STOCKS TELEGRAPH

Author: Shimrez Hyder

  • Kirkland’s Inc. (KIRK) Stock Surged Following the Disclosure of Financial Reports for Q2 2021

    Kirkland’s Inc. (KIRK) stock prices were up 15.72% some time after the commencement of market trading as of September 2nd, 2021. This brought the price per share up to USD$21.13 early on in the trading day.

    Circumventing Challenges

    The second quarter of fiscal 2021 further developed KIRK stock’s transformation efforts and facilitated achieving the company’s long-term financial targets.  This is despite the ongoing and expected challenges arising from continued constraints in the global supply chain. The company made progress in the areas it had control over, reporting an improvement in sales during the last month of Q2 2021. The company saw year-over-year margin gains as a result of its disciplined approach to its cost structure.

    KIRK Stock’s Continued Success

    The efforts to make the cost structure more lean included elevating their merchandising assortment in an effort to drive higher average ticket. This serves to continue increasing the company’s levels of direct sourcing, as it further negotiating rent reductions across its store footprint. These developments have driven a two-year comparable same store sales increase of almost 5% as compared to the second quarter of 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic struck.

    Setting the Stage for H2 2021

    The momentum generated by KIRK stock will set the stage for the company’s entry into its historically strongest seasons, harvest and Christmas. The company will continue to keep a close eye on its inventory position as it facilitates the meeting of customer demand. Despite the persistence of some level of supply chain constraints, the company expects to deliver strong same store sales growth in the range of mid-single-digits for the second half of the year.

    KIRK Stock’s Transformation Strategy

    The company remains committed to the successful execution of its overall transformation strategy. KIRCK stock continues to further optimizing their merchandising assortment, stabilizing margins, and driving profitable growth. This is in the interest of achieving its overarching goal to become a high-performance specialty home furnishing retailer with a portfolio of quality products at affordable prices. The company’s strong financial position and efficient infrastructure are expected to result in the driving of shareholder value.

    Future Outlook for KIRK Stock

    The company reported a promising quarter, as evidenced by the strength of its financial reports for Q2 2021. KIRK stock is poised to capitalize on the opportunities presented to it as it continues its trajectory of success. Investors are hopeful that management will be able to usher in consistent organic growth over the long term.

  • Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corp. (ADMP) Stock Trends Higher Following Initiation of Patient Dosing in Tempol Trial

    Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corp. (ADMP) stock prices were up by 0.91% shortly after market trading commenced on September 2nd, 2021. This brought the price per share up to USD$1.12 early on in the trading day.

    ADMP Stock Commences Patient Dosing

    September 2nd, 2021 saw ADMP stock announce the initiation of patient dosing in the Phase 2/3 clinical trial for Tempol in adult patients with confirmed Covid-19 infection. Preclinical studies have shown the oral antiviral product candidate to have shown antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity. The clinical trial is designed to enroll a total of 248 patients. The timing of the trial is essential as the delta variant of the coronavirus spreads, with breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals occurring in the U.S. and worldwide. The treatment is an antiviral and anti-inflammatory measure that could prove to fight the delta variant if it is proven safe and effective in the trial.

    Tempol Study Development

    The commencement of patient dosing in the Phase 2/3 clinical trial for Tempol comes after encouraging preclinical data in several disease models of infection and inflammation. Newer variants popping up all over the world with increased transmissibility and resistance necessitates the development of new therapeutic agents. Israel has one of the highest levels of Covid-19 vaccinations in the world, yet it is now indicating one of the world’s highest infection rates. The majority of the hospitalized patients in Israel are fully gene vaccinated. Approval of Tempol could result in the provision of a crucial drug for the treatment of Covid-19, thereby curbing the pandemic.

