investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Reminder that Lebron James is a CCP Shill who chose to side with Communists rather than his own coun

Reminder that Lebron James is a CCP Shill who chose to side with Communists rather than his own country.

LeBron isn ’ t really a traitor , he is just stupid .
LeBron just sharing his opinion of Trump voters .
His actions are traitorous , but he is too stupid to understand what the world is about .
His schooling ended when he was 14 or so .
Except for basketball , he knows about shoes and money .
The Chinese Civil War , the 75million Chinese killed by Mao , communism , these are things LeBron has no idea about .
When one NBA team employee wished those in Hong Kong well , LeBron opened up his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to get into a [ verbal ] feud with Daryl Morey , but I believe he wasn ’ t educated on the situation at hand , and he spoke , ” James said before the Los Angeles Lakers played the Golden State Warriors in a preseason game at Staples Center .
“ And so many people could have been harmed not only financially , physically , emotionally , spiritually .
So just be careful what we tweet and say and we do , even though , yes , we do have freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of negative that comes with that , too.
” LeBron would not know that Hillary thinks he is a “ Super-Predator ” .
He wouldn ’ t know that Hillary would use prisoners as unpaid workers in her Arkansas Governor mansion , or that she sold their blood .
LeBron doesn ’ t really know anything .
I support Hillary because she will build on the legacy of my good friend , President Barack Obama .
I believe in what President Obama has done for our country and support her commitment @ @ @ @ @

LeBron isn’t really a traitor, he is just stupid.
“At the end of the day, I don’t think a lot of people was educated,”
LeBron just sharing his opinion of Trump voters.
His actions are traitorous, but he is too stupid to understand what the world is about. His schooling ended when he was 14 or so.
Except for basketball, he knows about shoes and money. The Chinese Civil War, the 75million Chinese killed by Mao, communism, these are things LeBron has no idea about.
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When one NBA team employee wished those in Hong Kong well, LeBron opened up his mouth:
“I don’t want to get into a [verbal] feud with Daryl Morey, but I believe he wasn’t educated on the situation at hand, and he spoke,” James said before the Los Angeles Lakers played the Golden State Warriors in a preseason game at Staples Center. “And so many people could have been harmed not only financially, physically, emotionally, spiritually. So just be careful what we tweet and say and we do, even though, yes, we do have freedom of speech, but there can be a lot of negative that comes with that, too.”
LeBron would not know that Hillary thinks he is a “Super-Predator”. He wouldn’t know that Hillary would use prisoners as unpaid workers in her Arkansas Governor mansion, or that she sold their blood. LeBron doesn’t really know anything.
I support Hillary because she will build on the legacy of my good friend, President Barack Obama. I believe in what President Obama has done for our country and support her commitment to continuing that legacy.
h/t magnokor


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Grassley sniffed out DOJ’s corruption in the Flynn case years ago, and Rosenstein responded with the

Grassley sniffed out DOJ’s corruption in the Flynn case years ago, and Rosenstein responded with the proverbial middle finger. Why? Because Rosenstein knew the FBI and DOJ, not Flynn, were the guilty parties.

And I knew Barr was corrupt when he sent off Rosenstein into retirement with songs of praise and adoration for @ @ @ @ @

April 27, 2020 letter to Barr: "After that June 2018 letter, my staff and I met with Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein where he resisted congressional oversight and suggested that Congress should be satisfied with the facts described in the plea agreement." 3/3 pic.twitter.com/Nf4KDnqw8O — Jason Foster (@JsnFostr) April 28, 2020
And I knew Barr was corrupt when he sent off Rosenstein into retirement with songs of praise and adoration for decades of marvelous service.
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After Years of Hiding Emails from General Flynn, His Former Attorneys at Covington Law Firm Where Obama's "Wingman" Is Partner Suddenly Discovers Thousands of Documents Related to Case t.co/p89XiiD8Hp via @gatewaypundit — Jim Hoft (@gatewaypundit) April 29, 2020
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Chanel Rion: “Florida was predicted to be the next Italy but has led the charge in beating the odds

Chanel Rion: “Florida was predicted to be the next Italy but has led the charge in beating the odds against this virus..”

The sunshine state , which unlike Italy didn ’ t have a host of flights from wuhan or an existing @ @ @ @ @ stay inside is really the craziest thing the parrot media ever tried to re-enforce .

The sunshine state, which unlike Italy didn’t have a host of flights from wuhan or an existing microcosm. Being told to stay inside is really the craziest thing the parrot media ever tried to re-enforce.
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investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, reportedly said Wednesday that a seco

Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s leading infectious disease expert , reportedly said Wednesday that a second wave of @ @ @ @ @ ” later this year .
“ If by that time we have put into place @ @ @ @ @ you need to address this , we should do reasonably well , ” Fauci told @ @ @ @ @ “ If we don ’ t do that successfully , we could be in for @ @ @ @ @ bad winter.
” The head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said @ @ @ @ @ too quickly , the country could see a surge that would “ get us right @ @ @ @ @ that we were a few weeks ago , ” adding that widespread testing is needed @ @ @ @ @ .

Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, reportedly said Wednesday that a second wave of the coronavirus is “inevitable” later this year.
“If by that time we have put into place all of the countermeasures that you need to address this, we should do reasonably well,” Fauci told CNN in an interview. “If we don’t do that successfully, we could be in for a bad fall and a bad winter.”
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The head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said that if states ease restrictions too quickly, the country could see a surge that would “get us right back in the same boat that we were a few weeks ago,” adding that widespread testing is needed to avoid such a path.
thehill.com/homenews/news/495215-fauci-second-wave-of-coronavirus-in-fall-inevitable


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--First hand account from a pork producer on how bad the meat industry is.

The author of this piece is a pork producer from Nebraska who has first-hand knowledge of what is not being said about the meat industry in the media .
In short , there will be extensive shortages in the very near future .
He explains why in the article .
In all of my years as a pork producer I ’ ve never seen it this bad before .
We have had bad times in 1998 , then in 2008 when the swine flu decimated hog prices but nothing is going to compare to what is going to happen over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With packers telling farmers they can only take a small portion of their animals and some are even being told they will not take any at all a huge log jam effect is happening .
Every week baby pigs are still being born by the thousands , they are normally moved out of the farrowing sheds and into nurseries and then on to finishing buildings before they eventually are shipped to packers .
With buildings full farmers have nowhere to go with incoming babies .
When all the building space is taken up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manage this problem .
We will be forced to euthanize entire buildings of pigs .
Comment : This is why Trump is forcing the packing plants to stay open…so the entire meat industry does not collapse .

The author of this piece is a pork producer from Nebraska who has first-hand knowledge of what is not being said about the meat industry in the media.
In short, there will be extensive shortages in the very near future.
He explains why in the article.
After several days of deliberating with myself I finally made the decision to take those photos last night. I needed an… Posted by Jim Bartling on Sunday, April 19, 2020
Brief excerpt:
In all of my years as a pork producer I’ve never seen it this bad before. We have had bad times in 1998, then in 2008 when the swine flu decimated hog prices but nothing is going to compare to what is going to happen over the next few weeks and months.
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With packers telling farmers they can only take a small portion of their animals and some are even being told they will not take any at all a huge log jam effect is happening.
Every week baby pigs are still being born by the thousands, they are normally moved out of the farrowing sheds and into nurseries and then on to finishing buildings before they eventually are shipped to packers. With buildings full farmers have nowhere to go with incoming babies. When all the building space is taken up there will be only one way to manage this problem. We will be forced to euthanize entire buildings of pigs.
Comment: This is why Trump is forcing the packing plants to stay open…so the entire meat industry does not collapse.
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Dow jones:  Watching the celebrating wounded bulls getting excited is of concern …Text book counter

Dow jones:  Watching the celebrating wounded bulls getting excited is of concern …Text book counter rally nearing its culminating high.

Will be a monster sell off shortly .
All this bullish talk makes me ever more bearish .
I saw @ @ @ @ @ after the initial sell off TOOK 8 weeks to get to the .618 level before @ @ @ @ @ the back to normal phase WHICH is the smoke signal of the END

Will be a monster sell off shortly.
All this bullish talk makes me ever more bearish.
I saw the same thing in 08 after the initial sell off TOOK 8 weeks to get to the .618 level before crashing.
We are in the back to normal phase
WHICH is the smoke signal of the END
— The Great Martis (@great_martis) April 29, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--I don’t know anyone who understands fundamentals who could look at this $TSLA report and say I gotta

I don’t know anyone who understands fundamentals who could look at this $TSLA report and say I gotta own this

I don't know anyone who understands fundamentals who could look at this $TSLA report and say I gotta own this t.co/cYx9oOry8G — Thomas Thornton (@TommyThornton) April 29, 2020
$TSLA recognized $354 million in regulatory credits, a 166% QoQ increase. Without these credits $TSLA lost ~ $340 Million Company lost money on everything except bilking the taxpayer. — Investment Boarder (@Wheels88Fortune) April 29, 2020
My favorite. It's all make believe, but to think the $TSLA solar business is anything other than a legal crutch/joke takes either 1) Profound stupidity, or 2) A paycheck from the criminal Elon Musk. $tslaQ t.co/C5cCGcclW9 — Machine Planet (@Paul91701736) April 29, 2020
How can accounts receivable still be $1.27B???$TSLAQ — TeslaCharts (@TESLAcharts) April 29, 2020
#ElonMusk's #Tesla – A Myriad Of Conflict's Of Interest – #Musk Controls The Compensation Committee That Each Get Paid In #Stock. Two Sets Of Rules. St. Elon & His Cult Are Above The Law @secenforcement @SEC_Enforcement pic.twitter.com/2fJcwsMm8O — Planet Ponzi (@PlanetPonzi) April 29, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Macy’s, JCPenney, Neiman Marcus, and now Saks Fifth Avenue: in just a few weeks, the four core pilla

