Smart Sector Of The Day - March 30

• Bird Flu Vaccine +3.53%: the bird flu vaccine sector surged 3.53% to overall gain of 21.07% and became the leading sector in Smart Stocks. Two stocks which lifted the sector are AVI Biopharma Inc(AVII), adding 15.78% to $7.63 per share on successful bird flu drug trial and Novavax(NVAX), rising 8.92% to $8.18 per share, up more than 109.48% since covered last November. Other bird flu vaccine stocks going up are Hemispherx Biopharma In. (HEB), up 3.93% to $3.7, Sanofi-Aventis(SNY), up 2.44% to $47.53 and Novartis AG(NVS), up 1.72% to $56.13 per share.
• Hydrogen +5.07%: the hydrogen cell stocks today soared 5.07% on strong performance from Distributed Energy System Corp. (DESC), soaring 8.23% or 54 cents to $7.1 and from Hydrogenis Corp. (HYGS), rising 6.85% or 22 cents to $3.43 per share. HYGS so far has gained 28.46% since coverage began last December at $2.67 per share.

[Biotechnology]Fighting the Deadly Disease - AIDS stocks

Disease Of The Century Although companys have come up with numerous treatment, this disease which is one of the deadlist of the century known as AIDS causing by human immunodeficiency virus or HIV, is the cause of millions of deadth each year. With 40 million people worldwide including 2.5 million children currently infected, many of them in Africa, there are still penty of needs to develop more advance cure to counter this deadly virus. The following companys are focusing on AIDS related treatment:

• Abbott Laboratories(ABT): the Abbott Park, IL based multi-billion dollar company develops various health care products including pharmaceutical and diagnostic products. Abbott develops Kaletra, a combination of lopinavir and ritonavir, for human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) treatment. Kaletra, approved in 2000, belongs to the category of HIV protease inhibitor and is the successor to the company's previous AIDS fighting drog Norvir. The company is comparable to Merck(MRK) in size as it has annual revenue of 22.34 billion with net income of $3.37 billion. The stock has rose from 52 weeks low of $37.5 per share last December to $42.5 today at P/E of $19.73.
• Calypte Biomedical Corp. (HIV): the Lake Oswego, Oregon based company develops urine-based HIV antibody test which is sold in United States, China and Brazil. The company recently acquired 51% equity interest in China-based Beijing Marr Bio-Pharmaceutical Corp. in order to produce its HIV test products in China. The financial of the company is still weak as it is still losing a lot of money, $14.19 million net loss on revenu of $3.16 million. The stock is currently trading at 28 cents per share.
• Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IDIX): the Cambridge, MA based company develops drug for the treatment of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The stock in late March plunged from $20 to $12.25 today on concerns over the company's trail on its hepatitis C treatment. Although the company has so far developed 18 products for the treatment of HIV, the treatments have yet to yield to promosing result. The company is still under research to develop a better drug candidate to heal the HIV positive patients.
• Samaritan Pharmaceuticals Inc. (LIV): the Las Vegas, Nevada based company develops drugs for the treatment of AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Its HIV treatment candidate SP-01A, an oral HIV entry-inhibitor, has completed phase II human clinical trails. The stock is currently trading at 56 cents per share as the company has yet to generate enough revenue to cover the opearting expenses. The company will still need to raise cash to fund its ongoing trial and research of its HIV drugs.

Scoreboard - March 26

For the third week of March, we have two portfolios gaining momentums. One of them is Bird Flu Vaccine related stocks which has become the second leading portfolio after strong performance from NVAX which has gained 92.32% since covered last November and GNBT which has gained 61% in less than a month since coverage began on March 1. This shows us that investors are pouring money into bird flu related stocks on growing fear of global outbreak of this deadly virus. Another portfolio advancing is Golf related stocks which has earned the fifth spot of the best performing portfolio for the first time. Although there are only four stocks covered in the portfolio yet most of them have been doing well as golf specialty retailer Golf Galaxy(GGXY) gained 30% in two months while leading golf clubs and golf ball maker Callaway(ELF) and golf courses operator Intrawest (IDR) both gained respectful 18% in two months. This shows another investment trend - the baby boomer stocks such as senior housing and golf which we identified as a popular sports for the boomers.

