With Social Security funding issues around the corner, uncertain market conditions, long-term low interest rates and skyrocketing medical costs, American retirees are facing a laundry list of retirement challenges. The only certainty is that retirement is going to be dramatically different than the retirement previous generations encountered. In order to retire with financial security and dignity, Americans need to make well-informed decisions about when to retire, when to collect Social Security, how to manage their retirement savings and what to do about housing in retirement. It is this last item, housing in retirement, which often gets the least amount of attention, when in fact, it should be closely scrutinized as a powerful asset.
New research from The American College of Financial Services, The Home Equity and Retirement Income Planning Survey, found that the overwhelming majority, 83 percent of Americans nearing or in retirement, want to remain in their current home for as long as possible. Additionally, the desire to remain in one’s home increased with age. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, not only did the desire to remain in one’s home increase with age, but the number of years the respondent expected to remain in the home also increased with age. Even if the homeowner needed to relocate later in retirement, almost none of the respondents expressed a desire to rent. This research has also been published in the Journal of Financial Planning – see here.
Best Medical Stocks To Own Right Now: Rockwell Medical Technologies Inc.(RMTI)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Alex McGuire]
As a service to our readers, the following list provides the 10 top pharmaceutical stocks to watch this month (May 2017), including the biggest gainers from April…
Pharmaceutical Stock Current Share Price April 2017 Gain
Cleveland BioLabs Inc. (Nasdaq: CBLI) $3.62 +120.6%
Nexvet Biopharma Plc. (Nasdaq: NVET) $6.61 +69.7%
Motif Bio Plc. (Nasdaq ADR: MTFB) $10.10 +68.2%
Axovant Sciences Ltd. (NYSE: AXON) $24.43 +62.3%
Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: CYCC) $5.49 +46.7%
Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: CNAT) $8.67 +44.9%
Akebia Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: AKBA) $13.07 +43.3%
Akorn Inc. (Nasdaq: AKRX) $33.28 +38.9%
Rockwell Medical Inc. (Nasdaq: RMTI) $8.78 +37.4%
Akari Therapeutics Plc. (Nasdaq ADR: AKTX) $15.02 +35.4%
The best-performing pharma stock of the month – Cleveland BioLabs Inc. – surged 120.6% to $3.53 a share by April 28. That crushed both the Nasdaq Biotech Index’s 1.5% gain and the Dow Jones’ 1.3% rise over the same period.
- [By Lisa Levin]
Thursday morning, the healthcare sector proved to be a source of strength for the market. Leading the sector was strength from Keryx Biopharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: KERX) and Rockwell Medical Inc (NASDAQ: RMTI).
Best Medical Stocks To Own Right Now: HCI Group, Inc.(HCI)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Jim Robertson]
Small cap Florida insurance stock HCI Group Inc (NYSE: HCI) has taken a hit with shares down around 21% over the past week on predictions that Hurricane Irma would hit Florida albeit sharesrose 2.74%on Friday when it became clear that it would not be as catastrophic as feared:
Best Medical Stocks To Own Right Now: Sonic Corp.(SONC)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap burger stock Sonic Corporation (NASDAQ: SONC) reported fiscal Q1 2018 earnings after the market closed Thursday that exceeded Wall Street expectations. Total revenues were $105.428 million versus $129.551 million assystem same-store sales declined 1.7% – consisting of a 1.6% same-store sales decrease at franchise drive-ins and a 3.2% decrease at company drive-in. Net income totaled $11.4 million versus net income of $13.1 million. The CEO commented:
- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap burger stock Sonic Corporation (NASDAQ: SONC) reported fiscal Q3 2017 earnings after the market closed yesterday with earnings exceeding Wall Street expectations. GAAP revenue was $123.990 million versus $165.239 million as system same-store sales declined 1.2% consisting of a 1.1% same-store sales decrease at franchise drive-ins and a 3.2% decrease at company drive-ins. Net income totaled $18.8 million versus net income of $15.4 million. The Chairman/CEO commented:
- [By Peter Graham]
After the market closed yesterday, small cap burger stock Sonic Corporation (NASDAQ: SONC) reported fiscalQ2 2017 earnings with shares falling moderately in after hours trading as the top line missed and the bottom line met expectations. However, it appears analysts are zeroing in on the system same-store sales comps down 7.4% versus expectations for a fall of 4.3%. The decline was comprised of a7.3% same-store sales decline at franchise drive-ins and a decline of 8.9% at company drive-ins.