Macy ’ s , JCPenney , Neiman Marcus , and now Saks Fifth Avenue : in just a few weeks , the four core pillars and anchor tennants of the US mall sector will file for bankruptcy .
While we previously reported that the former two retail icons had entered their bond grace period ahead of filing a formal Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition , on Wednesday afternoon Bloomberg reported that Hudson ’ s Bay Co had also missed its April payments on at least two commercial mortgage-backed securities that were part of $ 696 million in financing for Saks Fifth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , originated in 2015 , were current until this month when the company missed interest-only debt payments totaling only $ 3.2 million , according to data compiled by Bloomberg and a person familiar with the matter .
According to Bloomberg , the missed payments were on securities that financed 34 properties – 10 Saks and 24 Lord & Taylor stores .
The Saks locations include Beverly Hills , California , Atlanta , Chicago and Miami .
Demonstrating the shock to the retail sector over the past month , almost 11 % of retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days delinquent this month , up from 1.7 % in March , according to an April 23 report by the CRE Finance Council , a commercial real estate trade group .

via Zerohedge:
Macy’s, JCPenney, Neiman Marcus, and now Saks Fifth Avenue: in just a few weeks, the four core pillars and anchor tennants of the US mall sector will file for bankruptcy.
While we previously reported that the former two retail icons had entered their bond grace period ahead of filing a formal Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition, on Wednesday afternoon Bloomberg reported that Hudson’s Bay Co had also missed its April payments on at least two commercial mortgage-backed securities that were part of $696 million in financing for Saks Fifth Avenue and other stores.
The securities, originated in 2015, were current until this month when the company missed interest-only debt payments totaling only $3.2 million, according to data compiled by Bloomberg and a person familiar with the matter. According to Bloomberg, the missed payments were on securities that financed 34 properties – 10 Saks and 24 Lord & Taylor stores. The Saks locations include Beverly Hills, California, Atlanta, Chicago and Miami.
Demonstrating the shock to the retail sector over the past month, almost 11% of retail CMBS loans were as much as 30 days delinquent this month, up from 1.7% in March, according to an April 23 report by the CRE Finance Council, a commercial real estate trade group.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Remdisivir probably doesn’t work from current study results

So what ’ s up , I ’ m not expert but I do have a university background that includes research processes , pharmacology , and statistics .
So the purpose of this study investors.gilead.com/node/36871/pdf was to examine whether a 5 versus 10 day course of remdesivir was preferable .
It wasn ’ t whether it was effective , it wasn ’ t whether it was safe , simply comparing the 5 and 10 day course of treatment .
So for any drug you expect what ’ s called a dose-response curve , which includes things like ed50 , ld50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a substance a person is given , the more of a response up until it ’ s an effective dose , and if you keep going it ’ s lethal .
Anyhoo , the one major finding that can be taken from this paper as released isn ’ t that remdesivir helped anyone , it isn ’ t that remdesivir was safe or effective , it was that the longer a patient was on remdesivir the worse they did .
“ These data are encouraging as they indicate that patients who received a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar clinical improvement as patients who received a 10-day treatment course , ” said Aruna Subramanian , MD , Clinical Professor of Medicine , Chief , Immunocompromised Host Infectious Diseases , Stanford University School of Medicine , and one of the lead investigators of the study .
“ While additional data are still needed , these results help to bring a clearer understanding of how treatment with remdesivir may be optimized , if proven safe and effective.
” Basically in almost any circumstance you would not expect less treatment to yield a larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was some sort of floor or ceiling effect .
Instead the most probable explanation is that remdesivir doesn ’ t work .
They ’ re trying to pre-emptively spin that one niggling fact .
edit : otherwise this study was not controlled , blinded , or compared in any way , and wasn ’ t actually really a research study as most people would understand it .
There are blinded and controlled studies , but those results would be unknown because they ’ re blinded .
edit 2 : To make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the 10 day group .
edit : they lay out their figures poorly , but deaths were actually 8 % in the 5 day , and 11 % in the 10 day .
Way higher .
All the figures are laid out in a really confusing way Clinical recovery 129 ( 65 ) 106 ( 54 ) 0.17 Discharge 120 ( 60 ) 103 ( 52 ) 0.44 Death 16 ( 8 ) 21 ( 11 ) 0.70 Safety Any adverse event ( AE ) 141 ( 71 ) 145 ( 74 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 ( 4 ) 10 ( 5 ) 0.65 Study drug-related serious adverse event ( SAE ) 3 ( 2 ) 4 ( 2 ) 0.73 AE leading to discontinuation 9 ( 5 ) 20 ( 10 ) 0.07 The last numbers seem to be p values , which if so means nothing was significant in this study , as p < .05 is the minimal standard for anything .
So 5 day remdesivir condition shows a better recovery rate and a better death rate than the 10 day condition .
The difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
This is a POOR study result that is masquerading as a home run .
Disclaimer : This is a guest post and it doesn ’ t necessarily represent the views of IWB .

by SweetPot-tay-toes
So what’s up, I’m not expert but I do have a university background that includes research processes, pharmacology, and statistics.
So the purpose of this study investors.gilead.com/node/36871/pdf was to examine whether a 5 versus 10 day course of remdesivir was preferable. It wasn’t whether it was effective, it wasn’t whether it was safe, simply comparing the 5 and 10 day course of treatment.
So for any drug you expect what’s called a dose-response curve, which includes things like ed50, ld50, etc., and the more of a substance a person is given, the more of a response up until it’s an effective dose, and if you keep going it’s lethal.
Anyhoo, the one major finding that can be taken from this paper as released isn’t that remdesivir helped anyone, it isn’t that remdesivir was safe or effective, it was that the longer a patient was on remdesivir the worse they did.
Quoth the paper,
“These data are encouraging as they indicate that patients who received a shorter, 5-day course of remdesivir experienced similar clinical improvement as patients who received a 10-day treatment course,” said Aruna Subramanian, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Chief, Immunocompromised Host Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, and one of the lead investigators of the study. “While additional data are still needed, these results help to bring a clearer understanding of how treatment with remdesivir may be optimized, if proven safe and effective.”
Basically in almost any circumstance you would not expect less treatment to yield a larger and better effect, other than if there was some sort of floor or ceiling effect. Instead the most probable explanation is that remdesivir doesn’t work.
They’re trying to pre-emptively spin that one niggling fact.
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edit: otherwise this study was not controlled, blinded, or compared in any way, and wasn’t actually really a research study as most people would understand it. There are blinded and controlled studies, but those results would be unknown because they’re blinded.
edit 2: To make it clear, similar outcome = substantially worse for the 10 day group.
edit: they lay out their figures poorly, but deaths were actually 8% in the 5 day, and 11% in the 10 day. Way higher. All the figures are laid out in a really confusing way
Clinical recovery 129 (65) 106 (54) 0.17 Discharge 120 (60) 103 (52) 0.44 Death 16 (8) 21 (11) 0.70 Safety Any adverse event (AE) 141 (71) 145 (74) 0.86 Grade ≥3 study drug-related AE 8 (4) 10 (5) 0.65 Study drug-related serious adverse event (SAE) 3 (2) 4 (2) 0.73 AE leading to discontinuation 9 (5) 20 (10) 0.07
The last numbers seem to be p values, which if so means nothing was significant in this study, as p < .05 is the minimal standard for anything. So 5 day remdesivir condition shows a better recovery rate and a better death rate than the 10 day condition. The difference is non significant, therefore “similar”.
This is a POOR study result that is masquerading as a home run.
Disclaimer: This is a guest post and it doesn’t necessarily represent the views of IWB.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--The fact that Powell actually has confidence in the ability of government policy to help the economy

The fact that Powell actually has confidence in the ability of government policy to help the economy is further proof of his incompetence as Fed Chairman. It’s free market forces, not central government planning, that helps an economy grow. Government policy just gets in the way.

The fact that Powell actually has confidence in the ability of government policy to help the economy is further proof of his incompetence as Fed Chairman. It's free market forces, not central government planning, that helps an economy grow. Government policy just gets in the way. — Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) April 29, 2020
What the Fed in essence is saying is that they will stay all in forever.
Why? Because there will always be issues and uncertainty.
And they've already proven in Q4 of 2018 that they can't handle any. t.co/HkWnOKMAXy — Sven Henrich (@NorthmanTrader) April 29, 2020
Confidence in algos is soaring pic.twitter.com/xRY7BEqxAW — Alessio Urban (@AlessioUrban) April 29, 2020
POWELL SAYS FED IS NOT GOING TO BE IN ANY HURRY TO WITHDRAW SUPPORT FOR RAY DALIO — Rudy Havenstein, gradually, then suddenly. (@RudyHavenstein) April 29, 2020
Powell: "We operate under the laws that Congress passes." Read the law. 13(3) requires security "sufficient to protect taxpayers from losses." Bonds are not THEIR OWN security. I've got a question for Powell. What color and size jumpsuits do FOMC members want?@byHeatherLong pic.twitter.com/ElqVcWqV5B — John P. Hussman (@hussmanjp) April 29, 2020
Jay Powell: “We build confidence in the markets.” Ergo, firms that would have had to come to Fed for bail out were able to obtain financing in markets. EXCEPT…De facto INSOLVENT firms that have been thrown lifeline via speculators are not legally ABLE to go directly to Fed — Danielle DiMartino Booth (@DiMartinoBooth) April 29, 2020
Why the Economy Was Even Worse Than the GDP Reportt.co/sMBdDYhdsw — Stalingrad & Poorski (@Stalingrad_Poor) April 29, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--“It’s almost set up to fail. It was made complicated so people would get discouraged and give up,”

“ It ’ s almost set up to fail .
It was made complicated so people would get discouraged and @ @ @ @ @ '' Over 50 % of malls with department stores are predicted to close by 2021 @ @ @ @ @ says '' t.co/FGVEerVkca More than 1bn informal workers face poverty as job losses soar t.co/oHBImnC5E8 @ @ @ @ @ is over after almost 11 years , with the deepest recession in at least eight @ @ @ @ @ ⚠ # Germany may have to restore a stricter # lockdown as its number & @ @ @ @ @ grew again .
Just 9 days after relaxing restrictions on 3/20 , its R0 ( @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus infections from 1 case ) rose from 0.7 to 0.96 .

