the “Company”) 
is pleased to announce an agreement with SRC Swiss Resource Capital AG of Herisau, Switzerland, (“SRC”) to provide investor relations services to the Company, subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSX-V”).

SRC will provide investor relations services to increase exposure to and awareness of Aurania within the German-speaking financial community (“IR Services”), including, but not be limited to:

?          Translate information and press releases into German

?          Disseminate information and news about Aurania to existing and potential shareholders        through SRC’s own website and press agency and through other websites and media

?          Write and disseminate articles and editorials about Aurania

?          Respond directly to shareholder and interested party inquiries

?          Cause videos, pictures, and footage provided by Aurania to be broadcast on the Commodity-TV and Rohstoff-TV television channels

?          Publish audio-visual information about Aurania on YouTube and other social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn

The agreement with SRC has a term of approximately five months, for which they will be paid a fee of 5,000 CHF over a period of five months with any additional services for roadshows or events incurring separate fees on a case-by-case basis. The Company will also grant SRC 35,000 stock options with each stock option exercisable into one common share of the Company at a price of $0.84 CAD, vesting in quarters with ¼ vesting on the date of grant, ¼ vesting six months from the date of grant, ¼ vesting at the one-year anniversary from the date of grant, and ¼ vesting at the two-year anniversary from the date of grant. The options will expire on August 18, 2027.  SRC currently has beneficial ownership over approximately 100,000 common shares of the Company.

About Aurania

Aurania is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, evaluation, acquisition and exploration of mineral property interests, with a focus on precious metals and copper in South America.  Its flagship asset, The Lost Cities – Cutucu Project, is located in the Jurassic Metallogenic Belt in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range of southeastern Ecuador.

Information on Aurania and technical reports are available at www.aurania.com and www.sedar.com, as well as on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/auranialtd/, Twitter at  https://twitter.com/auranialtd, and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/aurania-resources-ltd-.

For further information, please contact:

Carolyn Muir

VP Investor Relations

Aurania Resources Ltd.

(416) 367-3200

carolyn.muir@aurania.com

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information as such term is defined in applicable securities laws, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management’s current expectations and assumptions. The forward-looking information includes statements about: Investor Relations Activities (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) to be performed by SRC and the anticipated approval of the TSX-V for said activities, Aurania’s objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the corporation’s portfolio, treasury, management team and enhanced capital markets profile, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to Aurania, including the assumption that, there will be no material adverse change in metal prices, all necessary consents, licenses, permits and approvals will be obtained, including various local government licenses and the market. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking information include, among other things, a failure to obtain or delays in obtaining the required regulatory licenses, permits, approvals and consents, an inability to access financing as needed, a general economic downturn, a volatile stock price, labour strikes, political unrest, changes in the mining regulatory regime governing Aurania, a failure to comply with environmental regulations and a weakening of market and industry reliance on precious metals and copper. Aurania cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive.

 


Grindrod Shipping (GRIN) – Another strong quarter

Friday, August 19, 2022

Grindrod Shipping (GRIN)
Another strong quarter

Grindrod Shipping operates a fleet of owned and long-term and short-term chartered-in drybulk vessels predominantly in the handysize and supramax/ultramax segments. The drybulk business, which operates under the brand “Island View Shipping” (“IVS”), includes a Core Fleet of 31 vessels consisting of 15 handysize drybulk carriers and 16 supramax/ultramax drybulk carriers. The Company also owns one medium range product tanker on bareboat charter. The Company is based in Singapore, with offices in London, Durban, Tokyo, Cape Town and Rotterdam. Grindrod Shipping is listed on NASDAQ under the ticker “GRIN” and on the JSE under the ticker “GSH”.

Michael Heim, CFA, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Second quarter financial results come in above expectations. Grindrod Shipping reported above-expectation financial results for the most recent quarter boosted by higher-than-expected shipping rates and lower daily operating costs. Reported revenues for the quarter were $161.6 million including $30 million from the sale of a ship. Average TCE rates increased compared to first-quarter rates and surpassed our expectations. This wasn’t just a top-line story. Equally impressive, operating costs per day declined, bucking a trend seen by other shippers. Administrative expense also declined.

