Regulus Was Last Week’s Top Biotech Performer
How Did Biotech ETFs and Stocks Perform Last Week?
How XBI performed compared to other biotech ETFs
In the week ended November 6, 2015, most days of the week were flat. However, on November 2, 2015, the markets saw some upswing. Of the biotech ETFs, the SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) was the best performer for the week with a gain of 6.1%. The Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) was the worst performer with a return of 0.55%.
The above graph shows a comparative analysis of different biotech ETFs with the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) on a week-over-week-basis. Since the week ended October 23, 2015, XBI and the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) are the two best performers with a return of 7.0% and 5.0%, respectively. The performance was driven by some good earnings reports along with some successful clinical trials in the mid-cap and small-cap spaces. The worst performer has been the iShares US Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF) with a return of -1%. IHF underperformed mainly due to the mediocre 3Q15 results from some of its holdings.
Regulus was the top performer with gains of 44.5%
Regulus Therapeutics (RGLS) was the top performer of the week with a return of 44.5%. RGLS reported a net loss of $13 million in 3Q15 compared to a net loss of $9.8 million for 3Q14. The net loss widened mainly due to an increase in operating expenses and a decrease in other income components. However, it reported revenue of $1.9 million as compared to $1.1 million in 3Q14. The increase in revenue and the clinical trial collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to evaluate its HCV combination regimen might have excited investors. For the week, its trading volume was 1.1 million shares per day.
The other top performers for the week are Amicus Therapeutics (FOLD) and Lexicon Pharmaceuticals (LXRX), which returned 42.3% and 37.1% for the week ended November 6, 2015, respectively.
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