“It’s almost set up to fail. It was made complicated so people would get discouraged and give up,” t.co/tti8GFEYaF
"Over 50% of malls with department stores are predicted to close by 2021, real estate services firm says" t.co/FGVEerVkca
More than 1bn informal workers face poverty as job losses soar t.co/oHBImnC5E8
The record-long U.S. economic expansion is over after almost 11 years, with the deepest recession in at least eight decades now under way t.co/0f7fBDrGUi
⚠#Germany may have to restore a stricter #lockdown as its number & rate of #COVID19 cases grew again.
Just 9 days after relaxing restrictions on 3/20, its R0 (average # of new #coronavirus infections from 1 case) rose from 0.7 to 0.96.
R0>1 👉🏼 OUTBREAK.t.co/AMxOVmmJy4
— Dr. Dena Grayson (@DrDenaGrayson) April 29, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--This market feels like a game of Russian roulette where everyone is hoping the reality bullet isn’t

This market feels like a game of Russian roulette where everyone is hoping the reality bullet isn’t in the chamber.

This market feels like a game of Russian roulette where everyone is hoping the reality bullet is n't in the @ @ @ @ @ pledges to keep rates near zero until full employment , inflation come back I 'm @ @ @ @ @ Fed is inflating a further asset bubble , is widening wealth inequality , disconnecting asset @ @ @ @ @ of the economy and , fwiw , my sense is all that is setting up @ @ @ @ @ t.co/fnc3aPAZys

This market feels like a game of Russian roulette where everyone is hoping the reality bullet isn't in the chamber. @EconguyRosie
Fed pledges to keep rates near zero until full employment, inflation come back
I'm pointing out reality.
The Fed is inflating a further asset bubble, is widening wealth inequality, disconnecting asset prices from the underlying size of the economy and, fwiw, my sense is all that is setting up for a selling opportunity. t.co/fnc3aPAZys
— Sven Henrich (@NorthmanTrader) April 29, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--NYT Buries the Lede, Powell May Reassess Securities Purchases

Mr. Powell may also indicate the Fed ’ s thinking about its limitations — for example , whether it can continue to buy securities without consequence .
Also , 1 % of S & P500 stocks account for 20 % of its value .
According to data from Goldman Sachs , the top 10 stocks in the S & P 500 this month accounted for roughly 27 percent of the total value of the index .
That surpassed the previous peak , which came during the tech stock frenzy of the late 1990s .
The top five companies alone — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Facebook — account for 20 percent of the index .
Historically , investors funneling into a few stocks is bad , mmkay .
NYT seems to think it ’ s not a problem .
he is betting that their financial stability will allow them to avoid layoffs and continue investing in product development and research during the downturn What ’ s the consensus on the concentration of investment into fewer companies ?
Disclaimer : This information is only for educational purposes .
Do not make any investment decisions based on the information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due diligence .

by jiannone
Bulls okay?
Mr. Powell may also indicate the Fed’s thinking about its limitations — for example, whether it can continue to buy securities without consequence.
Also, 1% of S&P500 stocks account for 20% of its value.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
According to data from Goldman Sachs, the top 10 stocks in the S&P 500 this month accounted for roughly 27 percent of the total value of the index. That surpassed the previous peak, which came during the tech stock frenzy of the late 1990s. The top five companies alone — Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Alphabet and Facebook — account for 20 percent of the index.
Historically, investors funneling into a few stocks is bad, mmkay. NYT seems to think it’s not a problem.
he is betting that their financial stability will allow them to avoid layoffs and continue investing in product development and research during the downturn
What’s the consensus on the concentration of investment into fewer companies?
Disclaimer: This information is only for educational purposes. Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article. Do you own due diligence.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Why GILD release is bunk again

Why GILD release is bunk again

This GILD release is absurd .
It ’ s an uncontrolled study of 5 vs 10 day treatment .
8 % died in the 5 day and 11 % in the 10 day .
More were also discharged in the 5 day ( 60 vs 52 % ) and “ clinically recovered ” ( 65 vs 54 % ) .
We dont have a control group so we have no idea if those numbers are good .
They included “ severe ” patients who were NOT on a ventilator .
No other high quality research specifically published those numbers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data showed 8 % mortality among non ventilated hospitalized patients and 15 % among ventilated ( 10 % overall ) ( www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2010419 ) Not a whole lot of difference , is it ?
Best case , 8-11 % mortality versus 15 % but we know that 15 % group is sicker , on ventilation already .
Worst case , no effect at all with 8 % mortality among non ventilated patients .
What is “ Severe ” ?
It ’ s not clear .
According to their clinicaltrials.gov filing , the only thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the inclusion criteria is O2 sat < 94 % .
They exclude people with liver or kidney dysfunction , or who are on ventilation .
If that ’ s really the whole of it , “ Severe ” is a pretty weak designation .
MOST hospitalized patients for COVID meet this criteria !
The new york data doesn ’ t publish this number , but the series of the first 12 covid patients in america had 12/12 reaching < 94 % at some point ( www.google.com/url ?
sa=t & rct=j & q= @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ved=2ahUKEwi4pICA5o3pAhU8CTQIHfC1CCIQFjAEegQIBRAB & url=https % 3A % 2F % 2Fwww.medrxiv.org % 2Fcontent % 2F10.1101 % 2F2020.03.09.20032896v1.full.pdf & usg=AOvVaw34JqTf84qOxyNsuTjMj7aa ) So what does this mean ?
Their population is probably the same or very similar to the “ non-ventilated ” group at New York .
Patients are generally not hospitalized with normal O2 sats – mild disease is sent home .
Now , new york does report first 3 hour data for oxygen use ( not saturation ) - 48 % within the FIRST 3 HOURS of admission were on oxygen ( generally you won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sat > 94 % ) .
Gilead is light on the details with regards to when they are recruiting people – if it ’ s within hours of admission , sure , maybe only half of hospitalized patients meet their criteria .
If not , then it ’ s well known that O2 sats drift downward as the disease progresses , so if they ’ re recruiting people along the way that will be MOST if not all hospitalized patients .
Further more , did you notice the trend between groups ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significance ( 10 had 0.75 the odds of a good outcome versus 5 ) .
They did this study to find out if a shorter course worked .
It ’ s always nice to see a “ dose response curve ” in trials like this .
Basically , more drug is usually better… just not enough to merit increased cost or side effects .
In this case , we have a trend toward less drug being better .
That speaks to either statistical variance from a drug that doesn ’ t work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 % stopped due to side effects in the 5 day group vs 10 % in the 10 day group , but there ’ s no logical reason to believe the increased stop rate occurred early on – each dose is the same , it ’ s just the length that ’ s modulated .
So I would argue the difference in good outcomes is evidence against efficacy , not adverse effects .
I ’ m not buying these results until they publish the placebo controlled data .
Fyi that china data was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : This information is only for educational purposes .
Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article .
Do you own due diligence .

by Xinlitik
This GILD release is absurd. It’s an uncontrolled study of 5 vs 10 day treatment. 8% died in the 5 day and 11% in the 10 day. More were also discharged in the 5 day (60 vs 52%) and “clinically recovered” (65 vs 54%).
We dont have a control group so we have no idea if those numbers are good. They included “severe” patients who were NOT on a ventilator. No other high quality research specifically published those numbers to my knowledge, but the new york data showed 8% mortality among non ventilated hospitalized patients and 15% among ventilated (10% overall) (www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2010419)
Not a whole lot of difference, is it? Best case, 8-11% mortality versus 15% but we know that 15% group is sicker, on ventilation already. Worst case, no effect at all with 8% mortality among non ventilated patients.
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What is “Severe”? It’s not clear. According to their clinicaltrials.gov filing, the only thing related to disease severity I can find in the inclusion criteria is O2 sat <94%. They exclude people with liver or kidney dysfunction, or who are on ventilation. If that’s really the whole of it, “Severe” is a pretty weak designation. MOST hospitalized patients for COVID meet this criteria! The new york data doesn’t publish this number, but the series of the first 12 covid patients in america had 12/12 reaching <94% at some point (www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&ved=2ahUKEwi4pICA5o3pAhU8CTQIHfC1CCIQFjAEegQIBRAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medrxiv.org%2Fcontent%2F10.1101%2F2020.03.09.20032896v1.full.pdf&usg=AOvVaw34JqTf84qOxyNsuTjMj7aa) So what does this mean? Their population is probably the same or very similar to the “non-ventilated” group at New York. Patients are generally not hospitalized with normal O2 sats – mild disease is sent home. Now, new york does report first 3 hour data for oxygen use (not saturation)- 48% within the FIRST 3 HOURS of admission were on oxygen (generally you won’t be on oxygen with a sat >94%). Gilead is light on the details with regards to when they are recruiting people – if it’s within hours of admission, sure, maybe only half of hospitalized patients meet their criteria. If not, then it’s well known that O2 sats drift downward as the disease progresses, so if they’re recruiting people along the way that will be MOST if not all hospitalized patients.
Further more, did you notice the trend between groups? The 5 day did marginally better without reaching significance (10 had 0.75 the odds of a good outcome versus 5). They did this study to find out if a shorter course worked. It’s always nice to see a “dose response curve” in trials like this. Basically, more drug is usually better… just not enough to merit increased cost or side effects. In this case, we have a trend toward less drug being better. That speaks to either statistical variance from a drug that doesn’t work, or a harmful drug. Now, 5% stopped due to side effects in the 5 day group vs 10% in the 10 day group, but there’s no logical reason to believe the increased stop rate occurred early on – each dose is the same, it’s just the length that’s modulated. So I would argue the difference in good outcomes is evidence against efficacy, not adverse effects.
I’m not buying these results until they publish the placebo controlled data. Fyi that china data was placebo controlled and showed jack.
Disclaimer: This information is only for educational purposes. Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article. Do you own due diligence.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--The bottom 50% of consumers wasn’t in great shape before this recession. Now, 15% of households expe

The bottom 50% of consumers wasn’t in great shape before this recession. Now, 15% of households expect to be delinquent on their loans in the next 3 months.