The upcoming third quarter might not surpass the second quarter, but it will still be good. Shipping rates have come down in recent months. That said, Grindrod has locked in about 70% of its shipping days at rates not too far below the second quarter. We would expect third quarter revenues to be slightly below second quarter results absent revenues from ship sale revenues….

This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Release – Avivagen Announces New Dairy Customer in Mexico



Avivagen Announces New Dairy Customer in Mexico

Research, News, and Market Data on Avivagen

  • Family-owned dairy business with established reputation for high-quality products turning to OxC-betaTM to support quality of milk
  • Order procured through Meyenberg International, Avivagen’s Mexican distribution partner

Ottawa, ON /Business Wire/ August 19, 2022 /– Avivagen Inc.  (TSXV:VIV, OTCQB:VIVXF) (“Avivagen”), a life sciences corporation focused on developing and commercializing products for livestock, companion animal and human applications that safely enhances feed intake and supports immune function, thereby supporting general health and performance, is pleased to announce it has secured a promising new customer in the Mexican dairy industry.  The agreement will see the customer order 220 kg/month of OxC-betaTM over a three-month period, beginning in September 2022.

“This new agreement represents the continued expansion of OxC-beta™ use within the dairy industry, a key growth market for Avivagen due to its size and positive economics,” said Kym Anthony, Chief Executive Officer, Avivagen Inc. “Mexico remains an important geographic region for us. We are excited about the potential for this first dairy order in the country to lead to others in this vital industry.”

The new customer, based in the Jalisco State region of Mexico, is a thirty-year old, family-owned business with a history of supplying high quality dairy products. The order follows a thorough assessment by the customer of numerous trials previously conducted in Mexico with OxC-beta™, resulting in higher quality milk and yields across a range of important metrics.

About Avivagen
Avivagen is a life sciences corporation focused on developing and commercializing products for livestock, companion animal and human applications that, by safely supporting immune function, promote general health and performance.  It is a public corporation traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol VIV and is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, based in partnership facilities of the National Research Council of Canada. For more information, visit www.avivagen.com. The contents of the website are expressly not incorporated by reference in this press release.

About OxC-beta™ Technology and OxC-beta™ Livestock
Avivagen’s OxC-beta™ technology is derived from Avivagen discoveries about ?-carotene and other carotenoids, compounds that give certain fruits and vegetables their bright colours. Through support of immune function the technology provides a non-antibiotic means of promoting health and growth. OxC-beta™ Livestock is a proprietary product shown to be an effective and economic alternative to the antibiotics commonly added to livestock feeds. The product is currently available for sale in the United States, Philippines, Mexico, Taiwan, New Zealand, Thailand, Brazil, Australia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Avivagen’s OxC-beta™ Livestock product is safe, effective and could fulfill the global mandate to remove all in-feed antibiotics as growth promoters. Numerous international livestock trials with poultry and swine using OxC-beta™ Livestock have proven that the product performs as well as, and, sometimes, in some aspects, better than in-feed antibiotics.

 

Forward Looking Statements
This
news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon
the current expectations of management. Forward-looking statements involve
risks and uncertainties associated with the business of Avivagen Inc. and the
environment in which the business operates. Any statements contained herein
that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be
forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions “aim”,
“anticipate”, “appear”, “believe”, “consider”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”,
“if”, “intend”, “goal”, “hope”, “likely”, “may”, “plan”, “possibly”,
“potentially”, “pursue”, “seem”, “should”, “whether”, “will”, “would” and
similar expressions.

Statements set out in this news release relating to the future
growth and prospects for Avivagen, the potential for additional orders for
Avivagen’s products, future shipments and the possibility for OxC-beta™
Livestock to replace antibiotics in livestock feeds as growth promoters are
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to
differ materially from current expectations. For instance, Avivagen’s products
may not gain market acceptance or regulatory approval in new jurisdictions or
for new applications and may not be widely accepted as a replacement for
antibiotics as growth promoters in livestock feeds due to many factors, many of
which are outside of Avivagen’s control.  Orders may be cancelled for many
reasons outside of Avivagen’s control.   Readers are referred to the
risk factors associated with the business of Avivagen set out in Avivagen’s most
recent management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition available at 
www.SEDAR.com. Except as required by law, Avivagen
assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update
the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the
forward-looking statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information:

Avivagen Inc.