    NIH Involvement

    The National Institute of Health recently highlighted Tempol as a potential home treatment for Covid-19. The NIH concluded that the treatment would likely prevent severe disease. Recent studies conducted by NIH researchers indicate Tempol to have potent antiviral activity against the virus that causes Covid-19 in lab studies. The NIH news article also reports the treatment’s ability to reduce Covid-19 symptoms. This is done by calming inflammation, protecting organs from damage, and decreasing the clumping of platelets.

    Future Outlook for ADMP Stock

    The company generated strong momentum over the first half of the fiscal year 2021, which it has continued through the start of the first half. ADMP stock is poised to capitalize on the opportunities afforded to it as it develops its clinical study for Tempol. Current and potential investors are hopeful that management will be able to leverage the resources at their disposal. This is hoped to facilitate significant and sustained increases in shareholder value.

  • Plus Therapeutics Inc. (PSTV) Stock Surges Following Strategic Partnership with RadioMedix

    Plus Therapeutics Inc. (PSTV) stock prices surged 16.84% to USD$2.22 in the current market trading following disclosure of the company’s strategic partnership with Radiomedix.

    PSTV Stock Partners with RadioMedix

    September 2nd, 2021 saw PSTV stock announce having entered into an agreement with RadioMedix for the commercial production of the company’s radiopharmaceuticals. The partnering company is a global leader in the development and production of GMP radiopharmaceutical products. The strategic collaboration serves to support the company’s efforts to have fully compliant RNL available by mid-2022. The RNL will be used in a potential Phase 2/3 clinical study in adults with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM).

    Manufacturing of RNL

    The partnering company is the new GMP manufacturing arm of Plus Therapeutics, with plans to participate in the development of RNL. RNL is a promising radiotherapeutic for central nervous system tumors. RadioMedix has made investments in state-of-the-art facilities for radiopharmaceutical manufacturing and a team of highly trained experts. This investment emphasizes the company’s commitment to delivering positive customer experiences across all phases of radiopharmaceutical development and commercial manufacturing.

    Terms of the Agreement

    As per the agreement, RadioMedix will be responsible for the production of the cGMP drug product. The product will be designed to meet all applicable requirements of the U.S Food and Drug Administration, as well as all similar global regulatory entities. The strategic collaboration serves to further secure the commercial supply chain for RNL, while extending to future products under the RNL platform.

    Scope of PSTV Stock’s Collaboration

    The development of RNL is hoped to address the need to treat recurrent GBM, leptomeningeal metastases, and pediatric brain cancer. It has been designed to safely, effectively, and conveniently delivery high doses of radiation to rare and central nervous tumors. PSTV stock is currently enrolling patients with recurrent GBM in the United States NIH-supported multi-center ReSPECT-GBM Phase 1 dose-finding clinical trial.

    Future Outlook for PSTV Stock

    The company reported a strong quarter, evidenced by the strength of its most recent financial reports, further consolidated by its partnership with RadioMedix. PSTV stock is poised to capitalize on the expanded scope of opportunities presented to it, as management takes steps to effectively leverage the resources at their disposal. Current and potential investors are hopeful that this will result in significant and sustained increases in shareholder value.

  • Tiziana Life Sciences PLC (TLSA) Stock Surges Following Strategic Collaboration with Precision Biosciences

    Tiziana Life Sciences PLC (TLSA) stock prices were down by 0.60% as of the market closing on September 1st 2021. This brought the price per share down to USD$1.65 at the end of the trading day. Subsequent premarket fluctuations saw the stock rise by 15.76%, bringing it up to USD$1.92.

    TLSA Stock Collaborates with Precision

    September 2nd 2021 saw TLSA stock announced an exclusive license agreement with Precision Biosciences. The agreement will facilitate the exploration of the company’s foralumab as an agent to induce tolerance of allogeneic CAR T cells. The fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) could potentially improve the clinical outcome of CAR T cell therapy.

