Saturday, December 23, 2006

Hythiam (HYTM) The stock to own in 2007?

A look at HYTM by StockGeometry contributer Namec:

"Overview from HYTM 10k

We research, develop, license and commercialize innovative physiological treatment protocols designed for use by healthcare providers to treat individuals diagnosed with dependencies to alcohol, cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as combinations of these drugs. Unlike traditional treatment methodologies, our proprietary PROMETA treatment protocols include medically supervised treatments designed to address both the neurochemical imbalances in the brain and some of the nutritional deficits caused or worsened by substance dependence. Changes in brain chemistry and function play an important role in the physical and behavioral symptoms of substance dependence, including tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, craving and relapse. PROMETA represents an innovative approach to managing substance dependence that is designed to address physiological, nutritional and psychosocial aspects of the disease, and is thereby intended to offer patients an opportunity to achieve sustained recovery.

Traditional treatment approaches for substance dependence focus mainly on group therapy, abstinence, and behavioral modification, while the disease’s underlying physiology and pathology is rarely addressed, resulting in fairly high relapse rates. Currently therapies are beginning to target brain receptors thought to play a central role in the disease process. We believe that our PROMETA protocols offer an improvement to traditional treatments because treatments with PROMETA are designed to directly target the pathophysiology induced by chronic use of alcohol or other drugs. Without specific treatment, the abnormalities in brain function induced by chronic drug dependence may take months to years of drug abstinence to return to normal function. We believe the PROMETA protocols offer an advantage to traditional alternatives because they provide a treatment methodology that is discreet, mildly sedating and that can be initiated in only two to three days, with a second two‑day treatment three weeks later for addictive stimulants. Our PROMETA protocols also provide for one‑month of prescription medication and nutritional supplements, combined with psychosocial or other recovery‑oriented therapy chosen by the patient in conjunction with their treatment provider. Initial clinical observations suggest that our protocols may improve cognitive function, reduce withdrawal symptoms, be associated with higher initial completion rates than conventional treatments, and reduce physical cravings which can be a major factor in relapse, thus allowing patients to more meaningfully engage in counseling or other forms of psychosocial therapy. These conclusions were reached during treatment of approximately 400 patients and may not be confirmed by clinical research studies, may not be statistically significant, have not been subjected to close scientific scrutiny, and may not be indicative of the long‑term future performance of our protocols.


We believe the short initial treatment period when using our PROMETA protocols is a major advantage over traditional inpatient treatments and residential treatment programs, which typically consist of approximately 21 days of combined inpatient detoxification and recovery in a rehabilitation or residential treatment center. Treatment with PROMETA does not require an extensive stay at an inpatient facility. Rather, the protocols offer the convenience of a two to three day treatment (addictive stimulants require a second two day treatment three weeks later) and can generally be administered on an outpatient basis. This is particularly relevant since approximately 77% of adults classified with dependence or abuse are employed, and loss of time from work can be a major deterrent for seeking treatment. Moreover, we believe PROMETA can be used at various stages of recovery, including initiation of abstinence and during early recovery, and can complement other forms of alcohol and drug abuse treatments. As such, our protocols offer a potentially valuable alternative or addition to traditional behavioral or pharmotherapy treatments that does not require chronic administration of a pharmacotherapy, thus minimizing compliance issues. Many medications marketed to treat alcohol or drug dependence are not administered until the patient is already abstinent, require long‑term chronic administration and must be taken several times a day to achieve the desired effect.

Substance dependence is a worldwide problem with prevalence rates continuing to rise despite the efforts by national and local health authorities to curtail its growth. Substance dependence disorders affect many people and have wide‑ranging social consequences. In 2004, an estimated 22.5 million Americans suffered from alcohol or other forms of drug abuse or dependence, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Furthermore, according to the survey, approximately 12 million Americans age 12 and older, or 5 percent of the population, are reported as having tried methamphetamine, and the percentage of methamphetamine use characterized as abuse or dependence doubled from 2002 to 2004. Findings from The Drug and Alcohol Services Information System (DASIS) Report published by SAMHSA’s Office of Applied Studies in September 2004 show that methamphetamine hospital admissions as a percent of substance abuse treatment admissions increased from 1% in 1992 to 7% in 2002.

It is commonly reported that addiction to methamphetamine is an epidemic rapidly spreading throughout the U.S. Methamphetamine addicts are highly resistant to treatment and, even after intervention, relapse at very high rates. Methamphetamine use is also spreading to the workplace. A study funded by the Wal‑Mart Foundation in 2004 determined that each methamphetamine‑using employee costs his or her employer $47,500 per year in terms of lost productivity, absenteeism, higher healthcare costs and higher workers’ compensation costs. For county governments and their taxpayers, methamphetamine abuse causes legal, medical, environmental and social problems. A study entitled “The Criminal Effect of Meth on Communities” conducted in 2005 by the National Association of Counties, which surveyed 500 counties in 45 states, reported that 58% of counties surveyed reported methamphetamine as their largest drug problem, with 87% reporting increases in arrests involving methamphetamine starting 3 years ago. Cocaine was reported as the number one drug problem in 19% of the counties. There are currently no generally accepted medical treatments for cocaine or methamphetamine dependence.