- [By Peter Graham]
A long term performance chart shows shares of newcomers Shake Shack and California based IPO Habit Restaurants both underperforming or below their IPO close prices whilemore established small capburger stocks Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc (NASDAQ: RRGB) and Sonic Corporation (NASDAQ: SONC) were big outperformers up until more recently:
- [By ]
Among McDonald’s main rivals, identified by FactSet, are Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) , down almost 5.5%; Yum! Brands (YUM) , which owns KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, up 32%; and burger chain Sonic Corp. (SONC) , down about 2%. These are all year-over-year percentages.
- [By Peter Graham]
A long term performance chart shows shares of small caps Habit Restaurants and Shake Shack Inc (NYSE: SHAK) below their IPO prices while more established burger stocks Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc (NASDAQ: RRGB) and Sonic Corporation (NASDAQ: SONC)have seen their performance drift downward last year or the year before:
Best Medical Stocks To Own Right Now: Sack Lunch Productions (SAKL)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By James E. Brumley]
Tuesday morning, Sack Lunch Productions Inc (OTCMKTS:SAKL) posted its results for the third quarter (ending September 30th) of the year. They were as strong as you might suspect, with the top line rolling in at $5.35 million, and $142,983 of that turning into net income. That top and bottom line were actually down a bit from the year-ago comparables, though investors should bear in mind that the third quarter of last year was an unusually tough comparison of $6.02 million in sales, and income of $688,845. That was a true breakout quarter for the company’s signature event – Slide the City – and many participants may have come simply to see what it was. The follow-up year (this year), SAKL may not have had the same curiosity factor compelling people to attend.
Sack Lunch Productions, for the unfamiliar, it’s the name behind event-oriented businesses called Slide the City, Lantern Fest, The Dirty Dash, the Color Me Rad 5K run, and most recently, the Trike Riot. Those are a 1000-foot Slip-n-Slide, a flying lantern release, a mud run, a color-splashing fun run, and a tricycle riding course for kids of all ages and sizes. The events aren’t just fun – they’re FUN!
They’re also surprisingly profitable. While attendance and per-participant revenue varies, with the average revenue of $30 per participant being at the low end of the scale ( as is the average event attendance of 2500), gross revenue of $75,000 per event is a low-end expectation…
… not that SAKL hasn’t done some more number crunching of its own. This year, it expects to host roughly 250 events and drive $17 million worth of revenue per event, up about 80% from 2015’s top line. Some of those are being put on by Sack Lunch Productions itself, while others are being hosted by franchisees. Whatever the case, that works out to average revenue of $72,000 per event, with the franchised ones being low-cost to no-cost events for SAKL.
Regardless, the trend is an impressive one, all
Best Medical Stocks To Own Right Now: Vitality Biopharma (VBIO)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By James E. Brumley]
Are you an investor interested in learning more about Vitality Biopharma Inc (OTCMKTS:VBIO)? Or, are you looking to take your first look at VBIO? A SeeThruEquity research report posted in August not only has you covered, it underscores all of its hidden bullishness. The report also explains a very impressive target price for Vitality Biopharma shares. In short, the research outfit now believes the stock will see $2.00 per share sooner than later, based on its pipeline and potential market penetration. That’s 38% higher than its current value.
- [By Jim Robertson]
That’s why its worth pointing out that just yesterday, small cap cannabinoid prodrug pharmaceutical stock Vitality Biopharma, Inc. (OTCQB: VBIO) announced the appointment of Tracy Rockney, J.D. to the position of Senior Regulatory Advisor. In addition to being the Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer of OneSource Regulatory, a regulatory consulting firm, Rockney was previously:
- [By James E. Brumley]
Investors who were looking to learn a little more about up-and-coming drug development company Vitality Biopharma Inc (OTCMKTS:VBIO) may want to mark December 8th on their calendar…. if they’re going to be in the Los Angeles area that day anyway. The company will be making a presentation that day, at the annual LD Micro Main Event. Interested and approved investors can attend the VBIO presentation by registering beforehand with LD Micro.