    CAR T Cell Therapy

    The Cluster of Differentiation (CD) 3 is a receptor on effector T cells. An anti-CD3 antibody has the potential to eliminate or tolerize patient effector T cells. TLSA stock’s manufacturing process utilizes ARCUS to knock out the TRAC gene, after which it implements a CD3-depletion step. This produces allogeneic CAR T candidates that are more than 99.9% CD3-negative. Accordingly, an anti-CD3 antibody such as foralumab could be used to enable CAR T cells to expand, proliferate, and persist  to maximize long term clinical benefits.

    Exclusive Foramulab License

    As per the agreement, Precision will gain an exclusive license for foralumab. The treatment will serve as a lymphodepletion agent in tandem with its allogeneic CAR T therapeutics for the treatment of carious cancers. Precision will be responsible for the development, commercialization, and expenses for the use of its treatment. TLSA stock will receive upfront payment, certain milestone payments, and royalties for foramulab.

    Scope of TLSA Stock’s Partnership

    The companies’ collaboration to explore furamulab will result in executing potential lymphodepletion strategy with their allogeneic CAR T programs. Despite being clinically successful, relapse rates for CAR T therapies have remained high. This has been problematic in its capacity to limit broad utility, which it continues to do. Precision is keen to leverage its novel approaches to CAR T development, thereby offering the potential for meaningful off-the-shelf solutions.

    Future Outlook for TLSA Stock

    The company reported a promising quarter, culminating with the announcement of TLSA stock’s collaboration with Precision. TLSA is poised to capitalize on the opportunities presented to it as a result of its partnership, with both companies keen to drive the accelerated commercialization and proliferation of foramulab. Current and potential investors are confident in management’s ability to leverage the resources at their disposal. This is hoped to facilitate significant and sustained increases in shareholder value.

  • Five Below Inc. (FIVE) Stock Undergoes Minor Volatility Following Q2 2021 Financial Reports

    Five Below Inc. (FIVE) stock prices were up by 1.52% as of the market closing on September 1st 2021. This brought the price per share up to USD$216.05 at the end of the trading day. Subsequent premarket fluctuations saw the stock dip by 9.28%, bringing it down to USD$196.00.

    FIVE Stock’s Net Sales Report

    The second quarter of fiscal 2021 saw FIVE stock’s net sales in the amount of USD$646.6. This represents a 51.7% increase from the USD$426.1 million reported for the second quarter of 2019. The reports from Q2 2021 were up 39.2% from the prior year quarter. Sales were up by 21% from for the comparable subset of stores that were open in both the second quarters of fiscal 2019 and 2019.

    Expanding Store Count

    FIVE stock reported having opened 34 new stores over the course of the second quarter of fiscal 2021. The company ended the quarter with 1,121 stores across a total of 39 states. This represents a 14% increase from the number of stores as of the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Accordingly, operating income rose to USD$86.2 million from the USD$33.1 million in the prior year quarter. The 2021 quarter saw an effective tax rate of 23.8%, a massive increase from the 9.4% reported in Q2 2020.

    FIVE Stock’s Net Income Report

    Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 came out to USD$64.8 million, up significantly from the USD$29.6 million reported in the prior year quarter. Net income was up by 124.9% from the USD$28.8 million reported for the second quarter of fiscal 2019.

    Facilitating Further Growth

    The third quarter of fiscal 2021 has gotten off to a strong start from a sales perspective. FIVE stock is innovating across its three key strategic priorities: product, experience, and supply chain, with the company working hard to mitigate the impact of global disruptions. The company is confident in its Wow assortment, the flexibility of its unique model with eight worlds, as well as its new Five Beyond offering. Combing with its operating discipline across the organization, the company is set to usher in sustainable long-term growth. FIVE is keen to realize its 2500-plus store potential in the United States alone.

    Future Outlook for FIVE Stock

    The company reported a promising quarter, evidenced by the strength of its financial reports for the second quarter of fiscal 2021. FIVE stock is poised to capitalize on the opportunities presented to it as a result of the momentum it has generated. Current and potential investors are hopeful that management will be able to continue their trajectory of success.