Drew Basek
Director of Investor Relations
100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6 Phone: 416-540-0733
E-mail: 
d.basek@avivagen.com

Kym Anthony
Chief Executive Officer
100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6 Head Office Phone: 613-949-8164

Website: 
www.avivagen.com
Copyright © 2022 Avivagen Inc. OxC-beta™ is a trademark of Avivagen Inc.

 


Comstock Inc. (LODE) – Reaching a Critical Stage

Friday, August 19, 2022

Comstock Inc. (LODE)
Reaching a Critical Stage

Comstock (NYSE: LODE) innovates technologies that contribute to global decarbonization and circularity by efficiently converting under-utilized natural resources into renewable fuels and electrification products that contribute to balancing global uses and emissions of carbon. The Company intends to achieve exponential growth and extraordinary financial, natural, and social gains by building, owning, and operating a fleet of advanced carbon neutral extraction and refining facilities, by selling an array of complimentary process solutions and related services, and by licensing selected technologies to qualified strategic partners. To learn more, please visit www.comstock.inc.

Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Accelerated path to commercialization. Comstock Inc. is marketing its cellulosic ethanol production technology to existing first-generation corn ethanol facilities for upgrades to and construction of co-located commercial scale cellulosic ethanol production facilities to convert forestry waste and other forms of lignocellulosic biomass into cellulosic ethanol at improved yield and cost when compared to corn. Ethanol, made from corn starch from kernels is currently the most significant biofuel in the United States. Comstock’s first bio-intermediate is a purified form of cellulosic sugar which may be used as a chemically identical “drop-in” feedstock in corn ethanol facilities to produce about eighty gallons of advanced cellulosic ethanol per dry ton of woody biomass.

Economics expected to drive interest. Based on current market conditions and prices, Comstock estimates that a 100-million-gallon corn ethanol producer that upgrades its facility to produce an additional twenty million gallons of cellulosic ethanol could increase revenue by more than 30%. This is based on incentives available under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s renewable fuels standards program which assigns renewable identification numbers (RINs) to each gallon of renewable fuel produced or imported into the United States, along with incentives provided by states like California that have enacted low carbon fuels standards….

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

MustGrow Biologics Corp. (MGROF) – Extending an Agreement

Friday, August 19, 2022

MustGrow Biologics Corp. (MGROF)
Extending an Agreement

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Sumitomo Extension. MustGrow announced Wednesday that the Company has extended the option with Sumitomo for exclusive testing with MustGrow’s technology on potatoes and bananas in North, Central, and South America. The Company did not disclose the length of the extension.

Positive Results. During Sumitomo’s use of MustGrow’s mustard-based products for preplant soil fumigation, bioherbicide, and postharvest and food preservation, Sumitomo’s efforts have shown positive levels of efficacy in comparison to certain synthetic chemical standards. With the extension, Sumitomo will to continue to drive all field development, along with regulatory and market assessment work for commercialization. We believe this to be a testament to the safeness and efficacy of MustGrow’s technology and believe this to be a step forward towards seeing top-line revenue….

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

What Quality Equity Research and Dating Apps Have in Common



Image Credit: Jill Hoffman-Cuyar


Why Investors and Public Companies Rely on Company-Sponsored Research

Would you meet with someone from a dating app if they did not provide a clear photo?

Regardless of how fulfilling the future may have become with the person or how great they may or may not look, statistically, we know, without a clear picture,  the person is going to get passed over by all except for the greatest risk takers.

It’s easy to understand why even the least appealing dating site profiles with a clear image will attract more interest than the profile without a clear and updated picture. Similarly, product reviews on Amazon serve the seller. If there are two similar products, one with average reviews and another with no review, consumers are more likely to take a shot at the one with more available information – especially third-party reviews – even if the item has a higher price.