Summarizing data from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the economic cost of alcohol and drug abuse exceeds $345 billion annually in the U.S., including $41 billion in healthcare costs and approximately $245 billion in productivity losses. Despite these staggering figures, it is a testament to the unmet need in the market that only 17% of those who need treatment actually receive help. Traditional treatment methods are often not particularly effective, especially when it comes to those who are dependent on stimulants. Often faith, willpower, and counseling are the only options available. Compounding the lack of efficacious treatment options is the enormous stigma of leaving one’s life, income, and loved ones for weeks at a time to seek inpatient treatment.

There are approximately 13,000 facilities reporting to SAMHSA that provide substance abuse treatment on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Historically, the disease of substance dependence has been treated primarily through behavioral intervention, with fairly high relapse rates. The DASIS report states that in 2000 only 54% of those treated for alcoholism and 51% of those treated for cocaine and other stimulants complete detoxification, and that combined alcohol and cocaine outpatient treatment completion rates were only 41%. For patients who do complete treatment, the NIAAA reports relapse rates three months following treatment for alcohol dependence to be 50%. Relapse rates are higher for those suffering from cocaine dependence as opposed to alcohol. For the behavioral treatment of cocaine dependence, the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Survey reports a relapse rate of 69% one year

Our Solution: PROMETAÔ

Those suffering from alcohol and/or drug dependence have often been characterized as having social disorders or a lack of self‑discipline and, as noted above, there are relatively high relapse rates utilizing conventional treatment methods. While we believe the psychological approach to substance dependence treatment is important, we recognize that physiological factors of substance dependence should be addressed first to provide patients with an improved chance for recovery. We believe our physiological approach, focused on addressing the neurochemical imbalances in the brain caused or worsened by substance dependence, provides a substantial commercial opportunity.

Current research indicates that substance dependence is associated with altered cortical activity and changes in neurotransmitter function, which are critical to brain function. Moreover, changes in the neurochemistry of the brain underlie the hallmarks of substance dependence, including tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, craving, decrease in cognitive function and relapse. Our PROMETA protocols include medically supervised treatments, prescription medications and nutritional supplements, combined with psychosocial or other recovery‑oriented therapy chosen by the patient in conjunction with their treatment provider.

The PROMETA treatment protocols provide for:

· A comprehensive physical exam, including specific laboratory tests, prior to initiation of treatment by the treating physician, to determine if the patient is appropriate for the PROMETA protocol

· Medically supervised administration of prescription medications and nutritional supplements

· One‑month of prescription medications and nutritional supplements following the initial treatment

· Individualized continuing care options


Treatment with PROMETA involves the oral and intravenous administration of pharmaceuticals in a medically supervised setting. The medications used in the PROMETA treatment protocols have been approved by the FDA for uses other than treatment of substance dependence. The PROMETA treatment is discreet and does not require long periods away from home or work. Treatment takes place at a hospital facility, clinic or properly equipped outpatient setting by healthcare providers who have licensed the rights to use our PROMETA protocols. The treatment begins with a two‑to‑three day course of prescription medications and nutritional supplements. The PROMETA protocol for stimulant dependence provides for a second, two‑day course of treatment at the facility, which takes place about three weeks after the initial treatment .Some patients may require an additional day of treatment, subject to the treating physician making this decision during the course of the treatment. In general, the intravenous treatment session typically lasts about an hour. Some patients may receive their treatment in a hospital, or “in‑patient” setting. For these patients, the balance of time spent at the treatment facility or hospital is intended to ensure that the patient is well‑rested and comfortable between the relatively short treatment periods. Most patients take meals and choose to sleep much of the time between treatments. For the patients receiving care in an “outpatient” facility, such as a physician’s office or treatment center, their doctor may monitor them for a few hours following the treatment session. Typically, the patient would then be released to an accompanying person and return the following day for completion of their treatment. Following the medically supervised treatments, our protocols provide that patients receive one month of prescription medication and nutritional supplements, and participation in psychosocial or other recovery‑oriented therapy they select with their physician.

Analysis

At first glance HYTM appears to be to good to be true. A simple 2-3 day treatment using off patent drugs eliminates the physical cravings of drug abusers. However, the inital studies have produced remarkable anecdotal evidence that PROMETA seems to really work. There are several double blind placebo controlled studies underway that should be completed in 2007. HYTM is charging a lot of money per treatment but the economic cost of drug abuse is staggering. HYTM needs to be on your radar screen because the upside potential plus media attention could be huge. The chart says the market is starting to believe.....

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To follow up on Namec's comments, HYTM is in a space that has massive potential with few competitors. With a current market cap of only $350 Million next to a $40 Billion market the grow prospects are obvious. The two and a half year weekly chart above shows HYTM is about ready to breakout of a long period of consolidation. After moving up from the 2$ area HYTM has been rangebound for about two years between $5 and $9.75. On each push up towards resistance the volume has increased and the action has been more well behaved. What i mean by well behaved is how the stock reacts with respect to the moving averages. Specifically, on this last run HYTM held it's 50 dma more consistently than before. Also, the on balance volume has steadily been increasing while the stock has remained rangebound, that tells me the stock is being accumulated. I wouldn't jump into HYTM just yet, but as Namec said keep it on your watch list and watch for a move above key resistance at $9.75. If I see this thing trading at $10 or higher I will be all over a calendar spread on the $10 calls, and yes it trades options. However, if you really like the story you might try picking up shares at the 50 dma, or support at $7.50 if it pulls back that far. Happy holidays from us here at stock geometry!