Vitality Biopharma has found a way to make cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals without the usual downside of cannabinoids. Namely, Vitality Biopharma’s version of cannabinoids are non-psychotropic, meaning larger, more effective dosing is possible without the ‘high’. It’s this little detail that takes cannabinoid medicine — already the most compelling frontier in the world of pharma — to the next level. There’s a reason some people think the cannabinoid market could be worth $20 billion by 2020.
The idea was significantly advanced in early November. In eight of the nine states voters were asked about legalization of marijuana (for one reason or another), voters said yes….. four for recreational use, and four for medical use. In eight of those nine states, the measures passed. Marijuana is legal in more than half the United States now, and we’re en route to a decided majority in the foreseeable future.
VBIO didn’t necessarily need a sweeping victory at the ballot box, but each time marijuana wins, it seems to advance the discussion of the power of cannabinoids as medicine.
Investors will be able to learn more about Vitality Biopharma’s work in that arena on Thursday of this week. On that day — 8 AM PST / 11 AM EST — at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. Robert Brooke, CEO of Vitality Biopharma, will be making a presentation as well as meeting with current and prospective investors.
LD Micro was founded in 2006 with the sole purpose of being an independent resource in t
- [By James E. Brumley]
In mid-September, Vitality Biopharma Inc (OTCMKTS:VBIO) announced it was going to take aim at the development of an alternative to opioids as a means of treating pain. At the time, there was little doubt that the company’s cannabinoid science was capable of doing so. What wasn’t clear to VBIO shareholders was exactly how that might happen…. meaning what sort of drug might Vitality Biopharma come up with.
We got the first of what will likely be several answers to the question today. Per today’s press release, Vitality Biopharma intends to come up with a treatment for narcotic bowel syndrome, which is a severe form of (ironically enough) opiate-induced abdominal pain.
As a refresher, Vitality Biopharma was the name we introduced to you back on August 8th, pointing out it had developed a whole new way of making cannabinoid-based medicines. Their versions offer all the upsides of cannabinoids, but without the psychotropic (“getting high’) effects, and without some of the common downsides associated with these pharmaceuticals… like mouth and skin lesions.
There are even bigger advantages to Vitality Biopharma’s science, however. Namely, since these drugs are prodrugs and aren’t activated until in the body, they allow for targeted delivery to the GI tract (yet can also selectively target other body parts, even as far away from the GI tract as the brain). Perhaps more than anything though, these drugs are orally-administered by virtue of being highly soluble, making them easy to use.
It’s this nuance that makes Vitality Biopharma’s recently-announced intention so interesting, and compelling.
Studies have found that up to 81% of patients treated with opiates have functional bowel disorders, with more than half — 58% to be exact — of opiate users reporting chronic abdominal pain stemming from the use of their prescribed painkillers. Considering 200 million opioid prescriptions are filled every year in the United States alo
- [By Matthew Briar]
Back in September, Vitality Biopharma Inc (OTCMKTS:VBIO) CEO Robert Brooke officially announced his company would be entering the painkiller market, specifically taking aim at the development of an alternative to opioids. His specific words? “Opiates are one of the key classes of drugs we’re seeking to replace, or to make far less necessary, as our proprietary cannabosides could provide a potent alternative form of pain relief and help avoid, or greatly reduce, the use of opiates for the treatment of many conditions…”
Best Medical Stocks To Own Right Now: Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (OPHLF)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By SEEKINGALPHA.COM]
Merck could achieve a consistent advantage versus BMS in treatment of 1L NSCLC. There is a precise crossroad that will determine the future of these two companies in this field: the question of whether or not Keytruda will be approved in May. Both the market and investors believe that it will indeed gain approval and BMS’s stock is already paying for that. In the short term, the repercussions will be the contractions in the sales of Opdivo in 2L and a bigger obstacle for Opdivo+Yervoy in 1L. But the BMS’s combo can catch up, thanks to a bigger efficacy, as I will explain in a future article. Meanwhile, a recent trial established that Merck has to pay BMS $625M plus royalties, as it infringed BMS’s intellectual property related to the use of anti-PD1 antibodies. The royalties will be 6.5% for sales between January 2017 and the end of 2023, followed by a 2.5% rate for the period from January 2024 to the end of 2026. Bristol-Myers Squibb will share the money by giving a quarter of the amount to the Japanese Ono Pharmaceutical (OTC:OPHLF), the company which had discovered Opdivo.