Small, lesser-known stocks also need a clear picture to attract broad attention. The broader the attention, the more potential suitors. This is why companies without a  clear picture or without an experienced third-party analysis cause investors to quickly “swipe left.” 

A stock with low third-party analysis available doesn’t serve the company well and is frustrating to investors with positions they may not be getting a fair valuation or adequate liquidity on.


Company Research

Equity research and analysis of a company from analysts known for their experience, industry knowledge, and integrity, provide a picture for investors. As mentioned earlier, without a picture, far less attention is paid. Companies with updated research will increase the number of investors looking at their stock because investors will feel they have more insight and understanding.

Company research is different than company information. Publicly traded companies are required to provide quarterly information to the public. This includes most categories of small-cap stocks and microcaps that are traded over-the-counter (OTC) and trading on a regulated exchange. These SEC-required reports provide a basis for investors to look back on company-provided data. When this financial data is compared to historical trends, weighed against industry growth and ratios, then subjected to “what-if” scenarios, the information derived becomes analysis.

To be deemed research, the analysis is put under a spotlight along with evaluating the strength of management, intangible assets such as patents, market positioning, and a variety of other considerations.


Importance for Smaller Companies

Awareness of the investment opportunities smaller companies represent is typically low. The stocks just aren’t talked about in mainstream financial news. For this reason, companies with a low market capitalization can benefit from any quality research published on their companies, their products, and their economic prospects. This is because any publication which provides a heightened understanding of a company may create interest that leads to added liquidity and aids the market’s price discovery of the stocks’ best valuation.


A Relatively New Gap to Fill

In the past, small and micro-cap companies have benefited from coverage at research departments of broker/dealers that had the capacity to provide investor research. The motivation for these research departments to provide in-depth expensive research was often to act as a door opener for other lines of financial business (quid-pro-quo). While this introduced some risk of compromised integrity, the practice of those that sell stocks (sell-side) providing analysis was common.

What could go wrong with investors relying on research from the company that sells the stock that is researched? Everyone involved in the markets in 2002 or who has read up on market history knows the Enron story. Enron was highly rated by sell-side analysts right up until the week the company collapsed. The event suddenly brought the sell-side research “conflict of interest” to the front pages. 

The New York Times reported: Lawmakers investigating the collapse of Enron turned their attention to Wall Street today, criticizing financial analysts for continuing to urge investors to buy Enron stock even as the company headed toward bankruptcy. Several members of Congress suggested that Wall Street firms’ hunger for investment banking business and other conflicts kept them from leveling with investors.” (NYT 2/27/02) 

The Wall Street Journal echoed The Time’s sentiment: “Some financial firms have said they felt obliged to participate in the partnerships in order to remain in the running for underwriting assignments from Enron.” (WSJ 2/8/02) “Complimentary” broker/dealer research of smaller companies pose a similar risk, however, when problems occur for investors, they are unlikely to get the attention of large news outlets.

So complimentary research and analysis ran the risk of being partial. And only when a big company failed did the media and lawmakers take notice. This began to open the door to research that was subscribed to and paid for directly by investors. Larger investors that could afford it might still review sell-side research, but the research they paid for was less likely to have an undeserved positive bias. 

Reduced Research Available

For small and microcap companies, both the sell-side research and the paid-for research began to get much less interest as investors changed their focus. 

One overshadowing reason complimentary small company coverage dropped off and quality paid for research became less sought after by investors is that index fund popularity increased. That is, the popularity of investment funds that are managed with the objective of providing returns mimicking a stock index was being advertised as the ideal way to gain diversified exposure to “the market.”  These indexed Mutual Funds (MF) and Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) provide close tracking of an equity index largely by owning the companies within the index. Individual stock selection became less common. This reduced research coverage has shut out companies and particularly hurt those not in a major index. As important, it lessened the number of stock pickers, as many money managers and self-directed investors instead became index pickers. 

