Biotech Buyouts

They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. We’ll see about that. March started with a strong rally that’s added +50 points, or 4.4% to the S&P 500. That’s as good a monthly performance as you’ll find. Perhaps too good…   

Stocks have come so far, some are now wondering, what’s left? And after today’s ADP Employer Services employment report showed that private companies cut payrolls by 23,000 in March. That’s a far cry from the gain of 40,000 economists were expecting from this report. And it raises the fear that Friday’s release of the Labor Department’s Nonfarm Payroll report will come in far short of the expected 190,000 jobs growth.   

Of course, the government’s report will include census workers, so it’s likely to better than the ADP report. But still, the market is left waiting for jobs growth.   

There is some good news out today. Applications for mortgage loans rose for the first time in three weeks to the highest level since October. Most believe that the homebuyer tax credit is having minimal effect on home purchases now. So we may be seeing real demand pick up that can be sustained after the tax credit expires in April.   

Also, Bloomberg is reporting that Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) is hiring. Unfortunately, most of the new jobs will be overseas as the company looks to expand into new markets.     

Today also marks the final day of the First Quarter. That means earnings season is not far off.  We haven’t seen much in the way of improved guidance for the 1^st Quarter, but we haven’t seen many warnings, either.   

That bodes well for next earnings season. And if you haven’t noticed the run retail stocks have been on, you’re missing what may be an important bit of foreshadowing. 

Even though unemployment remains stubbornly high, Americans are spending money. And not just on small things, either. Auto sales are running very strong, helped by discounts at Toyota (NYSE:TM). And speaking of Toyota, I added it to the Top Stock Insights portfolio on February 23. We entered within pennies of the lows for the stock as it sold off after manufacturing issues prompted a massive recall. 

I believe this situation allowed my readers to buy one of the world’s best companies at a 30% discount. And we’re already up 13%. 

There’s been another big move in the biotech sector. GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) just partnered up with Isis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:ISIS) in a deal that could be worth as much $1.5 billion for Isis over time.   

Isis is up around 10% today. But there are likely more gains coming for it, and other biotech stocks.   

We’ve seen several blockbuster biotech deals already this year as Big Pharma seeks to expand their product offerings. Intermune (Nasdaq:ITMN) has run from $10 to $38 this year, and we’ve also seen 62% gains from Facet Biotech (Nasdaq:FACT) and 54% gains from OSI Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:OSIP). There will be more…   

TradeMaster Daily Stock Alert’s has been all over this trend. In fact, his latest Special 0pportunity Report featuring 5 biotech stocks that could run 62% to 458% is available now. Click HERE for details.