Here are this week's top five portfolio as well as the top five individual stocks. Please note that the overall amount is shows how much the portfolio is worth as if you invested $1000 for each stock:

Nanotechnology
Stock / Current / Start / Change(%)
ALTI / 3.5 / 2.42 / +44.63%
APPX / 28.76 / 36.03 / -20.18%
DD / 42.55 / 43.32 / -1.78%
MMM / 28.76 / 78.74 / -2.46%
NANX / 7.947 / 6.01 / +32.23%
XDSL.OB / 0.355 / 0.18 / +97.22%
Overall $7,519.41 +$1,439.39 +24.78%

Bird Flu Vaccine
Stock / Current / Start / Change(%)
AVII / 6.65 / 7.47 / -10.98%
CHIR / 45.82 / 44.19 / +3.69%
NVS / 55.7 / 54.33 / +2.52%
SNY / 46.48 / 40.68 / +14.26%
MEDI / 36.26 / 34.93 / +3.81%
GSK / 53.7 / 53.09 / +1.15%
NVAX / 7.51 / 3.95 / +92.32%
HEB / 3.78 / 3.33 / +13.51%
GNBT / 3.72 / 2.31 / +61.04%
Overall $10,848.72 +1815.84 +20.1%

Brazil (Brazil1/Brazil2/Brazil3)
Stock / Current / Start / Change(%)
RIO / 45.28 / 40.3 / +12.36%
ITU / 32.29 / 23.49 / +37.46%
EWZ / 40.32 / 33.17 / +21.56%
BBD / 38.31/ 29.41 / +30.26%
GGB / 23.39 / 15.97 / +46.46%
SID / 28.95 / 21.36 / +35.53%
PBR / 85.75 / 68.77 / +24.69%
ERJ / 39.06 / 40.57 / -3.72%
TNE / 17.5 / 18.03 / -2.94%
NTEC / 5.26 / 5.41 / -2.77%
Overall $12,065.18 +$2004.24 +19.92%

India
Stock / Current / Start / Change(%)
TTM / 20.55 / 13.34 / +54.05%
IBN / 28.95 / 27.82 / +4.06%
WIT / 13.85 / 11.43 / +21.17%
INFY / 72.43 / 77.99 / -7.13%
REDF / 21.7 / 20.83 / +4.18%
SIFY / 12.75 / 9.47 / +34.64%
Overall $7,123.90 +1109.13 +18.44%

Golf
Stock / Current / Start / Change(%)
ELY / 17.03 / 14.35 / +18.68%
IDR / 32.92 / 27.89 / +18.04%
GGXY / 22.94 / 17.04 / +30.22%
CTO / 62.75 / 66.17 / -5.17%
Overall $4,627.68 +$621.23 +15.51%

[Foreign] Booming Economy Next Door

For years people have been talking about the exciting economy of the BRIC nations - Brazil, Russia, India and China. However there is a booming economy right next door that has been forgotten. No, we are not talking about the north of the border. The exciting economy next door is Mexico. Here are some of the Mexican companies listed in the US Stock Exchanges:

• Telefonos de Mexico SA de CV (TMX): the Mexico City based company is the leading local and long distance telephone service provider in Mexico. The company also offers service in other Latin American regions such as Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Peru and Colombia. Since the telecoms industry privatized in the early 1990s, it has grew outpaced the country's economy as many as seven times in 2005 by registering a 21.5% growth. The stock is still cheap trading at P/E ratio of 9.69 while the US telecom firms such as AT&T has P/E ration of 18.
• America Movil SA de CV (AMX): the Mexican telecom company dominates the wireless communication sector in Mexico with market cap of $63 billion on revenue of $16.9 billion. The stock, currently trading at $34.72 per share, has rose 69% in eight months since the 3:1 split in July 2005.
• Groupo Televisa SA (TV): the Mexican television broadcasting giant operates in tv, radio and publishing service in Mexico and United States. The stock is currently trading at P/E ratio of 4.17 at $19.31 per share.
• Mexico Fund Inc. (MXF): the Washington, DC based closed-end investment company invests in equity securities of various industries listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange. This is a more diversified investment for Mexico stocks.
• Mexico Equity & Income Fund(MXE): the Milwaukee, WI absed closed-end investment company invests not only in common stocks but also corporate bonds in Mexico.
• iShares MSCI Mexico Index (EWW): the ETF tracking stocks traded Mexican Stock Exchange measured by MSCI Mexico index. This is the least volatile investment for Mexico stocks.

Smart Stock On The Move - NGEN, GNBT

Nanotechnology Stock:

• Nanogen Inc. (NGEN): shares of nanotechnology company for the biotech sector soared 14.68% or 37 cents to $2.89 as Fisher Scientific International Inc. (FSH) agreed to purchase $5.7 million shares of Nanogen for $2.65 per share worth $15.1 million. The surge today pushed the stock price back to the 50 day moving average and could possiblely be facing some selling pressure as MACD still showing weakness. However, K line has rose on top of D line meaning the stock should be on a bounce-back rally. The stock is now back near the coverage price of $2.91 on December 1 of last year.