From the point of view of investors reviewing stocks and looking to get involved with “the next big thing,”  there was less information to go by. Arguably worse, there were and are still many companies, some of which literally have life-saving products, that aren’t getting the capital flows they would have to manage their needs.


Company-Sponsored Research

Needs have a way of being filled in an open economy. Active research is still highly needed by those that transact in the microcap and small-cap sectors. And top-tier research coverage is still crucial for small public companies looking to expand their visibility among investors trying to unearth and understand companies. With fewer sell-side firms covering stocks, and subscription based-research attracting fewer subscribers, an evolution took place in how institution-quality research is provided.

Filling the gap left by the large bulge bracket broker/dealers and niche subscription services is what has, over the past few years, become the preferred model of equity research and analysis. Company-sponsored research (CSR) sprang from the need for small companies to again provide a clear picture to investors. 

This new model borrowed heavily from the well-established bond market services where firms like Moody’s and S&P provide research and credit analysis on public company debt. CSR providers were able to hire the very best analysts released by the big sell-side shops, and in some cases, subscription-based services converted to the CSR model. The institutional quality research is now compensated by the company that knows it will benefit from an unbiased evaluation from respected analysts. This new practice eliminates the past conflict of interest of investment analysts that may have experienced pressure to err on the side of a favorable outlook to help smooth the way to additional higher-paying services from the client.

A few of the research firms providing company-sponsored research to companies have taken an additional measure. These firms are requiring their analysts to pass FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) qualifying exams in order to become registered securities professionals. The exam(s) and ongoing continuing education required to maintain the professional registrations, ensure a high level of understanding, further promotes ethical behavior, and provide for punishment, including loss of career, if some guidelines are not adhered to.

This new standard in who provides research and who it is available to clearly benefits the professional investor who may have always had access. But some firms providing company-sponsored research now make it available to all investors of any size. This was most often not the case as sell-side broker/dealers often only allowed timely access to their buy-side customers, and subscription services were too pricey for small investors. 

The largest CSR provider in the U.S. and Canada today is the research provided by analysts at Noble Capital Markets on a no-cost investor platform Channelchek and various subscription platforms used by institutional investors.


Take Away

Investing goes through regular incarnations and reinventions. The use of technology has provided an environment where passive investing gained in popularity. Just as other trends in investing have fallen out of favor, disruption or innovation will one day turn the tide toward another trend. Fortunately, some of the research activities that have been dropped by the sell-side broker/dealers, effectively decreasing resources to their customers, have been replaced with company-sponsored research. This evolution is growing in appreciation by both those raising capital and those investing assets.

Investors in companies covered by CSR have the benefit of an additional pair of trained eyes on companies they own, the companies benefit from not being overlooked from lack of coverage, and the world benefits as companies that will provide tomorrow’s life-saving drug, mining discovery, medical apparatus, storage innovation, or anything else may now better rely on being able to tap into capital and liquidity.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

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Sources:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/19/passive-investing-now-controls-nearly-half-the-us-stock-market.html

https://www.morningstar.com/news/dow-jones/201909182571/index-funds-are-the-new-kings-of-wall-street

https://channelchek.com/about

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U.S. Carbon Capture Funding and Incentives Investors Know About


Image Credit: Alberta Newsroom (Flickr)


Biden Signs Inflation Reduction Act: Its Climate Promise Relies Heavily on Carbon Capture, Meaning Thousands of Miles of Pipeline

President Joe Biden signed a sweeping climate, energy and health care bill on Aug. 16, 2022, that contains about US$370 billion to foster clean energy development and combat climate change, constituting the largest federal climate investment in history.

Several studies project that its climate and energy provisions could enable the United States to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by around 40% below 2005 levels by 2030. That would be a significant improvement over the current projections of around 27%, and it could put the U.S. within hailing range of its pledge under the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions by at least 50% by 2030.

Notably, one linchpin of the new climate provisions is a set of incentives to substantially expand technologies that capture carbon dioxide and either store it underground or ship it for reuse.