Heading into this recession , consumers were in relatively good shape on a historical basis .
They were in dramatically better shape than they were at the end of the last expansion because that was the peak of the long term debt cycle .
It ’ s tough to have as much leverage as there was at the peak of the housing bubble because mortgage debt is by far the biggest liability on the consumer ’ s balance sheet .
The consumer naturally looks good when there are low interest rates along with the lowest unemployment rate in decades .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Q4 2019 was 76 % which was near the cycle trough which was the lowest rate in at least 14 years .
It fell throughout the expansion .
Household debt service payments as a percentage of disposable income was 9.7 % which was near the cycle low .
The cycle trough was the lowest ratio since at least 1980 .
While the consumer didn ’ t leverage up this cycle like in previous ones , that ’ s not to say the consumer was impenetrable .
53 % of American households had no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can see from the chart above , it took until 2019 for the bottom 50 % of households to recover their net worth losses in real terms .
It took 10 years of an expansion to recover the money lost .
It ’ s important to understand this nuance .
Overall , consumer debt wasn ’ t going to cause a recession because it wasn ’ t unsustainable .
However , many people in the bottom 50 % were struggling .
This is why many progressives pushed the Fed to leave rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a high school degree were finally starting to do well in the late 2010s .
Plus , there wasn ’ t an urgency to hike rates because inflation was low .
The Fed seemingly had just managed to avoid a recession late 2019 as the economy was recovering in early 2020 .
Then COVID-19 hit and changed everything .
The consumer went from doing better than ever if you blend consumer confidence , debt servicing , and the unemployment rate , to being in deep trouble .
The consumer couldn ’ t handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was and because many in the bottom 50 % weren ’ t in great shape before this .
As you can see from the chart below , the household debt delinquency ratio went from below 12 % which was near the cycle trough to 15 % which is the highest since 2013 .
15 % of households don ’ t expect to be able to make debt payments in the next 3 months .
The hope is jobless claims and an opening of the economy will prevent this rate from getting out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could get higher before it peaks considering the potential for an above 20 % unemployment rate .
Not Everyone Is Getting Unemployment Insurance The thesis that this recession won ’ t become a depression leans on the assumption that small businesses get loans ( which turn into grants ) and the people who have become unemployed get unemployment insurance .
According to a Lending Tree survey , 5 % of small businesses received PPP funds , 35 % didn ’ t , and 61 % are unsure or waiting to hear back .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
43 % said they didn ’ t have issues applying for PPP funds and 26 % said there was inconsistent communication from the bank .
The banks are overwhelmed with people trying to get money .
Add in the fact that this is a new program and you are going to see issues .
23 % of small firms said there was a lack of clarity about required documents and 11 % were unable to easily access required documents .
We aren ’ t in the best situation to find documents .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office and people might not want to leave their house .
Not everyone is getting unemployment insurance even though the benefits were extended to gig economy workers which is a massive deal .
By the way , that could set a precedent for future recessions .
It also could be bad news for employers that pay gig workers .
There has been a long battle over whether they are employees or contractors .
If they are getting unemployment insurance , the employer should have to pay social security and Medicare taxes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely be pushed by progressives and even some conservatives .
Getting back to the main point , some people aren ’ t getting the benefits .
As you can see from the table above , 64.2 % of non-employed people aren ’ t receiving benefits/won ’ t apply .
Some people in this group weren ’ t working , some may have been fired or quit , and some might be working without paying taxes .
The good news is federal payments for unemployment benefits have exploded .
They went from near zero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The peak after the last recession was near $ 4 billion .
The federal government is helping more with these benefits and more people are unemployed than ever .
Debt Will Be An Issue Heading into this recession , many warned corporate debt was too high .
We explained in a previous article , that if you thought debt was too high in 2019 , just wait until 2020 .
The debt will be much higher unless we see a lot of bankruptcies .
As you can see from the chart below , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 the share of total debt to EBITDA that was 6X or higher was the highest since at least 2001 .
Besides being great work from home investments , tech stocks outperformed in this bear market because they mostly have low debt .
The chart below breaks down the sectors most primed for stress in this recession as of the start of the year .
19.1 % of oil and gas high yield debt had credit ratings of CCC/CC .
Oil and gas was in a terrible situation before the added stress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Retail and restaurants were also in trouble with 21 % rated CCC/CC .
Consumers entered the recession with less leverage than then last business cycle which was the peak of the long term debt cycle .
However , many people didn ’ t have emergency savings .
The bottom 50 % wasn ’ t in great shape .
15 % of households expect to be delinquent on their loans in the next 3 months .
Many small businesses haven ’ t gotten PPP money and most people not working won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned about before this recession .
Oil & gas along with retail & restaurants certainly were in bad shape at the start of 2020 .
Now they are in dire straits with many at or near bankruptcy .

by UPFINA
Heading into this recession, consumers were in relatively good shape on a historical basis. They were in dramatically better shape than they were at the end of the last expansion because that was the peak of the long term debt cycle. It’s tough to have as much leverage as there was at the peak of the housing bubble because mortgage debt is by far the biggest liability on the consumer’s balance sheet. The consumer naturally looks good when there are low interest rates along with the lowest unemployment rate in decades. The household debt to GDP ratio in Q4 2019 was 76% which was near the cycle trough which was the lowest rate in at least 14 years. It fell throughout the expansion. Household debt service payments as a percentage of disposable income was 9.7% which was near the cycle low. The cycle trough was the lowest ratio since at least 1980.
Most Americans were not prepared to weather this economic storm, and the damage that is being done to household balance sheets, let alone the damage to their confidence, is going to have long-term negative repercussions on consumption. t.co/jcbtrJNFHk pic.twitter.com/Dnuov7XK6E — Scott Minerd (@ScottMinerd) April 27, 2020
While the consumer didn’t leverage up this cycle like in previous ones, that’s not to say the consumer was impenetrable. 53% of American households had no savings before this recession started. As you can see from the chart above, it took until 2019 for the bottom 50% of households to recover their net worth losses in real terms. It took 10 years of an expansion to recover the money lost. It’s important to understand this nuance.
Overall, consumer debt wasn’t going to cause a recession because it wasn’t unsustainable. However, many people in the bottom 50% were struggling. This is why many progressives pushed the Fed to leave rates low in the 2010s. People without a high school degree were finally starting to do well in the late 2010s. Plus, there wasn’t an urgency to hike rates because inflation was low. The Fed seemingly had just managed to avoid a recession late 2019 as the economy was recovering in early 2020. Then COVID-19 hit and changed everything.
Household Delinquencies Expected To Spike
The consumer went from doing better than ever if you blend consumer confidence, debt servicing, and the unemployment rate, to being in deep trouble. The consumer couldn’t handle this shock because of how deep it was and because many in the bottom 50% weren’t in great shape before this. As you can see from the chart below, the household debt delinquency ratio went from below 12% which was near the cycle trough to 15% which is the highest since 2013.
15 % of American households expect that they will not be able to make debt payments over the next 3 months. @NYFedResearch via natixis and @SoberLook pic.twitter.com/b58QiTuzof — Adam Tooze (@adam_tooze) April 24, 2020
15% of households don’t expect to be able to make debt payments in the next 3 months. The hope is jobless claims and an opening of the economy will prevent this rate from getting out of control. You would think the ratio could get higher before it peaks considering the potential for an above 20% unemployment rate.
Not Everyone Is Getting Unemployment Insurance
The thesis that this recession won’t become a depression leans on the assumption that small businesses get loans (which turn into grants) and the people who have become unemployed get unemployment insurance. According to a Lending Tree survey, 5% of small businesses received PPP funds, 35% didn’t, and 61% are unsure or waiting to hear back. This certainly could have been executed better. 43% said they didn’t have issues applying for PPP funds and 26% said there was inconsistent communication from the bank. The banks are overwhelmed with people trying to get money. Add in the fact that this is a new program and you are going to see issues. 23% of small firms said there was a lack of clarity about required documents and 11% were unable to easily access required documents. We aren’t in the best situation to find documents. For example, documents could be at the office and people might not want to leave their house.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Not everyone is getting unemployment insurance even though the benefits were extended to gig economy workers which is a massive deal. By the way, that could set a precedent for future recessions. It also could be bad news for employers that pay gig workers. There has been a long battle over whether they are employees or contractors. If they are getting unemployment insurance, the employer should have to pay social security and Medicare taxes. It’s basic logic that will likely be pushed by progressives and even some conservatives. Getting back to the main point, some people aren’t getting the benefits.
This table about unemployment insurance is also very interesting. Almost 2/3 of people not working in their sample say they are not receiving UI and won't apply. That's a lot! Highlights that these similar-sounding measures are not the same, potentially many claims still to come. pic.twitter.com/Ub2h89EEEB — Kevin Rinz (@kevinrinz) April 27, 2020
As you can see from the table above, 64.2% of non-employed people aren’t receiving benefits/won’t apply. Some people in this group weren’t working, some may have been fired or quit, and some might be working without paying taxes. The good news is federal payments for unemployment benefits have exploded. They went from near zero to $15.3 billion per week. The peak after the last recession was near $4 billion. The federal government is helping more with these benefits and more people are unemployed than ever.
Debt Will Be An Issue
Heading into this recession, many warned corporate debt was too high. We explained in a previous article, that if you thought debt was too high in 2019, just wait until 2020. The debt will be much higher unless we see a lot of bankruptcies. As you can see from the chart below, partially because of the energy sector, in 2019 the share of total debt to EBITDA that was 6X or higher was the highest since at least 2001.
Besides being great work from home investments, tech stocks outperformed in this bear market because they mostly have low debt. The chart below breaks down the sectors most primed for stress in this recession as of the start of the year.
19.1% of oil and gas high yield debt had credit ratings of CCC/CC. Oil and gas was in a terrible situation before the added stress that was the supply and demand shock. Retail and restaurants were also in trouble with 21% rated CCC/CC.
Conclusion
Consumers entered the recession with less leverage than then last business cycle which was the peak of the long term debt cycle. However, many people didn’t have emergency savings. The bottom 50% wasn’t in great shape. 15% of households expect to be delinquent on their loans in the next 3 months. Many small businesses haven’t gotten PPP money and most people not working won’t get unemployment insurance. Corporate debt was warned about before this recession. Oil & gas along with retail & restaurants certainly were in bad shape at the start of 2020. Now they are in dire straits with many at or near bankruptcy.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Reuters: Boeing eyes major bond issue to raise funds