Bird Flu Stock:

• Generex Biotechnology Corp. (GNBT): shares of potential bird flu vaccine maker surged 9.62% or 23 cents to $2.62 per share as the company received patent in Mexico that improves delivery system for the administration of large-molecule pharmaceuticlas. The stock has been showing strength since the beginning of this year as the stock has been trading above both 50 day and 200 day moving average with MACD above 0 for most of this year indicating bull market. Since coverage began on March 1 at $2.31 per share, the stock has gained 13.42%.

Smart Stock on the Move - NVAX

Bird Flu Stock:

• Novavax Inc. (NVAX): shares of flu vaccine maker gained 5.26% or 37 cents to $7 per share on positive comment from analyst yesterday saying the company's potential bird flu vaccine is the best. Since coverage began in early November at $3.9 per share, the stock has gained 79.26%.

Scoreboard - March 12

Here are this week's top five portfolio as well as the top five individual stocks. Please note that the overall amount is shows how much the portfolio is worth as if you invested $1000 for each stock:


Nanotechnology
Stock / Current / Start / Change(%)
NANX / 7.65 / 6.01 / +27.29%
NGEN / 2.26 / 2.91 / -22.34%
ALTI / 3.55 / 2.42 / +46.69%
PXN / 17.58 / 17.17 / +2.39%
XDSL.OB / 0.365 / 0.18 / +102.78%
Overall $6,561.07 +$1,566.97 +31.38%

India
Stock / Current / Start / Change(%)
TTM / 20.53 / 13.34 / +53.9%
IBN / 29.95 / 27.82 / +7.66%
WIT / 13.96 / 11.43 / +22.13%
INFY / 70.02 / 77.99 / -10.22%
REDF / 24.10 / 20.83 / +15.7%
SIFY / 12.7 / 9.47 / +34.11%
Overall $7,245.73 +1231.77 +20.48%

Brazil (Brazil1/Brazil2/Brazil3)
Stock / Current / Start / Change(%)
RIO / 43.25 / 40.3 / +7.32%
ITU / 30.43 / 23.49 / +29.54%
EWZ / 39.5 / 33.17 / +19.08%
BBD / 38.09/ 29.41 / +29.51%
GGB / 22.86 / 15.97 / +43.14%
SID / 29.73 / 21.36 / +39.19%
PBR / 84.63 / 68.77 / +23.06%
ERJ / 39.97 / 40.57 / -1.48%
TNE / 17.75 / 18.03 / -1.55%
NTEC / 5.23 / 5.41 / -1.33%
Overall $11,919.79 +$1858.85 +18.48%

Tamiflu
Stock / Current / Start / Change(%)
TEVA / 40.78 / 38.35 / +6.34%
BRL / 64.78 / 56.8 / +14.05%
MYL / 22.94 / 19.94 / +15.05%
Overall $3,373.32 +$356.82 +11.83%

Bird Flu Vaccine
Stock / Current / Start / Change(%)
CHIR / 45.33 / 44.19 / +2.58%
NVS / 55.12 / 54.33 / +1.45%
SNY / 43.87 / 40.68 / +7.84%
MEDI / 35.76 / 34.93 / +2.38%
GSK / 54.4 / 53.09 / +2.47%
NVAX / 5.74 / 3.95 / +46.99%
Overall $6,671.58 +638.91 +10.59%




Top 5 Stocks
GIGM +75.93%
HYGS +48.31%
GGB +43.58%
SID +40.92%
ALTI +40.91%

[Technology] Navigation Magic

The Power of Navigation Recently a colleague of mine bought a new BMW loaded with luxury features such as heated seats and onboard navigation system. One day I finally got a chance to ride the expensive car as we were visiting a client sixty miles away. What I enjoyed the most on this luxury ride was not just the warm heated seat but also the navigation system which guided us thru the complex Los Angeles highway system. What is the magic behind the powerful navigator? It's GPS or Global Positioning System.

GPS is probably one of the most exciting invention of the century. Basically what it does is it allows you to know the exact position you are at right now by receive signal from the satellite orbiting the Earth. Combining a map with the receiver and now you can know where to make the right turn if you are to go to a new destination. As the technology is getting more and more popular, this is probably a good time to take a look at the companies related to this technology. Here they are:

• Garmin Ltd. (GRMN): the George Town, Cayman Islands based company is the world leader in manufacturing global positioning system related products. The company basically sells its products to retail outlets and aircraft manufacturers. For 2005 the company was generating revenue of $1 billion with $798 million coming from the consumer sector. For the previous year the company generated 769 million in total revenue. The stock has also been doing well rising from $40 per share in May of 2005 to $75 today, an 87% jump within a year.
• Trimble Navigation Ltd. (TRMB): the Sunnyvale, CA based company provides GPS technologies to industries such as agriculture, military, construction, transportation and telecommunications. For 2005 the company brought in total revenue of 774 million with most revenue coming from engineering and construction sector. The stock is currently trading at $40.87, slightly higher than a year ago with P/E ratio of 27.37 similar to GRMN.
• Lowrance Electronics Inc. (LEIX): the Tulsa, Oklahoma based company manufactures SONAR and GPS products workdwide. While the SONARs are used primarily for sports fishing, its GPS receivers are used for both marins and nonmarine applications such as automotive and aviation. For the fiscal year of 2005 the company has generated revenue of 146 million, far less then the other two competitors yet 30% better compared to previous year. On January 30 of this year, the company agreed to be acquired by marine eletronics maker Simrad Yachting for $37 per share in cash. Since then the stock has been trading in the $37 range.