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Are the CIEN & RBAK Bulls Back?

The networking stocks have been on fire lately, with many names staging breakouts like RBAK and CIEN while others continue to make new highs like CSCO. CIEN had a major correction from the high in May but looks ready to resume that uptrend. On a weekly basis (above) CIEN has cleared the moving averages and the only resistance ahead apears to be the previous peaks following the May high. These resistance levels at $30.87, $33.67 and $33.34 would provide short term targets for those who want to trade it aggresively. In the same sector RBAK has similarly been fantastic and looks destined to reach its previous high at $25. After these recent moves both CIEN and RBAK may need to rest, but this would provide a good entry opportunity. The ideal entry on both would be their 200 day moving average's (dma) but a close below these levels would be a strong sell signal.

The catylist for last weeks breakout was CIEN's 4Q earnings report in which they showed a profit for the first time in 5 yrs. RBAK's catylist was a contract from a Chinese telecom providor to provide broadband equipment for IPTV on top of the CIEN report, and CSCO buyout rumors. Both companies are benefiting from a worldwide boost to increase bandwidth which is a trend I wouldn't expect to dissapear anytime soon.

On a less bullish note, ENR looks ready to make the next leg lower. After a bounce from the $65 area ENR looks ready to test its 200 dma which I expect to be in the lower 62's when it gets there. There is also some chart support at $62 so this is where I would expect it to bounce next.
Happy holiday trading!

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Massey Energy (MEE) and Oil Priced in Gold

That inverted Head and Shoulders (H&S) I mentioned on coal company Massey Energy (MEE) completed a few weeks ago and the chart couldn't look better. Last week MEE formed a textbook bull flag and looks ready to resume the uptrend early this week. I like this well behaved stock and it has plenty of room to run to get back to the former highs. Next week it should pop as it fills a small gap made back in late July, see the chart for more color:
As you know I am quite bullish on energy after oil bottomed and in fact many oil stocks have been making new highs lately. For those who might argue that oil is only going up because it is priced in US dollars which have been very weak lately take a look at the chart below. I have USO (oil etf) divided by GLD (gold etf) which effectively gives you oil priced in gold. You will see a clear break of the downtrend there and what looks to me like much more upside ahead. Also, more on the decline in the US dollar later this week.
For those of you who are here looking for options expiration (friday) trades I suggest you focus very closely on the exchanges sector. I suspect ICE puts will be the trade of the week, but I have clearly been wrong on ICE lately. NYX has been closing at the lows almost everyday since it last made a new high and a top is blatantly obvious to me there. NDAQ has formed a small H&S on it's daily that will complete on a close below 36 (also the 50 dma). And ICE, well the chart looks pretty bullish, but I think the excitement over the vote after the close monday to merge with the NYBOT is way over done. In the least i would expect this to be a sell the news play and in the most it could start to drop fast monday morning and not look back all week. Thats just my gut feeling, you have too many people banging the table for $120 on expected news. Also, take a look at the open interest on the dec ICE options, there will be downward pressure from all those calls 95$ and up that recently went in the money. Im not a big believer in max pain theory, but max pain will certainly be lower than ICE currently trades.

disclosure:
I own ICE puts and MEE calls.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Oil Breaks Out, Exchanges Top, Broad Distribution

So I think the charts pretty much speak for themselves but I have a few comments to add. Be sure to click on each chart for a better veiw of what is going on. I would now say that oil is definately in a confirmed uptrend until USO breaks below it's 50dma, this means buy energy stocks. My favorite charts in the sector are MEE, BTU, MRO, XTO, CVX and the etf's XLE and OIH. But to be honest every energy stock i look at has an awesome chart.

Last week the exchanges saw some major selling after a huge run-up of the entire sector. The worst hit were NDAQ, NYX, NMX and ICE. The New York Stock Exchange (NYX) for example, made a parabolic run through 100$ on speculation that the merger with european exchange Euronext would be approved. Par (100) had made a good target but it was met with major selling and now there are a ton of new NYX holders in the red. In the very least the stock needs to pullback to a support zone near it's 50dma around 85$. I don't expect the previous high just over 90 to hold, but it may provide an intermediate bounce.
The weekly ICE chart below looks like it may have formed it's second major top since the IPO. Many aspects of the chart look similar to the last peak. I would target the 50 dma first then a rising trendline currently around $75.
With the exchanges leading this market higher for weeks as oil went lower the broad indicies had a major run higher. With the leadership being taken out and oil reversing the dow, s&p and nasdaq all saw a major week of distribution. I don't want to speculate too much here other than to say watch for more signs of weakness as this market may be forming a top or at least correcting.

Disclosure: I own NYX puts.