  • Vera Bradley Inc. (VRA) Stock Dips Following Disclosure of Financial Report for Q2 2021

    Vera Bradley Inc. (VRA) Stock Dips Following Disclosure of Financial Report for Q2 2021

    Vera Bradley Inc. (VRA) stock prices dipped by 16.27% some time after market trading commenced on September 1st, 2021. This brought the price per share down to USD$9.60 early on in the trading day.

    Promising Financial Reports

    Consolidated net revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 came out to a total of USD$147 million. This represents an 11.6% year-over-year increase from the USD$131.8 million reported for the prior-year quarter. Q2 2021 saw VRA stock report consolidated net income in the amount of USD$9.1 million, representing a net income of USD$0.26 per diluted share. This includes USD$0.4 million of the net after tax charges in connection with intangible asset amortization.

    VRA Stock’s Brand Revenue

    The second quarter of fiscal 2021 saw VRA stock report continued improvement in brand revenues. This was largely driven to the positive response of customers to product innovation, as well as the full operation of stores. Brand revenue improvements were also driven by sales of travel-related products making a comeback. This is despite the prior-year quarter having been bolstered by exceptionally strong mask sales because of the outbreak of the global coronavirus pandemic.

    Apple iOS 14.5 Update

    Q2 2021 results were negatively impacted by the Apple iOS 14.5 update. This was primarily due to the effect it had on the effectiveness of Facebook and Instagram advertising. Both platforms have served as primary marketing vehicles to drive sales, with Pura Vida having maintained its position as a market leader. Pura Vida’s market leadership is evidenced by its consistent ranking as the number-one engaged brand in the jewelry category on Instagram.

    VRA Stock’s Challenging Market

    The company has also been subject to supply chain challenges over Q2 2021 that have also been affected most of the industry. In conjunction with significantly increased freight and tariff expenses that put substantial pressure on gross margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2021. These pressures are expected to persist over the moderate term. Despite this, VRA stock was able to once again effectively manage its SG&A costs, as well as maintaining the strength of its balance sheet and cash flow.

    Future Outlook for VRA Stock

    The company reported a promising quarter, as evidenced by its financial reports. VRA stock is poised to capitalize on opportunities to reverse the recent suffering of its shareholder value. Investors are hopeful that management will be able to effectively leverage the resources at its disposal. This is expected to facilitate significant and sustained increases in shareholder value.

  • Bellicum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (BLCM) Stock Surges Following Expansion of Agreement with MD Anderson

    Bellicum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (BLCM) Stock Surges Following Expansion of Agreement with MD Anderson

    Bellicum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (BLCM) stock prices were up by 8.58% some time after market trading commenced on September 1st, 2021. This brought the price per share up toUSD$3.29 early on in the trading day.

    BLCM Stock Announces new Partnership

    September 1st, 2021 saw BLCM stock announce a global option and license agreement with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. This agreement serves to cover certain intellectual property and technology rights regarding the company’s CaspaCIDe safety switch and related technologies, and the use of rimiducid. Rimiducid is an agent used to activate the safety switch. As per the agreement, MD Anderson will have the option to incorporate CaspaCIDe into certain cellular therapy programs.

    BLCM Stock’s CaspaCIDe

    BLCM stock’s CaspaCIDe safety switch has the potential to facilitate the use of cell therapies where cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicities have been observed. This is in the interest of pursuing novel targets with on-target/off-tumor safety concerns, as well as in conjunction with next-generation higher potency cell therapy constructs.

    Expanded Collaboration with MD Anderson

    The expansion of the CaspaCIDe agreement with MD Anderson is set to include a broader set of programs to benefit cancer patients. The company’s proprietary switch technology has the potential to enhance the benefit/risk profile of cell therapies. To this end, BLCM stock is continuing to allocate resources towards capitalizing on opportunities to expand its use via external collaborations with other leaders in the oncological healthcare field.