Smart Stocks on the Move - March 6

Nanotechnology Stock:

• Nanophase Technologies Corp. (NANX): shares of nanocrystalline materials maker surged 12.52% on supply agreement with Roche Diagnostics. The stock reached to 52 weeks high of $8.31 before ended the day at $7.91, about 31.61% higher than the coverage price of $6.01 on December 1 of last year.

Voice of IP Stock:

• GlobelTel Communications Corp. (GTE): shares of Florida based VoIP service provider rose 8.28% or 27 cents to $3.53. The stock was initially covered in late January at $3.2 per share and has gained 10.31% since then.

Bird Flu Stock:

• Novavax Inc. (NVAX): shares of flu vaccine maker gained 6.85% or 37 cents to $5.77 per share on new partnership with Bharat to develop avian flu vaccine for India and countries in south Asia. Since coverage began in early November at $3.9 per share, the stock has gained 47%.

Smart Stock on the Move - March 3

India Stock:

• Tata Motors Ltd. (TTM): shares of Mumbai, India based car maker rose 5.06% or $1.01 to new 52 weeks high of $20.99 as India's benchmark index passed 10,500 points on strong buying by foreign funds. The stock has gained 57.35% since covered in mid December at $13.34 per share.
• Sify Ltd. (SIFY): shares of India e-commerce service provider gained 5.77% or 73 cents to $13.38. The stock is now 41.29% higher since covered in mid December at $9.47. The stock is currently the secondly leading gainer of India stocks behind Tata Motors.

Voice of IP Stock:

• GlobelTel Communications Corp. (GTE): shares of Pembroke Pines, Florida based VoIP service provider surged 14.39% or 41 cents to $3.26 as the company provided updates for the funding for installation of wireless networks in 30 Russian cities. The stock was initially covered in late January at $3.2 per share.

[Biotechnology] Bird Flu Fear Mounting

Bird Flu Panic Again In the beginning of November, 2005 we began to covered bird flu related stocks such as Tamiflu makers and bird flu vaccine makers. The hype on these stocks last for few weeks and then began to cool off as the day traders began to focus on other buzz making stocks. However the risk of the global outbreak of the deadly virus actually has increased as now not only just Asia but also European countries such as Russia, Greece, Italy, United Kingdom and Germany have found cases of birds death causing by H5N1 bird flu virus.

Although on the other side of the ocean US and countries in the North, Central and South America continent are off the hook of the deadly virus, biologists in Alaska and Canada are predicting the flu could reach our homeland this year. As the fear of global bird flu outbreak resurfaces stocks related to the flu are back to the spotlight such as vaccine maker Novavax(NVAX) which went from $4.2 in Februay 14 to as high as $6.15 on February 28, a 46% gain in just two weeks. Other big winner includes vaccine maker MedImmune(MEDI) which went from $32.5 in early February to as high as $37 at the end of February, a 14% gain in less than a month.

Beside these two vaccine makers, there are other bird flu vaccine makers which we have covered before such as Chiron(CHIR), Novartis(NVS), Sanofi-Aventis(SNY) and Glaxosmithkline(GSK). Today lets take a look at other bird flu related stocks which we have not yet covered:

• Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. (HEB): two drugs that the Philadelphia, PA based biopharmaceutical company produces, Ampligen and Alferon, show potential in fighting the bird flu strain H5N1. After the company unveiling the report, its stock surged as much as 15% the next day from $2.66 per share and was closing at $3.33 today, gaining 25% since the announcement.
• Generex Biotechnology Corp. (GNBT): the Toronto, Canada based drug delivery systems maker had a positive meeting with FDA over its drug development plan on a potential bird flu vaccine. The positive news helped the stock surged as much as 21% the next day from $1.41 per share. The stock is now trading at $2.31 per share, soaring 63.8% since the announcement.
• AVI Biopharma Inc. (AVII): the Portland, Oregon based biopharmaceutical company in January announced that its influenza treatment drug Neugene looks effective in fighting avian flu. The report send the stock from $5.89 in the previous session to as high as $8.88 the next day, elevated more than 50%. The stock is now trading at $7.47 per share, about 27% higher before the positive news.