So far, the uptake of carbon capture technologies has been slow. The costs are high, and these technologies can require miles of pipeline and vast amounts of underground storage, both of which can trigger local backlash. A recent study projected that the U.S. would have to construct 65,000 miles of carbon dioxide pipelines to achieve net-zero emissions in 2050, a whopping 13 times the current capacity.

This article was republished with permission from The Conversation, a news
site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by and
represents the research-based opinions of Wil Burns Professor of Research in Environmental Policy,
American University School of International Service.

I’m the former founding co-director of the Institute for Carbon Removal Law &  Policy at American University. While the new law, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, has many provisions designed to jump-start the carbon removal sector, it’s far from certain that the industry will be able to move quickly.

One-Sixth of all Emissions Cuts

The Inflation Reduction Act includes two primary types of carbon capture.

Carbon capture and storage entails capturing carbon dioxide generated during power generation and industrial processes, such as steel and concrete production, and transporting it for storage or use. The most common use to date has been for enhanced oil recovery – injecting the gas into oil and gas reservoirs to extract more fossil fuels.

It also seeks to drive deployment of direct air capture technologies, which can pull carbon dioxide out of the air.

A Princeton University analysis estimated that pertinent provisions of the legislation “would increase the use of carbon capture 13-fold by 2030 relative to current policy,” with only a modest amount projected to come from carbon dioxide removal. This could translate into about one-sixth to one-fifth of its projected carbon dioxide emissions reductions.

Consistent with most of its other energy and climate provisions, the Inflation Reduction Act seeks to drive widespread deployment of carbon removal technologies through incentives. Most importantly, it substantially amends a provision of the U.S. tax code
referred to as 45Q, which is designed to drive corporate investments in carbon
capture.

Under its provisions, tax credits for capturing carbon dioxide at industrial facilities and power plants would increase from $50 per ton today to up to $85 per ton if the carbon is stored. If the carbon is used instead for oil drilling, the credit would go from $30 today to $60 per ton.

Credits for capturing carbon from air via direct air capture would also dramatically jump, from $50 to $180 per ton if the carbon dioxide is stored, and from $35 currently to $130 per ton if it is used.

The new law also moves back the deadline for starting construction of carbon capture facilities that qualify from 2026 to 2033, reduce the minimum capture requirements for obtaining credits, and permit direct payments for the full value of credits for the first five years of a project’s operation in lieu of tax credits.

 

Missing Pieces

Currently there are only a dozen carbon capture and storage facilities in the U.S. and a couple of direct air capture facilities removing a small amount of carbon from the air.

There’s a reason the uptake of carbon capture, particularly direct air capture, has been slow. Direct air capture cost estimates vary from $250 to $600 per ton, according to one analysis, while experts have estimated that a price under $100 and closer to $50 could create a market.

Some experts believe that the Inflation Reduction Act sufficiently ratchets up 45Q credits to start driving widespread construction of carbon capture and storage facilities in the power and industrial sectors. Others believe that the direct pay provision is “the fundamental missing piece” for carbon capture and storage because project developers and sponsors can avoid the often onerous and costly process of raising tax equity to qualify to use the credits.

There’s hope that the increase in credit values for direct air capture will help to foster “synthetic economics” for this nascent market, infusing sufficient capital to develop technologies at scales that are profitable.

Pipeline Challenges Ahead

However, while the Inflation Reduction Act may appear helpful on a theoretical basis, both carbon capture and storage and direct air capture could face some serious headwinds over the course of the next decade and beyond.

One major challenge could be resistance to the construction of pipelines to transport carbon dioxide to storage sites. In recent years, counties and private landowners in Iowa have voiced opposition to such projects, particularly the idea that the state might allow pipeline builders to seize private land for their projects.

Pipeline construction is also a point of contention for environmental groups, especially environmental justice organizations, and could lead to protracted litigation. This stems in part from a carbon dioxide pipeline rupture in Satartia, Mississippi, in 2020, which hospitalized 45 people.

If public opposition delays construction, projects could be pushed past the window for the incentives, leaving developers with expensive projects. While some studies argue that enhanced oil recovery results in a net reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, this may ultimately be a hard political sell for local communities.