Boeing has lined up investment banks to potentially market an offering to bond investors in the coming days , provided that market conditions are favorable , the sources said , cautioning that the exact timing and size of the offering had not been decided .
The proceeds could amount to $ 10 billion or more , depending on investor demand , one of the sources added .
Boeing is also examining the funding support available to companies from the Federal Reserve , one of the sources said .
One of Federal Reserve ’ s newly established programs , the Primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support to companies issuing bonds without placing any strict conditions on them , such as limits to dividend payouts or executive compensation .
Calhoun told investors during the company ’ s annual shareholder meeting on Monday that the company would need to borrow more over the next six months .
Credit ratings agency Moody ’ s Investors Service Inc estimated this month that Boeing ’ s funding needs could top $ 30 billion in 2020 .
The company secured about half of this by drawing down on a $ 13.8 billion credit line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Boeing also suspended its dividend .

www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-debt-exclusive/exclusive-boeing-eyes-major-bond-issue-to-raise-funds-sources-idUSKCN22B094
Boeing has lined up investment banks to potentially market an offering to bond investors in the coming days, provided that market conditions are favorable, the sources said, cautioning that the exact timing and size of the offering had not been decided. The proceeds could amount to $10 billion or more, depending on investor demand, one of the sources added.
Boeing is also examining the funding support available to companies from the Federal Reserve, one of the sources said. One of Federal Reserve’s newly established programs, the Primary Market Corporate Credit Facility, will provide support to companies issuing bonds without placing any strict conditions on them, such as limits to dividend payouts or executive compensation.
Calhoun told investors during the company’s annual shareholder meeting on Monday that the company would need to borrow more over the next six months.
Credit ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service Inc estimated this month that Boeing’s funding needs could top $30 billion in 2020. The company secured about half of this by drawing down on a $13.8 billion credit line in March, Moody’s said. Boeing also suspended its dividend.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Illinois is getting downgraded to junk because of teachers who make over $1000 per day, throw them o

Illinois is getting downgraded to junk because of teachers who make over $1000 per day, throw them off of buildings until the pension is balanced.

Illinois could soon be the first state in history to have its bonds rated as “ junk.
” Last month , both Moody ’ s MCO and Standard & Poor ’ s downgraded Illinois debt to just one notch above junk status .
Last week , the Illinois State Senate President Don Harmon ( D-Chicago ) wrote a letter to Congress requesting a $ 41.6 billion bailout .
Critics balked .
In many ways , Illinois may have already crossed the Rubicon .
Our analysis at OpenTheBooks.com shows that an Illinois family of four now owes more in unfunded pension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earn in household income ( $ 63,585 ) .
In a state of 13 million residents , every man , woman , and child owes $ 19,000 — on an estimated $ 251 billion pension liability .
Our auditors discovered 110,000 public employees and retirees who earned more than $ 100,000 last year .
We found tree trimmers in Chicago making $ 106,663 ; nurses at state corrections earning up to $ 277,100 ; junior college presidents making $ 491,095 ; university doctors earning up to $ 2 million ; and 111 small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 50 states ( $ 202,000 ) .
Our interactive mapping tool allows users to quickly review the 110,000 public employees and retirees across Illinois making more than $ 100,000 ( by ZIP code ) .
Just click a pin and scroll down to see the results in your neighborhood rendered in the chart beneath the map .

OPENTHEBOOKS.COM
Illinois could soon be the first state in history to have its bonds rated as “junk.” Last month, both Moody’s MCO and Standard & Poor’s downgraded Illinois debt to just one notch above junk status.
Last week, the Illinois State Senate President Don Harmon (D-Chicago) wrote a letter to Congress requesting a $41.6 billion bailout. Critics balked.
In many ways, Illinois may have already crossed the Rubicon.
Our analysis at OpenTheBooks.com shows that an Illinois family of four now owes more in unfunded pension liabilities ($76,000) than they earn in household income ($63,585). In a state of 13 million residents, every man, woman, and child owes $19,000 — on an estimated $251 billion pension liability.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Our auditors discovered 110,000 public employees and retirees who earned more than $100,000 last year.
We found tree trimmers in Chicago making $106,663; nurses at state corrections earning up to $277,100; junior college presidents making $491,095; university doctors earning up to $2 million; and 111 small town managers who out-earned every governor of the 50 states ($202,000).
Our interactive mapping tool allows users to quickly review the 110,000 public employees and retirees across Illinois making more than $100,000 (by ZIP code). Just click a pin and scroll down to see the results in your neighborhood rendered in the chart beneath the map.
www.forbes.com/sites/adamandrzejewski/2020/04/27/why-illinois-is-in-trouble–109881-public-employees-with-100000-paychecks-cost-taxpayers-14b/amp/


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Despite S&P 500 remaining below the 2/19 peak, number of stocks above their 50-day moving average ha

Despite S&P 500 remaining below the 2/19 peak, number of stocks above their 50-day moving average has just crossed 50%; which was last seen around market’s peak @bloomberg
[Past performance is no guarantee of future results] pic.twitter.com/34FsXGxYwM — Liz Ann Sonders (@LizAnnSonders) April 29, 2020
The Q1 GDP data show that the initial hole from COVID-19 was larger than expected, that the economy was weak heading into it, and consumers were already adjusting their spending behavior on their own. — David Rosenberg (@EconguyRosie) April 29, 2020
Reopening won’t be like flipping on a switch. Barring a miracle cure, people will be afraid to return to the old normal, meaning the V-shaped recovery many once hoped for is a pipe dream t.co/TSDQpXidZN — Bloomberg Opinion (@bopinion) April 29, 2020
$HTZ Hertz Misses Lease Payment, Prepares for Potential Bankruptcy pic.twitter.com/KUQlbsUgal — Tom Flatten The Curve Hearden (@followtheh) April 29, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Gilead Announces Results From Phase 3 Trial of Investigational Antiviral Remdesivir in Patients With

Gilead Announces Results From Phase 3 Trial of Investigational Antiviral Remdesivir in Patients With Severe COVID-19 — Study Demonstrates Similar Efficacy with 5- and 10-Day Dosing Durations of Remdesivir — FOSTER CITY , Calif.– ( BUSINESS WIRE ) –Apr .
29 , 2020– Gilead Sciences , Inc. ( Nasdaq : GILD ) today announced topline results from the open-label , Phase 3 SIMPLE trial evaluating 5-day and 10-day dosing durations of the investigational antiviral remdesivir in hospitalized patients with severe manifestations of COVID-19 disease .
The study demonstrated that patients receiving a 10-day treatment course of remdesivir achieved similar improvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 5-day treatment course ( Odds Ratio : 0.75 [ 95 % CI 0.51 – 1.12 ] on Day 14 ) .
No new safety signals were identified with remdesivir across either treatment group .
Gilead plans to submit the full data for publication in a peer-reviewed journal in the coming weeks .
“ Unlike traditional drug development , we are attempting to evaluate an investigational agent alongside an evolving global pandemic .
Multiple concurrent studies are helping inform whether remdesivir is a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 and how to best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parsey , MD , PhD , Chief Medical Officer , Gilead Sciences .
“ These study results complement data from the placebo-controlled study of remdesivir conducted by the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases and help to determine the optimal duration of treatment with remdesivir .
The study demonstrates the potential for some patients to be treated with a 5-day regimen , which could significantly expand the number of patients who could be treated with our current supply of remdesivir .
This is particularly important in the setting of a pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more patients in urgent need of care.
” Remdesivir is not yet licensed or approved anywhere globally and has not yet been demonstrated to be safe or effective for the treatment of COVID-19 .
This study sought to determine whether a shorter , 5-day course of remdesivir would achieve similar efficacy results as the 10-day treatment regimen used in multiple ongoing studies of remdesivir .
Secondary objectives included rates of adverse events and additional measures of clinical response in both treatment groups .
Patients were required to have evidence of pneumonia and reduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ventilation at the time of study entry .
Clinical improvement was defined as an improvement of two or more points from baseline on a predefined seven-point scale , ranging from hospital discharge to increasing levels of oxygen support to death .
Patients achieved clinical recovery if they no longer required oxygen support and medical care or were discharged from the hospital .
In this study , the time to clinical improvement for 50 percent of patients was 10 days in the 5-day treatment group and 11 days in the 10-day treatment group .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment groups were discharged from the hospital by Day 14 ( 5-day : 60.0 % , n=120/200 vs.10-day : 52.3 % n=103/197 ; p=0.14 ) .
At Day 14 , 64.5 percent ( n=129/200 ) of patients in the 5-day treatment group and 53.8 percent ( n=106/197 ) of patients in the 10-day treatment group achieved clinical recovery .
Clinical outcomes varied by geography .
Outside of Italy , the overall mortality rate at Day 14 was 7 percent ( n=23/320 ) across both treatment groups , with 64 percent ( n=205/320 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 and 61 percent ( n=196/320 ) of patients discharged from the hospital .
In an exploratory analysis , patients in the study who received remdesivir within 10 days of symptom onset had improved outcomes compared with those treated after more than 10 days of symptoms .
Pooling data across treatment arms , by Day 14 , 62 percent of patients treated early were able to be discharged from the hospital , compared with 49 percent of patients who were treated late .
“ These data are encouraging as they indicate that patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of remdesivir experienced similar clinical improvement as patients who received a 10-day treatment course , ” said Aruna Subramanian , MD , Clinical Professor of Medicine , Chief , Immunocompromised Host Infectious Diseases , Stanford University School of Medicine , and one of the lead investigators of the study .
“ While additional data are still needed , these results help to bring a clearer understanding of how treatment with remdesivir may be optimized , if proven safe and effective.
” Remdesivir was generally well-tolerated in both the 5-day and 10-day treatment groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in more than 10 percent of patients in either group were nausea ( 5-day : 10.0 % , n=20/200 vs. 10-day : 8.6 % , n=17/197 ) and acute respiratory failure ( 5-day : 6.0 % , n=12/200 vs. 10-day : 10.7 % , n= 21/197 ) .
Grade 3 or higher liver enzyme ( ALT ) elevations occurred in 7.3 percent ( n=28/385 ) of patients , with 3.0 percent ( n=12/397 ) of patients discontinuing remdesivir treatment due to elevated liver tests .
Key efficacy and safety results from the study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gilead initiated two randomized , open-label , multi-center Phase 3 clinical trials for remdesivir , the SIMPLE studies , in countries with high prevalence of COVID-19 infection .
The first SIMPLE trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of 5-day and 10-day dosing regimens of remdesivir in hospitalized patients with severe manifestations of COVID-19 .
The initial phase of the study randomized 397 patients in a 1:1 ratio to receive remdesivir 200 mg on the first day , followed by remdesivir 100 mg each day until day 5 or 10 , administered intravenously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An expansion phase of the study was recently added and will enroll an additional 5,600 patients , including patients on mechanical ventilation .
The study is being conducted at 180 trial sites around the world , including sites in the United States , China , France , Germany , Hong Kong , Italy , Japan , Korea , the Netherlands , Singapore , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , Taiwan and the United Kingdom .
A second SIMPLE trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of 5-day and 10-day dosing durations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manifestations of COVID-19 , compared with standard of care .
The results from the first 600 patients of this study are expected at the end of May .
I think TL ; DR are biased depending on how you interpret but I ’ ll summarize what I gather : • Market takes this as very positive news • Trial suggests that 5-day and 10-day treatments have similar results ; therefore if remdesivir is proven to be effective then patients recover sooner • There was no control group • Study was conducted at 180 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • The drug is yet to be proven safe or effective • The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ( NIAD ) conducted a different study with a control group , but the results are yet to be released .
This study is more important .
• Gilead has other trials/studies and results will be released end of May

