ImmunityBio: From Zero to Hero (and Back?)

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Alright, folks, gather ’round! Let’s talk about ImmunityBio (IBRX 12.13%). Now, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill biotech. Oh no. This is a company that’s been doing the financial equivalent of a pratfall – down 83% since its 2015 IPO, then suddenly… whoosh! Up 207.14% in a month. It’s like watching a penguin attempt the high jump. Unexpected, and frankly, a little bit terrifying. Friday saw a 12.13% dip to $6.45, but don’t panic! That’s just the market saying, “Hold your horses! Let’s see if this thing can actually fly.” Trading volume? A whopping 74.6 million shares. That’s enough activity to give a Wall Street trader a serious case of carpal tunnel.

How the Markets Did Today (Because Someone Has to Keep Score)

The broader markets were about as exciting as watching paint dry. The S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.03%) inched up 0.03% to 6,915, and the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC +0.28%) managed a slightly more impressive 0.28% rise to 23,501. Meanwhile, Merck (MRK 0.98%) and BioNTech (BNTX 2.10%) were down slightly. Apparently, even in the world of cutting-edge science, volatility is the only constant. It’s enough to drive a sensible investor to drink… chamomile tea, of course.

What Does This All Mean for You, the Discerning Investor?

So, ImmunityBio. What’s the deal? Well, it seems profit-taking is the name of the game today. After a month of soaring, some folks decided to cash in their chips. Perfectly understandable. But there’s more to this story than just a quick buck. The FDA is considering resubmitting their Anktiva bladder cancer therapy application, and the Saudi FDA already approved it. That’s right, folks, they’re selling cancer drugs in Saudi Arabia! Who knew?

Last week, their full-year results beat expectations – a net profit of $113 million, up 700% year-on-year. That’s not just a win, that’s a landslide. And get this: 19 out of 23 patients with glioblastoma receiving Anktiva are still alive. Now, I’m no doctor, but that sounds… good. They haven’t figured out the median overall survival yet, but hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Analysts at H.C. Wainwright are raising their price targets, which is always a good sign. And the short sellers? Oh, the short sellers! They’re down around $492 million. Serves them right! Trying to bet against a company that’s defying gravity? That’s like betting against a magician. You’re just asking for trouble. I suspect there’s a lot of frantic re-evaluation happening on Wall Street right now. Possibly involving a lot of strong coffee and even stronger language.

Now, I’m not saying this is a guaranteed home run. But it’s definitely a stock worth watching. It’s a bit like a vaudeville act – unpredictable, a little bit messy, but potentially very entertaining. And in the world of investing, sometimes that’s all you can ask for. Just remember, folks, don’t invest any money you can’t afford to lose. Unless you have a time machine. Then, by all means, go wild.

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2026-01-24 01:42