The Inflation Reduction Act may ultimately brighten the prospects for carbon removal in America, but this is by no means assured, especially in the optimistic time frame of the next decade.


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Release – Orion Group Holdings Names Travis J. Boone as President and Chief Executive Officer

 



Orion Group Holdings Names Travis J. Boone as President and Chief Executive Officer

Research, News, and Market Data on Orion Group Holdings

Aug 18, 2022

HOUSTON, Aug. 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orion Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ORN) (the “Company”), a leading specialty construction company, today announced that Travis Boone has been named President and Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors, effective September 12, 2022. Austin J. Shanfelter will step down as Interim CEO at that time and will continue to serve as Orion’s Executive Chairman during a short transition period. 

Mr. Boone served as a regional Chief Executive of AECOM and legacy companies since May 2017 and other key positions since 1999. From 1986 to 1999 he held various positions with several contracting companies in the utility/pipeline construction and commercial building construction industries. He is a Professional Engineer and Board-Certified Safety Professional. Mr. Boone graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil/Structural Engineering and has an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from Mid-American Christian University.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and Orion Group Team, I would like to welcome Travis as our new President and Chief Executive Officer. Travis brings a wealth of industry knowledge, experience, and leadership to Orion. He has a proven track record of success, which we expect will have a significant impact on improving Orion’s performance and position it well for growth and success,” said Austin Shanfelter.

Mr. Boone stated, “I am honored to join Orion Group Holdings as its next President and Chief Executive Officer at such an important time in the Company’s history. I regard Orion Group as an industry leader and believe there are significant opportunities to grow the company. I look forward to working with and leading a talented team to continue improving performance and maximizing market value.”

About Orion Group
Holdings, Inc.

Orion Group Holdings, Inc., a leading specialty construction company serving the infrastructure, industrial and building sectors, provides services both on and off the water in the continental United States, Alaska, Canada and the Caribbean Basin through its marine segment and its concrete segment. The Company’s marine segment provides construction and dredging services relating to marine transportation facility construction, marine pipeline construction, marine environmental structures, dredging of waterways, channels and ports, environmental dredging, design, and specialty services. Its concrete segment provides turnkey concrete construction services including pour and finish, dirt work, layout, forming, rebar, and mesh across the light commercial, structural and other associated business areas. The Company is headquartered in Houston, Texas with regional offices throughout its operating areas.

Forward-Looking
Statements

The matters discussed in this press release may constitute or include projections or other forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the provisions of which the Company is availing itself. Certain forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as ‘believes’, ‘expects’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘could’, ‘should’, ‘seeks’, ‘approximately’, ‘intends’, ‘plans’, ‘estimates’, or ‘anticipates’, or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, intentions, estimates, forecasts, outlook, assumptions, or goals. In particular, statements regarding future operations or results, including those set forth in this press release and any other statement, express or implied, concerning future operating results or the future generation of or ability to generate revenues, income, net income, profit, EBITDA, EBITDA margin, or cash flow, including to service debt, and including any estimates, forecasts or assumptions regarding future revenues or revenue growth, are forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements also include estimated project start date, anticipated revenues, and contract options which may or may not be awarded in the future. Forward looking statements involve risks, including those associated with the Company’s fixed price contracts that impacts profits, unforeseen productivity delays that may alter the final profitability of the contract, cancellation of the contract by the customer for unforeseen reasons, delays or decreases in funding by the customer, levels and predictability of government funding or other governmental budgetary constraints and any potential contract options which may or may not be awarded in the future, and are the sole discretion of award by the customer. Past performance is not necessarily an indicator of future results. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of forward-looking statements in this press release should not be regarded as a representation by the Company that the Company’s plans, estimates, forecasts, goals, intentions, or objectives will be achieved or realized. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update information contained in this press release whether as a result of new developments or otherwise.

Orion Group Holdings Inc.
Francis Okoniewski, Vice President Investor Relations
(346) 616-4138
fokoniewski@orn.net
www.oriongroupholdingsinc.com

Source: Orion Group Holdings, Inc.


Primary Logo

Source: Orion Group Holdings, Inc.