    Scope of Agreement

    The exercising of each option is typically expected to be upon the out-license of an MD Anderson program that will incorporate iC9. This will result in the company receiving an upfront payment, as well as entitlement to a percentage of certain consideration paid to the partnering company by the third party. BLCM stock will also receive a single-digit-percent royalty on global sales of the product. BLCM and MD Anderson have agreed on the first two programs for development in conjunction with the execution of the agreement. The agreement expands on an existing collaboration between the two companies, which covers the use of CaspaCIDe in a specific MD Anderson cell therapy program.

    Future Outlook for BLCM Stock

    The company reported a stellar quarter, consolidated by the expansion of its partnership with MD Anderson. BLCM stock is poised to capitalize on the opportunities presented to it as a result of its expansive collaboration. Current and potential investors are hopeful that management will be able to effectively usher in a continued trajectory of success.

  • ABVC Biopharma Inc. (ABVC) Stock Surges Following Submission of PCT Applications for MDD and ADHD

    ABVC Biopharma Inc. (ABVC) Stock Surges Following Submission of PCT Applications for MDD and ADHD

    ABVC Biopharma Inc. (ABVC) stock prices surged by 29.48% some time after market trading commenced on September 1st, 2021. This brought the price per share up to USD$3.76 early on in the trading day.

    ABVC Stock Submits PCT Applications

    September 1st, 2021 saw ABVC stock announce the filing of new Patent Cooperation Treaty applications. The PCT applications were in connection with medicines to treat the major depressive disorder (MDD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The two applications describe the treatment methods of oral administrating compositions containing Radix Polygalae extract (PDC1421). Both the MDD and ADHD drugs have PDC-1421 as an active ingredient.

    MDD Clinical Study

    ABVC Stock recently completed a Phase 2 Part 2 clinical study for its MDD medicine. The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial and involved 60 adult patients. These patients were confirmed to have moderate to severe MDD and were treated with PDC-1421 three times a day for a period of six weeks.

    Outcome of the Clinical Study

    The treatment met the pre-specified primary endpoint by exhibiting a highly significant 13.2 point reduction in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score. This was tabulated by Intention-To-Treat (ITT) analysis and was the average over the six-week treatment period from baseline. This is comparable to a 9.2 point reduction observed in the placebo group. PDC-1421 showed a dose-dependent efficacy towards MDD by Per-Protocol analysis. This showed high doses to result in a 13.4 point reduction in MADRS total score from baseline, while a low dose resulted in a 10.4 point reduction. These numbers are comparable to the 8.6 reported in the placebo group.

    Scope of ABVC Stock’s Submissions

    ABVC stock is confident that its PCT filings will provide expedited entries to CPT contracting countries such as China, Japan, and the EU. This is expected to facilitate the global intellectual property protection of the company’s essential MDD and ADHD products. The PCT’s and subsequent national phase applications have the potential to extend the product’s global market exclusivity through to 2040-2041, should they be granted.

    Future Outlook for ABVC Stock

    The company reported a stellar quarter, topped off with its new PCT application filings for MDD and ADHD. ABVC stock is poised to allocate resources towards the expedited commercialization and proliferation of its flagship treatments. Investors are hopeful that this will translate into consistent returns on shareholder investments over the long term.

  • Conn’s Inc. (CONN) Stock on the Rise Following Promising Financial Reports for Q2 2021

    Conn’s Inc. (CONN) Stock on the Rise Following Promising Financial Reports for Q2 2021

    Conn’s Inc. (CONN) stock prices were up 7.38% shortly after market trading commenced on September 1st 2021. This brought the price per share up to USD$26.42 early on in the trading day.