by BaunDorn
Press Release
Gilead Announces Results From Phase 3 Trial of Investigational Antiviral Remdesivir in Patients With Severe COVID-19
April 29, 2020 at 8:35 AM EDT PDF Version
— Study Demonstrates Similar Efficacy with 5- and 10-Day Dosing Durations of Remdesivir —
FOSTER CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apr. 29, 2020– Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced topline results from the open-label, Phase 3 SIMPLE trial evaluating 5-day and 10-day dosing durations of the investigational antiviral remdesivir in hospitalized patients with severe manifestations of COVID-19 disease. The study demonstrated that patients receiving a 10-day treatment course of remdesivir achieved similar improvement in clinical status compared with those taking a 5-day treatment course (Odds Ratio: 0.75 [95% CI 0.51 – 1.12] on Day 14). No new safety signals were identified with remdesivir across either treatment group. Gilead plans to submit the full data for publication in a peer-reviewed journal in the coming weeks.
“Unlike traditional drug development, we are attempting to evaluate an investigational agent alongside an evolving global pandemic. Multiple concurrent studies are helping inform whether remdesivir is a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 and how to best utilize the drug,” said Merdad Parsey, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Gilead Sciences. “These study results complement data from the placebo-controlled study of remdesivir conducted by the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases and help to determine the optimal duration of treatment with remdesivir. The study demonstrates the potential for some patients to be treated with a 5-day regimen, which could significantly expand the number of patients who could be treated with our current supply of remdesivir. This is particularly important in the setting of a pandemic, to help hospitals and healthcare workers treat more patients in urgent need of care.”
Remdesivir is not yet licensed or approved anywhere globally and has not yet been demonstrated to be safe or effective for the treatment of COVID-19. This study sought to determine whether a shorter, 5-day course of remdesivir would achieve similar efficacy results as the 10-day treatment regimen used in multiple ongoing studies of remdesivir. Secondary objectives included rates of adverse events and additional measures of clinical response in both treatment groups. Patients were required to have evidence of pneumonia and reduced oxygen levels that did not require mechanical ventilation at the time of study entry. Clinical improvement was defined as an improvement of two or more points from baseline on a predefined seven-point scale, ranging from hospital discharge to increasing levels of oxygen support to death. Patients achieved clinical recovery if they no longer required oxygen support and medical care or were discharged from the hospital.
In this study, the time to clinical improvement for 50 percent of patients was 10 days in the 5-day treatment group and 11 days in the 10-day treatment group. More than half of patients in both treatment groups were discharged from the hospital by Day 14 (5-day: 60.0%, n=120/200 vs.10-day: 52.3% n=103/197; p=0.14). At Day 14, 64.5 percent (n=129/200) of patients in the 5-day treatment group and 53.8 percent (n=106/197) of patients in the 10-day treatment group achieved clinical recovery.
Clinical outcomes varied by geography. Outside of Italy, the overall mortality rate at Day 14 was 7 percent (n=23/320) across both treatment groups, with 64 percent (n=205/320) of patients experiencing clinical improvement at Day 14 and 61 percent (n=196/320) of patients discharged from the hospital.
Impact of Earlier Treatment
In an exploratory analysis, patients in the study who received remdesivir within 10 days of symptom onset had improved outcomes compared with those treated after more than 10 days of symptoms. Pooling data across treatment arms, by Day 14, 62 percent of patients treated early were able to be discharged from the hospital, compared with 49 percent of patients who were treated late.
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“These data are encouraging as they indicate that patients who received a shorter, 5-day course of remdesivir experienced similar clinical improvement as patients who received a 10-day treatment course,” said Aruna Subramanian, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Chief, Immunocompromised Host Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, and one of the lead investigators of the study. “While additional data are still needed, these results help to bring a clearer understanding of how treatment with remdesivir may be optimized, if proven safe and effective.”
Remdesivir was generally well-tolerated in both the 5-day and 10-day treatment groups. The most common adverse events occurring in more than 10 percent of patients in either group were nausea (5-day: 10.0%, n=20/200 vs. 10-day: 8.6%, n=17/197) and acute respiratory failure (5-day: 6.0%, n=12/200 vs. 10-day: 10.7%, n= 21/197). Grade 3 or higher liver enzyme (ALT) elevations occurred in 7.3 percent (n=28/385) of patients, with 3.0 percent (n=12/397) of patients discontinuing remdesivir treatment due to elevated liver tests.
Key efficacy and safety results from the study are included in the table below.

Clinical Efficacy Outcomes at Day 14 5-Day RDV n=200 10-Day RDV n=197 Baseline Adj. p-value ≥ 2-point improvement in ordinal scale 129 (65) 107 (54) 0.16 Clinical recovery 129 (65) 106 (54) 0.17 Discharge 120 (60) 103 (52) 0.44 Death 16 (8) 21 (11) 0.70 Safety Any adverse event (AE) 141 (71) 145 (74) 0.86 Grade ≥3 study drug-related AE 8 (4 10 (5) 0.65 Study drug-related serious adverse event (SAE) 3 (2) 4 (2) 0.73 AE leading to discontinuation 9 (5) 20 (10) 0.07
About the SIMPLE Trials
Gilead initiated two randomized, open-label, multi-center Phase 3 clinical trials for remdesivir, the SIMPLE studies, in countries with high prevalence of COVID-19 infection.
The first SIMPLE trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of 5-day and 10-day dosing regimens of remdesivir in hospitalized patients with severe manifestations of COVID-19. The initial phase of the study randomized 397 patients in a 1:1 ratio to receive remdesivir 200 mg on the first day, followed by remdesivir 100 mg each day until day 5 or 10, administered intravenously, in addition to standard of care. An expansion phase of the study was recently added and will enroll an additional 5,600 patients, including patients on mechanical ventilation. The study is being conducted at 180 trial sites around the world, including sites in the United States, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
A second SIMPLE trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of 5-day and 10-day dosing durations of remdesivir administered intravenously in patients with moderate manifestations of COVID-19, compared with standard of care. The results from the first 600 patients of this study are expected at the end of May.
investors.gilead.com/news-releases/news-release-details/gilead-announces-results-phase-3-trial-investigational-antiviral
I think TL;DR are biased depending on how you interpret but I’ll summarize what I gather:
Market takes this as very positive news Trial suggests that 5-day and 10-day treatments have similar results; therefore if remdesivir is proven to be effective then patients recover sooner There was no control group Study was conducted at 180 sites in many countries around the world The drug is yet to be proven safe or effective
In the news:
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAD) conducted a different study with a control group, but the results are yet to be released. This study is more important. Gilead has other trials/studies and results will be released end of May


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Chris Whalen: Mortgage Defaults May Be Worse than 2008-2009… Goldmans Still Committed to the Strengt

Chris Whalen: Mortgage Defaults May Be Worse than 2008-2009… Goldmans Still Committed to the Strength in Equities Being a Bear Market Rally

Chris Whalen , Whalen Global Advisors Chairman and author of The Institutional Risk Analyst , recently spoke with Mortgage Media @ @ @ @ @ that permits mortgage borrowers who ’ s mortgage is backed by the Fannie Mae , @ @ @ @ @ Mae to postpone mortgage payments for up to 12 months ( mortgage forbearance ) .
@ @ @ @ @ of mortgage markets , Mr. Whalen notes that , in addition to government backed loans @ @ @ @ @ lenders to offer forbearance on non-government mortgages and even auto loans .
He also fears @ @ @ @ @ substantially worse than in 2008 and 2009 and that , ultimately , investors and lenders @ @ @ @ @ Enjoy the discussion below .

Chris Whalen: Mortgage Defaults May Be Worse than 2008-2009t.co/Tp8TInAXfg — The Sounding Line (@TapsCoogan) April 29, 2020
Chris Whalen, Whalen Global Advisors Chairman and author of The Institutional Risk Analyst, recently spoke with Mortgage Media about the CARES Act stipulation that permits mortgage borrowers who’s mortgage is backed by the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Ginnie Mae to postpone mortgage payments for up to 12 months (mortgage forbearance). In a somewhat technical discussion of mortgage markets, Mr. Whalen notes that, in addition to government backed loans, regulators are pressuring private lenders to offer forbearance on non-government mortgages and even auto loans. He also fears that lending defaults to be substantially worse than in 2008 and 2009 and that, ultimately, investors and lenders will absorb the loss. Enjoy the discussion below.
📈💥📉 Goldmans still committed to the strength in equities being a Bear Market Rally SPX 3mth Target 2400 pic.twitter.com/lY6eSzZXe5 — PiQ (@PriapusIQ) April 29, 2020
Coronavirus calamity: GDP sinks 4.8% in the first quarter to mark the biggest drop since 2008 – but the second quarter could see a record plunge (-25% to -40%.) t.co/hiCmW6kokO pic.twitter.com/diSWUbav2b — MarketWatch Economy (@MKTWeconomics) April 29, 2020
New @CenterOnBudget projections: states are facing *$650B* in budget shortfalls over 3 years. Rainy day funds won't even come close; states need much more aid from the feds to prevent deep cuts that will harm families & communities and slow the recovery t.co/siquKk1hPV pic.twitter.com/oGXDn9MdcW — Jon Whiten (@WhitenJon) April 29, 2020
KUDLOW SAYS HE THINKS LIQUIDITY AND CASH PHASE OF POLICIES TO HELP ECONOMY IS COMING TO AN END — *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaOne) April 29, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Amazon, Walmart, FedEx workers plan walkout on Friday.