    CONN Stock’s Stellar Q2 2021

    The second quarter of fiscal 2021 saw CONN stock report retail and credit results that exceeded previous expectations. This demonstrated the successful ongoing execution of the company’s growth strategies. Store sales for the quarter were up 16.4% as compared to the prior-year period, while retail sales reported a 24% year-over-year increase. The strength of the retail business in conjunction with a second-quarter credit spread of 1200 basis contributed to a record-breaking quarter. Earnings per diluted share came out to USD$2.74 for the first half of the fiscal year, which is higher than any annual earnings in the company’s extensive 131-year history.

    Raising Guidance

    The company reported maintaining promising momentum across its business, reflecting strong consumer demand and the successful execution of growth strategies. Total retail sales for H1 2021 have seen an increase at the fastest growth rate in the past seven years. Accordingly, the company is raising its guidance for the fiscal year 2022 same-store sales from high single-digit same-store sales growth to mid-teens same-store sales growth.

    Net Income Reports

    Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 came out to USD$37 million, representing a net income of USD$1.22 per diluted share. This is comparable to the net income of USD$20.5 million reported for the prior-year quarter, representing a net income of USD$1.22 per diluted share.

    CONN Stock’s Liquidity Position

    CONN stock reported a stellar liquidity position as of the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2021. The company reported having USD$8.7 million in unrestricted cash that is available for sure. This is consolidated by the immediate availability of USD$362.9 million in borrowing capacity. These funds are available to the company as a part of its revolving credit facility, which carried a borrowing limit of up to USD$650 million.

    Future Outlook for CONN Stock

    CONN stock had a promising quarter, as evidenced by the strength of its financial reports. The company is keen to leverage the resources at its disposal as it seeks to maintain the momentum it has generated. Current and potential investors are hopeful that this will usher in organic growth over the long term.

  • Alzamend Neuro Inc. (ALZN) Stock Undergoes Minor Volatility After Collaboration with Altasciences

    Alzamend Neuro Inc. (ALZN) Stock Undergoes Minor Volatility After Collaboration with Altasciences

    Alzamend Neuro Inc. (ALZN) stock prices were down 2.61% around the time of market opening on September 1st, 2021. This brought the price per share up to USD$2.98 early on in the trading day.

    ALZN Stock Partners with Altasciences

    August 17th 2021 saw the early clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company announce its contract with Altasciences to conduct a six-month Phase 1 relative bioavailability study for AL001. The treatment is for Alzheimer’s patients and the study will commence in September 2021. The phase 1 first-in-human study is designed to determine the potentially clinically safe and appropriate dosing of AL001 in upcoming studies. ALZN stock’s AL001 is a lithium-delivering ionic cocrystal under development as an oral treatment for patients with dementia. These patients will report dementia related to mild, moderate, and severe cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

    Phase 1 Clinical Study

    The company is bolstered by its recent partnership and its confidence in the successful execution of the joint Phase 1 clinical study. The treatment is believed to potentially provide clinicians with a significant improvement on current lithium-based treatments. AL001 could constitute a means of treating Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders.

    ALZN Stock’s AL001

    The Phase 1 study will serve to investigate the pharmacokinetics of lithium following a single dose of AL001. This will be compared to a typical single dose of a marketed 300 mg immediate-release lithium carbonate capsule. The study will be conducted in healthy male and female patients. Each patient will be administered approved amounts of the lithium and salicylate components of AL001. The study’s purpose will be to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and bioavailability of the study drug, as compared to currently marketed formulations of its comparator, lithium carbonate.

    About ALZN

    ALZN stock focuses on developing novel products for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. The company continues to allocate resources toward the rapid development and safe marketing of effective treatments. The company’s existing product pipeline consists of AL001 and AL002. Both of these product candidates are licensed from the University of South Florida Research Foundation.

    Future Outlook for ALZN Stock

    The company reported a promising quarter, consolidated by the strength of its financial reports and topped off with its collaboration with Altasciences. ALZN stock is keen to leverage the combined resources at its disposal to usher in unprecedented growth. Investors are hopeful that this will translate into significant and sustained increases in shareholder value over the long term.