Workers from corporations are planning a walkout Friday , including employees from Amazon , Walmart and FedEx .
The workers @ @ @ @ @ safety standards as well as hazard pay while working during the coronavirus pandemic .
Former @ @ @ @ @ shared a flyer on Twitter last week that included other prominent company names participating in @ @ @ @ @ , such as Instacart , Target and Whole Foods , according to a report from @ @ @

Workers from corporations are planning a walkout Friday, including employees from Amazon, Walmart and FedEx.
The workers are seeking better health and safety standards as well as hazard pay while working during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Former Amazon employee Christian Smalls, shared a flyer on Twitter last week that included other prominent company names participating in the demonstration on May 1, such as Instacart, Target and Whole Foods, according to a report from The Intercept.
Email Chrismalls21@gmail.com it’s time to join up! Protect all workers at all cost we are not expandable or replaceable enough is enough TAKE THE POWER BACK! #techsolidarity #solidarity #ChrisSmalls pic.twitter.com/7UKyS1mgtV — Christian Smalls (@Shut_downAmazon) April 22, 2020
thehill.com/homenews/news/495061-amazon-walmart-fedex-workers-plan-walkout-on-friday-report


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--“95% of companies who have applied for PPP funding are still waiting…as a result 58% of small busine

“95% of companies who have applied for PPP funding are still waiting…as a result 58% of small businesses have pushed through with layoffs. I think the best case scenario is a ‘U'”

`` 95 % of companies who have applied for PPP funding are still waiting…as a result 58 % of small @ @ @ @ @ layoffs .
I think the best case scenario is a ' U ' '' @ @ @ @ @ @ t.co/OJINiAWgMY t.co/J0dVfZuCk8

"95% of companies who have applied for PPP funding are still waiting…as a result 58% of small businesses have pushed through with layoffs. I think the best case scenario is a 'U'"@DiMartinoBooth with #StuartVarney — t.co/OJINiAWgMY t.co/J0dVfZuCk8
— Danielle DiMartino Booth (@DiMartinoBooth) April 28, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--The recent rally in precious metals is only the beginning.

The recent rally in precious metals is only the beginning .
pic.twitter.com/C7eQnnsORO The largest and longest cup & handle I @ @ @ @ @ price adjusted for inflation since the 70s .
Thanks for having me again @ PalisadeRadio @ @ @ @ @ were 20 % of Japan 's total equity market in 7/2007 .
Gold in JPY @ @ @ @ @ were barely up .
The Fed is in BOJ 's 2007 position , but US @ @ @ @ @ .

Gold price adjusted for inflation since the 70s. The largest and longest cup & handle I have ever seen. The recent rally in precious metals is only the beginning. pic.twitter.com/C7eQnnsORO — Otavio (Tavi) Costa (@TaviCosta) April 26, 2020
Buy gold & sell stocks. Thanks for having me again @PalisadeRadio t.co/5B0D8CT6EJ — Otavio (Tavi) Costa (@TaviCosta) April 26, 2020
Validation. BOJ's total assets were 20% of Japan's total equity market in 7/2007. It’s now 108%. During that time: Gold in JPY rallied 130% and stocks were barely up. The Fed is in BOJ's 2007 position, but US stocks are absurdly more overvalued. Buy gold & sell stocks. pic.twitter.com/CtDIj5PIkj — Otavio (Tavi) Costa (@TaviCosta) April 26, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--This is the most corrupt market ever- read the Gilead study, oh wait, you can’t because do actual da

This is the most corrupt market ever- read the Gilead study, oh wait, you can’t because do actual data was released outside of one number. This is straight lies to cover up the -4.8% GDP blowing past -3.5% expected.

Here ’ s the link to the trial , which still hasn ’ t been completed and verified .
Here @ @ @ @ @ shows the only hard numbers coming out are that of the 6000 patients , 52 @ @ @ @ @ hospital , 53 % show clinical recovery .
There was no control group , so @ @ @ @ @ the discharge rates were for people outside of Remdesivir .
Now tell me how that @ @ @ @ @ to drive past the worst GDP number we ’ ve had in years ?
That @ @ @ @ @ expectations , and will require economists to forecast further damage to the economy ?
Disclaimer @ @ @ @ @ post and it doesn ’ t necessarily represent the views of IWB .

by kafkagoeswest
Here’s the link to the trial, which still hasn’t been completed and verified. Here’s a source that shows the only hard numbers coming out are that of the 6000 patients, 52% were discharged from the hospital, 53% show clinical recovery. There was no control group, so we have no idea what the discharge rates were for people outside of Remdesivir.
Now tell me how that is the positive news enough to drive past the worst GDP number we’ve had in years? That blew by the already terrible expectations, and will require economists to forecast further damage to the economy?
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This is clown world. SPY 9000 6/20
Disclaimer: This is a guest post and it doesn’t necessarily represent the views of IWB.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Present situation had its largest decline ever, but future expectations actually improved.  Long-ter

Present situation had its largest decline ever, but future expectations actually improved.  Long-term confidence hasn’t cracked yet.

Present situation had its largest decline ever , but future expectations actually improved .
Barrons big money poll looks the @ @ @ @ @ of investors are bearish for 2021 .
The `` In Fed We Trust '' mentality @ @ @ @

Mind the gap.
Present situation had its largest decline ever, but future expectations actually improved.
Long-term confidence hasn't cracked yet.
Barrons big money poll looks the same:
Only 4% of investors are bearish for 2021.
The "In Fed We Trust" mentality remains strong. pic.twitter.com/gGJdLeo3cc
— Otavio (Tavi) Costa (@TaviCosta) April 28, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--The Ultimate Guide to Doing Taxes for the First Time

First time filing your taxes ?
It doesn ’ t have to be a disaster !
With a basic understanding of the system and some general knowledge on the details and implications , you can get through filing your taxes without losing sleep .
Take the time to familiarize yourself with the process now , and you ’ ll find it easier and easier with every tax season .
Who has to file ?
Before you start feeling anxious about doing your taxes , make sure you are definitely required to !
As a first-timer , you might not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to complete a report , or you may be exempt due to your age or filing status .
If your gross income was under $ 12,200 , for example , you might not be required to complete an income tax report , so it ’ s a good idea to make sure .
However , even if you ’ re convinced you don ’ t have to file , you might want to consider doing so nonetheless , as you may be eligible for a refund .
The three main ways of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time are : manually completing IRS Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR , electronically filing using tax software or hiring the services of a tax preparer .
No matter how you plan to file your taxes , the first step you must take is gathering the necessary information .
The three main things you need to get out are proof of income , deductible expenses , and evidence of taxes already paid during the year .
This looks like : • None Evidence of other taxes paid such as state and local taxes or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form you have to be concerned with .
It is the form used to report income , set out claims for deductions and credits , and calculate your annual tax refund or bill .
Depending on your individual situation , you may have to add up to 6 schedules or sheets onto the standard 1040 Form , which is often where things get complicated .
Perhaps you ’ re feeling confident about filing for the first time , in which case , congratulations !
Perhaps you ’ re pretty confident but want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % sure .
Or , perhaps you ’ re feeling completely lost and are in serious need of some clarification .
Around 80 % of people make errors in their tax returns .
You can find a lot of information online , but if you want to be certain that your first time filing taxes goes well , it might be a good idea to hire a tax preparer .
As well as guiding you through the process , soliciting the services of a tax preparer now can assure you are confident and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season .
Click here to learn more .
However you decide to file your taxes for the first time , it ’ s always a good idea to be well organized , get informed about your own situation and if necessary , enlist the help of a professional to help your first time go smoothly .
Disclaimer : This content does not necessarily represent the views of IWB .

First time filing your taxes? It doesn’t have to be a disaster! With a basic understanding of the system and some general knowledge on the details and implications, you can get through filing your taxes without losing sleep. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the process now, and you’ll find it easier and easier with every tax season.
Who has to file?
Before you start feeling anxious about doing your taxes, make sure you are definitely required to! As a first-timer, you might not have actually fulfilled the income threshold that obliges you to complete a report, or you may be exempt due to your age or filing status. If your gross income was under $12,200, for example, you might not be required to complete an income tax report, so it’s a good idea to make sure. However, even if you’re convinced you don’t have to file, you might want to consider doing so nonetheless, as you may be eligible for a refund.
How to file?
The three main ways of filing your tax return for the first time are: manually completing IRS Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR, electronically filing using tax software or hiring the services of a tax preparer.
Getting started
No matter how you plan to file your taxes, the first step you must take is gathering the necessary information. The three main things you need to get out are proof of income, deductible expenses, and evidence of taxes already paid during the year.
This looks like:
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Social Security number
W-2 form(s) from your employer
Any 1099 form(s)
Evidence of retirement payments
Bills and receipts
Evidence of other taxes paid such as state and local taxes or property tax
Form 1040
Form 1040 is the main form you have to be concerned with. It is the form used to report income, set out claims for deductions and credits, and calculate your annual tax refund or bill. Depending on your individual situation, you may have to add up to 6 schedules or sheets onto the standard 1040 Form, which is often where things get complicated.
Should you seek advice?
Perhaps you’re feeling confident about filing for the first time, in which case, congratulations! Perhaps you’re pretty confident but want to consult a professional just to make 100% sure. Or, perhaps you’re feeling completely lost and are in serious need of some clarification. Around 80% of people make errors in their tax returns.
You can find a lot of information online, but if you want to be certain that your first time filing taxes goes well, it might be a good idea to hire a tax preparer. As well as guiding you through the process, soliciting the services of a tax preparer now can assure you are confident and informed for next year’s tax season. Click here to learn more.
However you decide to file your taxes for the first time, it’s always a good idea to be well organized, get informed about your own situation and if necessary, enlist the help of a professional to help your first time go smoothly.
Disclaimer: This content does not necessarily represent the views of IWB.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Tucker goes on an absolute tear about how the U.S. has quickly devolved into a Chinese-style dystopi

Tucker goes on an absolute tear about how the U.S. has quickly devolved into a Chinese-style dystopian nightmare.

“ We have big companies partnering with the government to spy on you without your knowledge .
Americans locked in @ @ @ @ @ to church , placated with sedatives like beer and weed .
Anyone who speaks up @ @ @ @ @ are illegal and organizers arrested .
Only opinions approved by leaders are allowed on information @ @ @

“We have big companies partnering with the government to spy on you without your knowledge. Americans locked in their homes banned from going to church, placated with sedatives like beer and weed. Anyone who speaks up is silenced and political demonstrations are illegal and organizers arrested. Only opinions approved by leaders are allowed on information platforms.”
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Ted Cruz: “ YouTube & Google should NOT have the power to censor speech—partularly on critical issue

Ted Cruz: “ YouTube & Google should NOT have the power to censor speech—partularly on critical issues of concern. The doctors’ views here aren’t fraud. If YouTube disagrees, argue ON THE MERITS. Don’t abuse monopoly power…

YouTube & Google should NOT have the power to censor speech—partularly on critical issues of concern .
The doctors ’ @ @ @ @ @ fraud .
If YouTube disagrees , argue ON THE MERITS .
Don ’ t abuse @ @ @ @ @ immunity—to become speech police .
t.co/AIVaSn5K4z

YouTube & Google should NOT have the power to censor speech—partularly on critical issues of concern. The doctors’ views here aren’t fraud. If YouTube disagrees, argue ON THE MERITS. Don’t abuse monopoly power—and special congressional liability immunity—to become speech police. t.co/AIVaSn5K4z
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 29, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--USC Professor Joel Hay says there is no scientific proof social distancing prevents spread of COVID-

USC Professor Joel Hay says there is no scientific proof social distancing prevents spread of COVID-19

An increasing number of professionals are now coming to the conclusion that the economic lockdown did not have an effect @ @ @ @ @ a gross mistake with bad social consequences yet to be experienced .
“ …this [ @ @ @ @ @ of lives , and killing about a hundred people for every one it ostensibly saves @

An increasing number of professionals are now coming to the conclusion that the economic lockdown did not have an effect on COVID19 spread and was a gross mistake with bad social consequences yet to be experienced.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
“…this [lock-down] is destroying millions of lives, and killing about a hundred people for every one it ostensibly saves”
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--USS Bunker Hill Conducts 2nd South China Sea Freedom of Navigation Operation This Week, Australia ha

USS Bunker Hill Conducts 2nd South China Sea Freedom of Navigation Operation This Week, Australia has enraged China after backing Trump…

Guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill ( CG-52 ) conducted a freedom of navigation operation through the Spratly Island chain in the South China Sea , U.S. 7th Fleet announced on Wednesday .
According to a statement from the Navy , the cruiser tested excessive maritime claims of China , Vietnam and Taiwan .
All three countries have overlapping claims in the contested island chain .
Bunker Hill , without prior notification , conducted an innocent passage past an unspecified feature in the Spratly chain .
Under international maritime law , a warship can move through a country ’ s territorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t conduct any military operations .
“ Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas , including the freedoms of navigation and overflight and the right of innocent passage of all ships , ” read the statement from U.S. 7th Fleet .
“ This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights , freedoms , and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging the restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China , Vietnam and Taiwan.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China after backing calls for a global investigation into the origins of the coronavirus outbreak .
Morrison on Wednesday defended his calls for an investigation into how the pandemic started , describing it a “ very reasonable and sensible course of action.
” “ This is a virus that has taken more than 200,000 lives across the world , ” Morrison told reporters in Australia ’ s capital , Canberra .
“ It has shut down the global economy .
The implications and impacts of this are extraordinary.
” He added : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sensible that the world would want to have an independent assessment of how this all occurred , so we can learn the lessons and prevent it from happening again .
”

Guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) conducted a freedom of navigation operation through the Spratly Island chain in the South China Sea, U.S. 7th Fleet announced on Wednesday.
According to a statement from the Navy, the cruiser tested excessive maritime claims of China, Vietnam and Taiwan. All three countries have overlapping claims in the contested island chain.
Bunker Hill, without prior notification, conducted an innocent passage past an unspecified feature in the Spratly chain. Under international maritime law, a warship can move through a country’s territorial sea without notification as long as it doesn’t conduct any military operations.
“Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight and the right of innocent passage of all ships,” read the statement from U.S. 7th Fleet.
“This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging the restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan.”
news.usni.org/2020/04/29/uss-bunker-hill-conducts-2nd-south-china-sea-freedom-of-navigation-operation-this-week
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has enraged China after backing calls for a global investigation into the origins of the coronavirus outbreak.
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Morrison on Wednesday defended his calls for an investigation into how the pandemic started, describing it a “very reasonable and sensible course of action.”
“This is a virus that has taken more than 200,000 lives across the world,” Morrison told reporters in Australia’s capital, Canberra. “It has shut down the global economy. The implications and impacts of this are extraordinary.”
He added: “Now, it would seem entirely reasonable and sensible that the world would want to have an independent assessment of how this all occurred, so we can learn the lessons and prevent it from happening again.”
www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-australia-wants-investigation-into-china-role-in-pandemic-2020-4
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Well, this is what you get when you hire from Buzzfeed. Still this is potentially criminal.

A Financial Times reporter has been suspended after the Independent accused him of listening in on sensitive Zoom meetings held by its senior managers telling staff about salary cuts and furloughs .
Mark Di Stefano , who joined the FT from BuzzFeed in January , has been accused of listening to the audio feed of video conference calls held by the Independent and its sister title the Evening Standard about responding to the financial impact of coronavirus .
In each case Di Stefano , a prolific tweeter with more than 100,000 followers , broke the news of the meetings on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were being informed .
A story on the measures being introduced by the Evening Standard , which is edited by the former chancellor George Osborne , was subsequently published by the FT. A summary of the cuts at the online-only Independent was published in the FT ’ s daily live blog .
The Independent claimed Zoom log files showed an account registered to Di Stefano ’ s FT.com email address joined the video call for Independent staff last week for 16 seconds .
The caller ’ s video was disabled , but some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on screen before he left the meeting .
Minutes later a separate account joined the call , this time unnamed , the Independent said .
It claimed the caller remained in audio-only mode with a black square displayed to journalists on the video call .
The anonymous user account , which remained in the meeting until the end , was later shown to be linked to a mobile phone used by the same FT reporter .

#JOURNALISM: FT suspends journalist accused of listening to rival outlets’ Zoom calls.
A Financial Times reporter has been suspended after the Independent accused him of listening in on sensitive Zoom meetings held by its senior managers telling staff about salary cuts and furloughs.
Mark Di Stefano, who joined the FT from BuzzFeed in January, has been accused of listening to the audio feed of video conference calls held by the Independent and its sister title the Evening Standard about responding to the financial impact of coronavirus.
In each case Di Stefano, a prolific tweeter with more than 100,000 followers, broke the news of the meetings on Twitter at the same time as staff were being informed.
A story on the measures being introduced by the Evening Standard, which is edited by the former chancellor George Osborne, was subsequently published by the FT. A summary of the cuts at the online-only Independent was published in the FT’s daily live blog.
The Independent claimed Zoom log files showed an account registered to Di Stefano’s FT.com email address joined the video call for Independent staff last week for 16 seconds.
The caller’s video was disabled, but some journalists apparently saw his name flash briefly on screen before he left the meeting.
Minutes later a separate account joined the call, this time unnamed, the Independent said. It claimed the caller remained in audio-only mode with a black square displayed to journalists on the video call.
The anonymous user account, which remained in the meeting until the end, was later shown to be linked to a mobile phone used by the same FT reporter.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-29--Disturbing video shows how extensive NYC subway homeless problem is

The 2 train looked more like a shanty town Tuesday morning , as homeless continue to seek shelter in the transit system amid the coronavirus outbreak , according to video shot by a disgusted subway conductor .
“ I got to send this to the governor , let him see this s–t , ” conductor Torry Chalmers can be heard saying as he walks from car to car lined with people sleeping , many with piles of boxes , bags and luggage .
“ This is what I got ta do .
I got ta go to work in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not making any sense .
It ’ s nasty , nasty , ” Chalmers , a 25-year veteran from the Bronx , told The Post the issue of subterranean homelessness has escalated in recent weeks .
Now , “ [ t ] here could be seven homeless spread out in each car .
They trash the train — it ’ s too many of them and every day it ’ s getting worse , ” said Chalmers , 48 , whose video is making the rounds on social media .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope and pray there aren ’ t a lot of homeless people , ” he said , adding that he sees the look of fright in wary passengers .
“ People are scared when the train comes in the station .
If one car looks bad , they ’ ll run to another — but it ’ s the same problem in every car .
”

The 2 train looked more like a shanty town Tuesday morning, as homeless continue to seek shelter in the transit system amid the coronavirus outbreak, according to video shot by a disgusted subway conductor.
“I got to send this to the governor, let him see this s–t,” conductor Torry Chalmers can be heard saying as he walks from car to car lined with people sleeping, many with piles of boxes, bags and luggage.
“This is what I gotta do. I gotta go to work in this,” Chambers says. “It’s not making any sense. It’s nasty, nasty,”
Chalmers, a 25-year veteran from the Bronx, told The Post the issue of subterranean homelessness has escalated in recent weeks.
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Now, “[t]here could be seven homeless spread out in each car. They trash the train — it’s too many of them and every day it’s getting worse,” said Chalmers, 48, whose video is making the rounds on social media.
“I get on the train and and hope and pray there aren’t a lot of homeless people,” he said, adding that he sees the look of fright in wary passengers.
“People are scared when the train comes in the station. If one car looks bad, they’ll run to another — but it’s the same problem in every car.”
nypost.com/2020/04/28/video-shows-how-extensive-nyc-subway-homeless-problem-is/